Live-Blogging: NWSL Soccer-Portland Thorns FC vs. Houston Dash 04/14/2023

CBS Sports Network TV Broadcast

NWSL: Portland Thorns FC vs. Houston Dash 04/14/2023

Starting Lineups

Announcers: JP Dellacamer, Carli Lloyd

Fixture Location: Providence Park, Portland, OR

Hello, and welcome to another edition of ‘Live-Blogging Shish on Women’s Soccer’. Tonight, it is National Women’s Soccer League Fixture, between The Defending Champion Portland Thorns (2-0-0, 6 points) and the Houston Dash (1-0-1, 4 points).

Thorns are continuing where they left off from last season. They have reeled off two victories and have scored 8 goals in those two matches. They are getting their usual production from Sophia Smith, who scored 4 of Portland’s 8 goals this season.

They will face a Dash club who has their own star in Diana Ordóñez. Ordóñez coming from the North Carolina Courage, is in her second season. In her rookie season, she had 11 goals for the Courage. Now she is going to score goals for the Orange of the Houston Dash.

It is the Portland Thorns FC versus the Houston Dash, coming up shortly.

Thorns are in their 4-3-3 formation. While the Dash are in their 4-2-3-1 formation.

Portland is in their white jerseys, green shorts. While the Dash is in their orange jerseys and black shorts.

1st Half:
:00:00: Dash to kickoff the 1st Half. Houston to defend the right net. While Portland to defend the left net.
:03:00: Moultrie's shot wide left, for the Thorns.
:03:00: Vasconcelos' shot missed, for the Thorns.
:06:00: Moultrie's shot blocked, for the Thorns.
:07:00: Weaver's shot too wide left, for the Thorns.
:09:00: GOAL: Crystal Dunn scored a goal, for the Thorns. Sophia Smith with the assist. POR 1, HOU 0
​:12:00: INJURY DELAY: Ebony Salmon being looked at by Houston Training Staff. 
13:00: SCORE: POR 1, HOU 0

Back in October, I Live-Blogged Thorns 2-0 Clean Sheet vs. Current in the 2022 NWSL Championship 

:22:00: Ordonez's shot missed, for the Dash.
​​:23:00: Salmon's shot saved by Bixby. 
:24:00: GOAL: Maria Sanchez scored a goal, for the Dash. POR 1, HOU 1
:26:00: SCORE: POR 1, HOU 1

​:27:00: Dash gets a corner kick.
:28:00: Smith's shot saved by Campbell.
:28:00: Thorns get a corner kick.
:29:00: Coffey's shot too wide, for the Thorns.
:32:00: Smith's shot hits the Dash's top crossbar.
:34:00: Dunn's shot too high, for the Thorns.
:34:00: SCORE: POR 1, HOU 1
​
:35:00: INJURY DELAY: Sophie Schmitt being looked at by Dash Training Staff. 
:39:00: Salmon's shot wide right, for the Dash.
:40:00: Ordonez's shot blocked. Dash gets a corner kick.
:41:00: Weaver's shot too high.
:45:00: 4 minutes of stoppage time.
:49:02: The Match has reached halftime. Thorns to kickoff to start the 2nd Half.

Halftime:
POR 1, HOU 1

Halftime Scoring:
:09:00: Crystal Dunn (POR) G, Smith A
:24:00: Maria Sanchez (HOU) G

Halftime Thoughts:
Some opportunities for both clubs. Dunn and Sanchez with the goals. As Thorns & Dash are knotted up at 1-1.

2nd Half:
:45:00: SUBSTITUTION: Natalia Kuikka replaces Reyna Reyes Stubblefield, for the Thorns.
:45:00: Thorns to kickoff to start the 2nd Half. Portland to defend the right net. While Houston to defend the left net.
​:46:00: Thorns get a corner kick.
:46:00: Dunn's shot blocked. Thorns get a corner kick.
:49:00: Thorns get a corner kick.
:50:00: Vasconcelos' shot blocked. Thorns get a corner kick.
:50:00: Hubly's shot saved by Campbell.
:50:00: Hubly's shot saved by Campbell.
:53:00: Smith's shot too wide, for the Thorns.
:55:00: Thorns get a corner kick.
:56:00: Ordonez's shot saved by Bixby.
:56:00: SCORE: POR 1, HOU 1

Back in August, I Live-Blogged Dash's 2-1 Victory Over Gotham in Houston 
​
:61:00: Salmon's shot blocked by Bixby.
:62:00: Salmon's shot wide left, for the Dash.
:63:00: SUBSTITUTIONS: Hina Sugita & Rocky Rodriguez replace Michele Vasconcelos & Crystal Dunn, for the Thorns. While Courtney Petersen & Havana Solaun replace Joelle Anderson & Sophie Schmidt, for the Dash.
:65:00: Weaver's shot missed, for the Thorns.
:71:00: Dash gets a corner kick.
:71:00: SCORE: POR 1, HOU 1

:73:00: Smith's shot blocked by Campbell. Thorns get a corner kick.
:73:00: Dash gets a corner kick.
:75:00: INJURY DELAY: Caprice Dydasco being looked at by Houston Training Staff.
:78:00: Hannah Betfort & Izzy D'Aquila replace Sophia Smith & Olivia Moultrie, for the Thorns.
:79:00: Sanchez's shot saved by Bixby.
:80:00: Salmon's shot blocked by Bixby.
:80:00: SCORE: POR 1, HOU 1

​​
:81:00: Chapman's header blocked. Dash gets a corner kick.
:82:00: Viggiano's shot missed, for the Dash.
:85:00: Rodriguez's shot too high, for the Thorns.
:89:00: Thorns get a corner kick.
:89:00: Weaver's shot wide right. 
:90:00: INJURY DELAY: Morgan Weaver being looked at by Portland Training Staff.
:90:00: 5 minutes of stoppage time.
:90:00+1: SUBSTITUTIONS: Cameron Tucker & Michelle Alozie replace Ebony Salmon & Diana Ordonez, for the Dash.
:97:07: The Match has reached full time.

Full Time:
POR 1, HOU 1
POR: (2-0-1, 7 points)
HOU: (1-0-2, 5 points)

Final Stats:
Shots: POR 22, HOU 14
SOG: POR 5, HOU 6
Corners: POR 8, HOU 4

Final Thoughts:
Both teams have chances. But they end up in a draw. Houston as JP & Carli mentioned is satisfied with the road point. While the Thorns, are disappointed in the draw.

Both Clubs next match will be on Wednesday in the 2023 Challenge Cup. Thorns will head to San Diego to face the Wave. While the Dash will host Kansas City. 

The next 2023 regular season fixtures for both clubs are Next Saturday. As the Thorns will host Racing Louisville FC. While the Dash will head to DC, to face the Washington Spirit. 

This is Paul Shishkoff, Junior. This has been 'Live-Blogging Shish on Women's Soccer'. Thanks for visiting this post.