In a match that saw the Houston Dash and Portland Thorns battled for a spot at the NWSL Challenge Cup, Houston played a perfect match to beat Portland 1-0 and get to their first ever final in club’s history.
The Dash game plan was perfectly executed. They controlled the tempo of the game, in addition to the discipline and order the defensive side needed to have in order get to the tournament’s final. Moreover, the work on defense was something coach James Clarkson knew his team needed to work on. In addition, the H-Town team was missing defender standout Megan Oyster. She was out of the match after getting injured last match against Utah. Making a little more complicated for Clarkson’s side. However, Ally Prisock, who replaced Oyster in the starting lineup, had a great performance in the back line.
Courtesy of Portland Thorns
Portland on the other side, struggled in midfield. They clearly missed midfielder and USWNT star Lindsey Horan, who was also out with an injury. Costa Rican international Raquel ‘Rocky’ Rodriguez was not able to take the lead and help her side on offense. Also, Canadian captain, Christine Sinclair did not have a great game neither. Houston did an extraordinary job on neutralize her throughout the match.
In the first forty-five minutes, Houston was trying to get the leading goal, but Clarkson’s team was not taking many risks to do so. They pressured Portland, which struggled to control the possession of the ball, and with that, Houston recovered the ball fast. Getting the ball at midfield helped the Orange to create some chances to open the score. Moreover, the Space City team needed to find some clarity on offense by being able to calm down in order to make better decisions in their last third.
Portland on the other hand, was using the spaces their rivals were leaving to generate in offense. However, they were not precise either. Also, the PDX team looked tired. Probably this was as a result of a very demanding match they had last week against NC Courage. Even though the Thorns had some chances mostly coming from set pieces, this tactical game took both team to the half with a 0-0 score.
Houston began the second half with a similar dynamic as they played the first one. Playing compact on defense and trying to find an open player in the counter to get the goal. The Dash went scoreless in their last three matches, therefore getting a goal was important not only to get up in the scoreboard but also for the players to gain confidence.
Courtesy of Houston Dash
After Houston was getting closer and closer to get the much deserving goal. Rachel Daly, arguably the best player of the tournament, scored the winning goal at the 69’. A team that is not characterized by being good on set pieces, scored the winning goal after a corner kick when Daly found the ball inside the box after it bounced off of the crossbar and scored the 1-0 for Houston. This was enough for the Dash to seal their spot at the NWSL Challenge Cup final, and the first final in team’s history.
Now, Houston will face the winner of the second semifinal match between the Chicago Red Stars and Sky Blue. The tournament’s final is Sunday July 26 and will be played in Rio Tinto Stadium in Utah.
