Thorns’ late goal leads to a draw Dash update
The Dash’s latest game went from glorious to compounded disappointment in a matter of moments Saturday night.
Houston held the lead deep into the second half but conceded a late goal and settled for a share of the points in a 1-1 draw against Portland Thorns FC in front of 3,869 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium.
On the next play, forward Carli Lloyd was sent off after going for a 50-50 ball with a high leg and connecting with Portland’s Mallory Webber. The ejection means Lloyd will miss the next game.
The Dash (4-7-2) extend their unbeaten streak to four games, but that will be little consolation considering how close they were to their third victory in the last four. Portland (5-4-4) scored in the first minute of added time when Lindsey Horan curled a free kick into top corner of the left post.
“It is frustrating to give up two big points, two points that could have done a lot for us,” said Dash forward Janine Beckie, who gave her team the lead with a goal in the eighth minute. “There were ties around the league this weekend. I think everyone’s still got a shot.
The Dash had been playing with fire for much of the second half due to their inability to maintain possession. Rather than trying to hold the ball, they often kicked it away to clear it making it easier for Portland to get it back.
As a result, the Dash were under heavy pressure during the final 45 minutes. Saturday: Dash 1, Thorns FC 1. Record: 4-7-2. July 15: Washington at BBVA Compass Stadium, 7:30 p.m. They held onto the lead largely because Portland was wasteful with several great opportunities.
Not long after Horan’s equalizer, Lloyd was shown a red card. Lloyd and Webber both had their legs high going after the ball. The Dash captain said she expects the team to appeal the decision to the league.
“I am the first to put my hand up if I deserve a red and I did not deserve a straight red on that one,” Lloyd said.
Lloyd’s ejection and Horan’s late goal spoiled what could have been a great night for Beckie. The Canadian international scored her first goal of the season with a shot from the center of the box in the eighth minute.
Lloyd won a ball in the Dash’s defensive half and passed forward to Nichelle Prince. Prince dribbled through the middle third and remained patient while Rachel Daly returned to an onside position.
Prince played Daly in on the right side, and Daly crossed it low to the center of the box. Portland midfielder Allie Long ran by the ball as if she thought a teammate was behind her, but Beckie was the only one there. Beckie swept it into the net from 14 yards away.