Dash Trail Portland 1-0 at Halftime in Their Season Finale at Shell Energy Stadium
Sophia Wilson's 34th-minute goal, set up by Reilyn Turner, has Portland ahead 1-0 at the break on Decision Day in Houston. The Dash, already eliminated from the playoff race, pushed back late in the half - Maggie Graham forced a save in the 44th minute - but they go to the locker room chasing the game.
HOUSTON - The Houston Dash trail the Portland Thorns 1-0 at halftime of their regular-season finale at Shell Energy Stadium on Sunday, on a 34th-minute goal from Sophia Wilson in the league's Decision Day round, according to the match's live play-by-play file.
Wilson scored from the centre of the box with a left-footed shot to the high centre of the goal, assisted by Reilyn Turner, after Portland had pressed through the middle of the half. Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell was kept busy in the minutes around the goal, saving from Portland's Caiya Hanks in the 38th minute and again in the 40th, while Hanks put another effort off target a minute later. Portland defender Jayden Perry was shown the half's only yellow card, in the 41st minute.
The Dash had their own looks. Sophie Schmidt put a shot on target that was saved in the 32nd minute, two minutes before Wilson's goal, and Maggie Graham forced another save in the 44th as Houston finished the half pushing forward. Houston started Kat Rader, Clarissa Larisey and Miljana Ivanovic at the front of its lineup, with Campbell in goal.
The result cannot change Houston's season: the Dash were eliminated from playoff contention before Decision Day, while Portland had already qualified and is playing for seeding, according to USA TODAY's Decision Day playoff picture. What is left for Houston is the finish itself - one half to close the season with a result in front of the home crowd. The final score will file after the second half.
