HOUSTON (Oct. 31, 2026) - The Houston Dash return to Shell Energy Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 1 to close out the 2026 regular season and celebrate Fan Appreciation Night against Portland Thorns FC. The Dash will celebrate the fans and community who have supported the team throughout the season as Houston looks to finish its home slate with a victory. Fans in attendance will receive a team poster at the gate, while supplies last. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. CT, and tickets are available HERE.
Houston will look to build on its recent momentum under interim head coach Jaime Frias after earning seven points from its last three road matches, including a 3-1 victory over Chicago Stars FC on Oct. 23. The Dash secured their ninth win of the season behind goals from three different players. Defender Leah Klenke opened the scoring in the fourth minute after recovering possession inside the box and finishing the chance for her first professional goal. Her performance earned her a nomination for NWSL Player of the Week. Midfielder Maggie Graham doubled Houston’s lead in the 54th minute, finishing a delivery from defender Lisa Boattin following an indirect free kick. Boattin’s assist earned NWSL Assist of the Week honors, while forward Clarissa Larisey added a third goal in the 79th minute to secure the victory.
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Houston’s attack continues to be fueled by its rookie class, which has accounted for 18 of the team’s 38 goals this season. Forward Kat Rader leads the Dash with 10 goals and is one goal away from matching the NWSL single-season rookie scoring record of 11, set by Diana Ordóñez with the North Carolina Courage in 2023. Rader scored her 10th goal of the season in the first meeting against Portland in September, becoming the first Dash player to reach double-digit goals in a season since Rachel Daly in 2018. The Duke University alum will look to make history against the Thorns in the regular-season finale.
Defensively, Houston will face a Portland side that has scored in 13 consecutive matches. The Dash showed their defensive strength in the 3-1 victory over Chicago, forcing 24 clearances, while goalkeeper and captain Jane Campbell made a key first-half save to preserve Houston’s lead. Klenke has also been a key contributor defensively, leading the team in minutes played, clearances and aerial duels won. Houston will look to limit Portland’s attacking opportunities and contain forward Sophia Wilson, who leads the Thorns with 13 goals and five assists this season. Wilson will be eligible for selection after missing the last two matches due to a suspension.
Portland enters the regular-season finale after securing a 1-0 victory over the North Carolina Courage on Oct. 23 to clinch a berth in the 2026 NWSL Playoffs. Defender Marie Müller scored the decisive goal in the 60th minute, finishing a deflected effort from approximately 20 yards out. Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold anchors the Thorns’ defense and she recorded her eighth clean sheet of the season against North Carolina. That was the 100th clean sheet in team history, a first for an NWSL club.
The two sides last met on Sept. 26 at Providence Park, where the teams played to a 1-1 draw. Rader opened the scoring in the 10th minute after receiving a pass from forward Kate Faasse at the edge of the box and beating the Portland goalkeeper to the ball. The Dash maintained their advantage for much of the match before Müller equalized in the 85th minute. The result snapped the Dash’s two-game losing streak at Providence Park and marked their first point earned in Oregon since the 2023 season. Houston will look to carry that performance into Sunday’s finale as the team closes out the regular season against the Thorns.
