MATCH RECAP: Houston Dash 3, Portland Thorns FC 0

An early goal and a clincher from two former players left Portland Thorns FC on the wrong end of a 2-0 loss to the Houston Dash Saturday night. After going 12 games unbeaten and without conceding multiple goals in a single match, Thorns FC have now lost two-straight games, conceding five goals.

Houston came into the match having lost their previous six games by 1-0 scorelines, but scored their first goal since May in the seventh minute. Kalia Ohai broke down the right flank and while Melissa Henderson whiffed her shot, Rachel Daly was on hand to put the ball into the net off the underside of the crossbar.

Coming back out for the second half, which has often seen some of the strongest play from Thorns FC, it was two former Thorns players that connected to double Houston’s lead. A deflected shot from Rebecca Moros fell kindly to the feet of Amber Brooks at the far post for an easy tap in. The Dash finished things off seven minutes from full-time when Ohai broke into the box on the left side and scored in off the far post despite a touch from goalkeeper Michelle Betos.

Defender Jennifer Skogerboe earned her first start of the season along with amateur Maureen Fitzgerald. Kat Williamson made her first start since returning from injury last weekend, but only made it 43 minutes before being replaced by Sam Lofton.

For the first time this season, Portland conceded without response and gave up three goals in a single match. Under the punishing heat, the Thorns struggled to string together passes and spent much of the first half in their defensive third. Portland’s best chance of the match fell to Hayley Raso who tried to pounce on a weak Dash back pass, but was only able to poke a shot wide of the goal. Despite three unbeaten visits to Houston in NWSL history, Thorns FC were unable to keep that streak alive following the end of their 12-match unbeaten run last weekend.