Portland Thorns vs Houston Dash: Previews, How to Watch, Match Thread [7:30]

Coming off the largest margin of defeat in franchise history — a 6-0 defeat to the North Carolina Courage c— the Portland Thorns are back in action tonight as they take on the Houston Dash for the third and final time this season.

The last time these two teams met, the Thorns had no trouble finding the back of the net as they scored four goals in the opening 20 minutes en route to a 5-0 victory. Hayley Raso netted a brace, while Sinclair and Horan contributed goals in the team’s first home game with all international players available for selection.

That night in mid-July still stands as the Thorns most dominant victory this season while doubling as the Dash’s worst defeat. Since that game, the Thorns are 3-1-3 and the Dash are 3-0-4 — which includes a win against the Royals and a narrow 1-0 defeat to the aforementioned Courage.

Portland comes into tonight in the midst of a two-game losing streak, but will be playing on ten days of rest, while the Dash just landed in Portland yesterday due to flooding in Houston. With the playoffs now in sight, it is important that the Thorns take care of their remaining home games — especially if they want to host a home playoff game. Parsons took responsibility for the lopsided defeat over a week ago. The question tonight is how the Thorns will respond.

How to Watch

How to watch: Yahoo Sports in the US; check your local listing at NWSLSoccer.com

Where: Providence Park, Portland, Oregon

When: Saturday, September 21, 7:30 p.m (Pacific)

Portland Thorns: 10-6-5, third place in NWSL, lost 6-0 vs North Carolina Courage

Houston Dash: 7-4-10, seventh place in NWSL, lost 1-0 vs North Carolina Courage