The Houston Dash advanced to the first final in team history with a 1-0 victory over the Portland Thorns this afternoon at Rio Tinto Stadium.
After creating multiple chances over the first hour, the Dash finally broke through in the 69th minute when forward Rachel Daly headed the ball into the back of the net off of a corner kick. Midfielder Kristie Mewis lofted the corner, Houston’s fifth of the match, to the back post and midfielder Sophie Schmidt headed it on goal, but Schmidt’s shot caromed off the crossbar, igniting a scramble for the loose ball with Daly reacting the quickest.