The Houston Dash travel to Portland, Oregon for a week of preseason friendlies against NWSL and NCAA competition. Here's a quick look at the inaugural preseason tournament.
The Opponents
Oregon State University (Sunday, March 27, 4:30 p.m. CT) finished 6-10-3 last season in Linus Rhode’s ninth season as the head coach of the program. Freshman Allison Pantuso led the team in goals with three last season with a defense anchored by junior Greta Espinoza. After a disappointing 2014 campaign, the youthful squad bounced back with memorable victories over UCLA and Colorado in conference play and Kansas and Fresno State in non-conference play.
Seattle Reign FC (Wednesday, March 30, 7 p.m. CT) finished last season with 43 points, becoming the first NWSL club to claim back-to-back NWSL Shields. Led by Kim Little, Megan Rapinoe, Jessica Fishlock and Hope Solo the club finished with the best goal difference in the league (+20). Reign FC scored a league-best 41 goals and conceded just 21 goals last season. The clubs will face each other three times in the NWSL regular season, with Seattle traveling to Houston to close the 2016 season at BBVA Compass Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 25.
Portland Thorns FC (Saturday, April 2, 7 p.m. CT) missed the postseason last year for the first time in club history. The inaugural NWSL champions finished sixth in the league scoring 27 goals and conceding 29. Head coach Mark Parsons enters his first year with the club after two years with the Washington Spirit. The club features many new faces, some familiar to Dash fans, such as former Houston defender Meghan Klingenberg. Additionally, Thorns FC signed USWNT midfielder Lindsey Horan, French midfielder Amandine Henry, and drafted American defender Emily Sonnett with the first pick of the 2016 NWSL College draft. Klingenberg and the rest of Thorns FC will travel to Houston midway through the NWSL season.
The Park
Providence Park, the home stadium of both Thorns FC and the Portland Timbers of MLS, will host the preseason tournament over three dates, each a doubleheader. Last season, Houston defeated Portland 1-0 on the road, the first victory for the Dash at Providence Park.
The Next Step
The Dash will wrap up their preseason preparation with a scrimmage against Texas A&M University at 8 p.m. CDT on Friday, April 8 at Ellis Field in College Station. The Dash open the 2016 NWSL season on April 16 against the Chicago Red Stars at BBVA Compass Stadium. Season tickets start at just $137 for all 10 home games. To purchase season tickets, a ticket package or for more information, call (713) 276-GOAL or visit HoustonDashSoccer.com/tickets.
