Dash Falls in Final Game of the Season Against Portland

 

On Sunday, the Houston Dash concluded the 2026 season at Shell Energy Stadium against the Portland Thorns in their annual fan appreciation match. 

The Dash were trying to end the season on a high note for the fans. However, even though Portland had already clinched a playoff spot they were trying to climb the final standings before the playoffs begin. 

Houston commanded the ball early in the first three minutes limiting the Thorns from getting to their side of the field. Portland tried answering after a goal kick, but an early foul by the Thorns caused a turnover. 

Portland made some momentum to get to the goal, but Jane Campbell saved the shots by the Thorns. After the shot saved by Campbell, it was a back-and-forth match trying to get a early lead in the match, but both defenses kept the offenses silent. 

Portland got on the board first in the 34th minute with a goal by Sophia Wilson in the top corner of the net to put the Thorns up 1-0. After the goal, Portland made another attempt to extend the lead, but a huge save by Campbell kept the Thorns lead to one. 

"She is an phenomenal goalkeeper, and she's an exceptional leader on this team," Sophie Schmidt said. "We are so blessed to have her as our goalkeeper she's fantastic."

In the last few minutes in regulation of the first half Maggie Graham had an opportunity but a block by Portland's Mackenzie Arnold kept the Dash off the board. 

Houston came out in the second half looking to tie the game, but after committing a foul in the 61st minute that gave Portland a chance to add to their lead. Wilson's shot was blocked by Campbell, but an encroachment call on the Dash voided the save and Portland's second attempt by Wilson was successful in the 70th minute and put the Thorns up 2-0. 

"Sophia is one of the best forwards in the world," Campbell said in the postgame press conference. "So stopping her is quite difficult." 

Wilson currently plays on the US National Team. With the penalty kick she made, she has not missed a penalty kick this season. 

"I think the whole team did really well with her," Campbell said. "I thought we really limited her, I am proud of them for that."

Portland tried in the 76th minute to go up by three, but three huge saves my Campbell kept the Thorns from building their lead. 

"That's a regular thing for Jane," interim head coach Jamie Frias said. "She did everything she could to keep us in the game."

Houston had a chance to get on the board with two corner kicks, but the Portland defense was denying the Dash from getting on the scoreboard. Kate Faasse had a chance to get Houston on the board, but the shot was wide of the goal. 

Trying to send the season with a score with a corner kick, but Arnold saved the corner kick to end the match by a score of 2-0. Houston final record for the 2026 campaign comes out to 9-15-6 and finished with a total of 33 points. 

As Houston closes the 2026 season the fans played a big part in the match tonight. 

"They were fantastic, I love our fans," Schmidt said. "They make it so much more exciting for us players to play."

The 2027 regular season for the NWSL will kick off on February 11.