Thorns FC Extend Unbeaten Streak to Three Games with 1-1 Draw Against Houston Dash at Providence Park

April 15, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Portland Thorns FC News Release

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC extended their unbeaten streak to start the season to three games with a 1-1 draw against the Houston Dash at Providence Park on Friday night. Crystal Dunn struck first for Thorns FC with a ninth-minute goal, but Houston responded with the equalizer shortly after to see both sides split points. Portland will play its first match of the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup in a midweek road matchup against San Diego Wave FC at Snapdragon Stadium on Wednesday, April 19. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. (Pacific) with a stream available on Paramount+.

Dynamic Duo

Dunn registered her second goal of the season with goals in back-to-back matches. The goal marked Dunn’s third with Thorns FC (including playoffs) and the 35th of her NWSL career. It was Dunn’s first goal in regular season play at Providence Park. Including playoffs, Dunn has scored two goals in Portland’s last three home matches. Dunn has scored eight career goals against the Dash – the most against any opponent in her NWSL career. Sophia Smith tallied her league-leading second assist of the 2023 campaign. The 22-year-old striker has made a goal contribution in every game this season, totaling four goals and two assists through three matches. Smith’s six goal contributions (4g, 2a) are the most by any player through three matches of a season in NWSL history. Dating back to the 2022 NWSL season, Smith has registered eight goals and three assists in her last eight appearances for Thorns FC. In Portland’s last two matches against Houston, Smith has recorded two goals and two assists.

Strong Start

Through three matches in the 2023 campaign, Portland is unbeaten (2-0-1, 7pts) and has outscored its opponents 9-2 for a league-best goal differential of seven. Five different players have scored at least one goal for Thorns FC this season which is two more players than any other team, and four different players have tallied at least one assist for Portland which is also two more players than any other team. Thorns FC have registered 68 shots through their first three matches, 31 more shots than the next closest team.

Goal-Scoring Plays

POR – Crystal Dunn (Sophia Smith), 9th minute: Sophia Smith dribbled toward the endline and cut a pass back to the top of the six-yard box. Crystal Dunn ran onto the ball and fired a first-time left footed shot into the upper netting of the goal.

HOU – María…