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NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Extend Unbeaten Streak to Three Games with 1-1 Draw Against Houston Dash at Providence Park

April 15, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Thorns FC extended their unbeaten streak to start the season to three games with a 1-1 draw against the Houston Dash at Providence Park on Friday night. Crystal Dunn struck first for Thorns FC with a ninth-minute goal, but Houston responded with the equalizer shortly after to see both sides split points. Portland will play its first match of the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup in a midweek road matchup against San Diego Wave FC at Snapdragon Stadium on Wednesday, April 19. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. (Pacific) with a stream available on Paramount+.

Dynamic Duo

Dunn registered her second goal of the season with goals in back-to-back matches. The goal marked Dunn's third with Thorns FC (including playoffs) and the 35th of her NWSL career. It was Dunn's first goal in regular season play at Providence Park. Including playoffs, Dunn has scored two goals in Portland's last three home matches. Dunn has scored eight career goals against the Dash - the most against any opponent in her NWSL career. Sophia Smith tallied her league-leading second assist of the 2023 campaign. The 22-year-old striker has made a goal contribution in every game this season, totaling four goals and two assists through three matches. Smith's six goal contributions (4g, 2a) are the most by any player through three matches of a season in NWSL history. Dating back to the 2022 NWSL season, Smith has registered eight goals and three assists in her last eight appearances for Thorns FC. In Portland's last two matches against Houston, Smith has recorded two goals and two assists.

Strong Start

Through three matches in the 2023 campaign, Portland is unbeaten (2-0-1, 7pts) and has outscored its opponents 9-2 for a league-best goal differential of seven. Five different players have scored at least one goal for Thorns FC this season which is two more players than any other team, and four different players have tallied at least one assist for Portland which is also two more players than any other team. Thorns FC have registered 68 shots through their first three matches, 31 more shots than the next closest team.

Goal-Scoring Plays

POR - Crystal Dunn (Sophia Smith), 9th minute: Sophia Smith dribbled toward the endline and cut a pass back to the top of the six-yard box. Crystal Dunn ran onto the ball and fired a first-time left footed shot into the upper netting of the goal.

HOU - María Sánchez, 24th minute: María Sánchez intercepted the ball in Portland's half and drove into the 18-yard box. Taking a touch onto her left foot, she snuck a low and driven shot inside of the far post.

Notes:

Thorns FC extended their unbeaten streak to start the season to three matches (2-0-1, 7pts).

Through three matches in the 2023 campaign, Portland has outscored its opponents 9-2 for a league-best goal differential of seven.

Portland is 14-4-4 against the Dash in regular season play, and 7-3-1 when playing at Providence Park.

Thorns FC have scored in each of their last 10 matches in the league, scoring 24 goals in that run.

Portland has registered 68 shots through their first three matches, 31 more shots than the next closest team.

Crystal Dunn registered her second goal of the season with goals in back-to-back matches.

The goal marked Dunn's third with Thorns FC (including playoffs) and the 35th of her NWSL career.

It was Dunn's first goal in regular season play at Providence Park. Including playoffs, Dunn has scored two goals in Portland's last three home matches.

Dunn has scored eight career goals against the Dash, the most against any opponent in her NWSL career.

Sophia Smith tallied her league-leading second assist of the 2023 campaign.

Smith has made a goal contribution in every game this season, totaling four goals and two assists through three matches.

Smith leads the league in goals (4), assists (2) and points (10) this season.

Smith's six goal contributions (4g, 2a) are the most by any player through 3 matches of a season in NWSL history.

In Portland's last two matches against Houston, Smith has recorded two goals and two assists.

Dating back to the 2022 NWSL season, Smith has registered eight goals and three assists in her last eight appearances for Thorns FC.

Rookie Reyna Reyes earned her first professional start.

Michele Vasconcelos made her first career start for Portland, and first NWSL start since July 2021 for the KC Current.

Sam Coffey led the match in accurate passes (51) for a passing accuracy of 91.1%.

Eight Portland players created at least one chance in the match with six players recording two or more chances.

Bella Bixby made five saves in a second straight match.

Meghan Klingenberg surpassed 10,000 career minutes played with Thorns FC in tonight's match. She is the third player in club history to reach this mark along with Christine Sinclair and Emily Menges.

Next Game

Portland will play its first match of the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup in a midweek road matchup against San Diego Wave FC at Snapdragon Stadium on Wednesday, April 19. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. (Pacific) with a stream available on Paramount+.

Check out the Portland Thorns FC Statistics



National Women's Soccer League Stories from April 15, 2023


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