An opening goal gave the Portland Thorns a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dash at BBVA Stadium this evening. Â
Portland got on the board in the opening minute after Thorns forward Sophia Smith dribbled past defender Katie Naughton and poked the ball into the back of the net.  Â
Dash forward Veronica Latsko and defender Jamia Fields led the charge for Houston in the next four minutes. First, with a dangerous cross from Fields into the heart of the box in the third minute. A few minutes later Latsko just missed a through ball inside the box. Â
Houston continued to press throughout the first half, finding opportunities in Portland’s box. In the 33rd minute, Naughton forced a corner kick. Houston midfielder Emily Ogle served the ball into the box to find midfielder Gabby Seiler who headed the ball inches wide of the goal. Â
The Thorns almost doubled their lead in the 55th after Smith tested her luck from the top of the box, missing just wide of the right side of the goal. Â
Houston will host NJ/NY Gotham FC visit BBVA Stadium next week for the first time this regular season. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. CT on Aug. 1 and fans can follow the action on Paramount+ and Twitch internationally.
