HOUSTON (May 15, 2025) - The Houston Dash open a two-game homestand at 7 p.m. CT on Friday, May 16 against Portland Thorns FC. The team will close the homestand the following weekend against Bay FC on Saturday, May 24.
The Dash return to Shell Energy Stadium following a 1-0 victory on the road against Seattle Reign FC. Forward Yazmeen Ryan forced a turnover that led to the lone goal of the match. The U.S. Women’s National Team forward played the ball into space for Ryan Gareis, who tallied her third assist of the year on the play. Gareis played the ball into midfielder Maggie Graham and the rookie scored her third goal of the season.
Gareis has now tallied assists in back-to-back matches and she is the first Dash player to tally assists in consecutive games since Nichelle Prince reached that milestone in Oct. 2023. The University of South Carolina alum is currently tied for the most assists in the league with three.
Graham has now scored two game-winning goals this season. The rookie midfielder scored the game-winning goal in Houston’s 2-1 triumph on the road over the Chicago Stars on March 23.
Defensively, Abby Smith earned her first appearance for the team and tallied a clean sheet. This was Smith’s first appearance in a regular season game since the 2023 season and her first competitive match since the final of the NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup last fall. The shot stopper finished with one save and was critical in quelling opportunities for the Reign. This was the third clean sheet of the season for the team and that mark is the third highest in league play behind the Kansas City Current and NJ/NY Gotham FC, who have tallied four clean sheets so far this campaign.
Defender Katie Lind wore the armband on Sunday evening in Seattle and she led the team with nine clearances. Lind also led the team with four aerial duels won and finished with five recoveries. Defender Natalie Jacobs made her first start since March 28 when Houston earned a scoreless draw with NJ/NY Gotham FC at home. Jacobs led the team with five interceptions and finished with seven clearances.
The Thorns visit Houston with a four-game unbeaten streak where they have posted a 2-0-2 (WLD) record in that stretch. They earned a draw on the road against San Diego Wave FC on Saturday. Jayden Perry converted a penalty kick in the final minutes of the match to secure a point for the Thorns. That was the fourth penalty kick converted by the Thorns over their last four games with Perry converting three times from the spot. Perry is tied with Reilyn Turner for the most goals scored on the team with three goals each.
The Thorns won both matches last season and Houston won the regular season series in 2023. The Dash earned a 2-1 victory on March 12, 2023 at home and earned a point at Providence Park earlier in the season. The Dash will travel to Portland on Nov. 2 for Decision Day.
The Dash will host Bay FC on Saturday, May 24 prior to the FIFA window at the end of the month. The club will celebrate Kids Day on May 24 and tickets for the match are available on SeatGeek.
