Tobin Heath tangles with Morgan Brian for possession while Lloyd looks on in background.
Amid a week of turmoil in the NWSL, the Thorns took on the Houston Dash at Providence Park for their second home game within a week. Facing a Dash team that came in scoring 7 goals in their last two games, with forward Kealia Ohai on a hot streak, the Thorns were ready for a tough game. Luckily Portland knew exactly how to shut the Dash down.
Within the first 30 seconds Thorns forward Christine Sinclair tested the Houston back-line with a header from a sent ball by defender Katherine Reynolds. It was all attack from the opening whistle. Reynolds, acquired through a trade with the Washington Spirit in the off season, had a massive game, almost completely shutting down the attack of an incredibly quick Ohai. Post-game Portland mid Allie Long talked about Reynolds’ performance, “Kath [Reynolds] absolutely killed her position. I don’t think Kaelia was even able to breath.” In fact, Reynold’s was so effective that Ohai was moved to the other side of the field.
Reynolds wasn’t the only notable performer of the night. The entire team was on a roll, including Thorns midfielder Amandine Henry. With only a few games under her belt it was clear that Henry’s confidence had grown. Putting on a strong show in the center, she was essential to the Thorns’ offense. Moving mid-season to join the team from France, it hasn’t taken Henry long to get used to the new style of play. When asked if the language barrier was an issue, Portland midfielder Tobin Heath said it really wasn’t. “Mark’s super organized and we are all on the same page… on the field we all kind of speak the same the language, we all see the same, so in that way the hand gestures and stuff is probably because the Riveters were so loud we couldn’t hear each other. They were fantastic tonight.”
The crowd was in full voice, with plenty of cheek. One Riveter two-stick read “Talk to my agent”, directed towards Carli Lloyd and her recent snub of a journalist. While a great crowd provides the atmosphere it was the team on the field that gave them something to chant about, as the Thorns almost completely silenced The Houston offense. This was a feat, considering the international talents of players like Carli Lloyd and Janine Beckie.
Commenting on how they were able to shut down the Dash, Long explained that they never worried about any of the star players. “We didn’t go into this game even talking about them, we just focused on ourselves. If we keep possession then we’re eliminating those dangerous players.” Long, who had a brace in the game, made her first goal by brilliantly chipping the keeper with a header, anticipating Williams would have to gamble and come off her line if the ball was placed just right.
With a solid performance the Thorns ended with the night with 3 goals. The last goal came off a set piece in stoppage with Sinclair rebounding and easily tapping it in. Head coach Mark Parsons was pleased with the performance, calling it a 9 out of 10. Portland has little time to rest though, going back at it again this Sunday against third ranked Western New York Flash. A win could solidify Portland hosting a playoff game for the first time at Providence Park. “We got to recover quick and take care of ourselves. I think the energy on both teams with be a maximum on Sunday, it’s a huge game.”
Thorns mid Allie Long after scoring her brace against Houston.
GOALS 1 2 F
Portland (9-3-5) 1 2 3
Houston (5-9-4) 0 0 0
SCORING SUMMARY
Goal Time Team Goal Scorer Assists Note
1 26 Portland Allie Long Tobin Heath
2 71 Portland Allie Long Tobin Heath
3 90 Portland Christine Sinclair
SHOTS 1 2 F
Portland 9 12 21
Houston 4 6 10
SHOTS ON GOAL
Portland 9
Houston 2
SAVES 1 2 F
Portland 1 1 2
Houston 3 3 6
CORNER KICKS
Portland 5
Houston 3
OFFSIDES
Portland 0
Houston 2
FOULS
Portland 11
Houston 7
Officials:
Referee: Brandon Artis
Asst. Referee: Christopher Elliot; Ceciah Valero
Fourth Official: Andrew Deuker
Portland Thorns
