The Houston Dash return to BBVA Stadium tomorrow, July 24 to host the Portland Thorns in their first regular season meeting of the year. Kickoff for Saturday’s match is set for 7:30 p.m. CT, and fans can follow the action live on Paramount+ and international fans can stream the match live on Twitch.
The Dash look to earn their sixth regular season victory and first against the Thorns this year. Houston holds a 1-1-0 record against Portland in the last two meetings, one being the semifinal of the 2020 Challenge Cup. Currently, Houston holds a 5-1-4 record in the regular season and have won three out of their last four games.
Here are the three key points ahead of Saturday’s game:
- CLASH OF CHALLENGE CUP CHAMPIONS: Houston and Portland are the only two teams in the league to own a Challenge Cup title and this is the first meeting between the two teams this season. The Dash became the first team to claim the title on July 26, 2020, when they defeated the Chicago Red Stars 2-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium. The Thorns followed suit in 2021 when they were crowned champions at Providence Park after defeating Gotham FC in a penalty shootout. The titles helped both sides qualify for the Women’s International Champions Cup that will be held in Oregon beginning on August 17.
- HOUSTON UNBEATEN AT HOME: *The Dash are running on the longest unbeaten home streak in club history at 10 games. Since the Fall Series in 2020, the Dash have earned six victories and four draws, beating their previous record by five games (6-0-4). Houston extended their run with a 2-0 victory against OL Reign on July 2 when defender Katie Naughton and forward Jasmyne Spencer lifted the Dash to three points.
- DASH VS. THORNS SERIES: The Dash and the Thorns last met at BBVA Stadium in the final group-stage game of the 2021 Challenge Cup when they drew 1-1. Before then, Houston knocked out Portland in the semifinal of last year’s inaugural Challenge Cup when Dash captain Rachel Daly scored the lone goal of the game, 1-0. Currently, the Dash trail the Thorns in the all-time regular season series with a 3-11-4 record.
