![]() We heard a little bit about who to watch and since Portland has already played Houston we kind of know what to expect (and hopefully we learned from that game). If I had to make a prediction, however, I'll say 2-1 Thorns and hope our readers aren't too mad at us! Stumptown Footy’s Preview and Prediction If the Dash can score early and keep the pressure on Portland I think they can get a result. Houston has also struggled the past two seasons at home (for whatever reason). On paper, with the form the teams are in, this seems like a big mismatch. The Dash are struggling to find goals and the Thorns seem to score them in bunches. It will be interesting to see if the Dash go back to a back four to better contain Smith or with Katie Lind being fit again, could they play a back five and have Lind shade more to Smith's side? Whatever happens will be a fun matchup. In the first meeting between the teams she was able to cause some havoc with the Dash playing a back five and Dydasco getting stuck up field more often in a wingback role. Sophia Smith vs anyone is always an interesting watch. Which matchup between Portland and Houston are you most looking at? ![]() Right now the additions have not paid off too much this season, Ordóñez has 2 PK goals, but like I mentioned in the first answer, once the team is versed on the tactics Laity and company hope that changes. Laity has played Salmon a bit on the right wing and has played with two forwards at times. Salmon made an immediate impact when she joined mid season last year but she has struggled to find her goal-scoring boots in 2023. Ordóñez was a big trade but immediately raised the question among fans of how the team would line up with Salmon also playing as an out and out number 9. What have the additions of Diana Ordóñez and Ebony Salmon meant to this team? Maria Sanchez has really been the only creator to feed the front line and the emergence of Barb Olivieri into the lineup could help fix the scoring woes as well. Laity has also made multiple mentions of the team not having a full week of practice to implement tactics and once that happens, the team will be clicking. With the talent up front that this team has, they're too good to not be scoring goals. Laity has been consistent in saying he is not concerned because the team is creating chances. The lack of goals has been a concern for fans but head coach Sam Laity is not pushing the panic button. ![]() Is this a long-term concern? Why have they struggled to score? The Houston Dash have only scored 3 goals in 6 regular season matches. In order to help preview the first rematch for the Thorns in 2023, Stumptown Footy talked with someone who knows the Dash the best: Dustyn Richardson.ĭustyn Richardson is the managing editor of Bayou City Soccer, which covers the Houston Dash, Houston Dynamo, and Houston Dynamo 2. The Portland Thorns are in Houston to square off against the Dash tonight (kickoff at 5:30 p.m. Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer / Portland Thorns FC
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |