hina sugita

Kennedy Fuller and Maiara Niehues scored and Angel City staved off elimination from postseason contention with a 2-0 victory over the Houston Dash on Sunday at BMO Stadium.

Angel City (7-11-6), which would have been eliminated with a loss or a draw, ended a five-game winless streak with the victory.

Dash goalkeeper Abby Smith pushed away a cross from Hina Sugita, but Fuller scored her fourth goal of the season off a rebound in the 53rd minute to break a scoreless stalemate.

Niehues scored an insurance goal in the 86th minute, charging forward and taking advantage with Smith well out of her goal.

It appeared the Dash might be awarded a penalty after a handball was called on the field in stoppage time, but the decision was overturned after video review.

Houston (7-10-6), which finished last in the league last season, had lost just two of the previous 10 matches. The Dash were not yet eliminated.

Because of Sunday’s result, the Orlando Pride clinched a playoff berth.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Reilyn Turner’s goal pulled the Portland Thorns into a 1-1 tie with Angel City FC on Friday in the National Women’s Soccer League.

Kennedy Fuller scored in the ninth minute to give Angel City the early lead. But Turner scored her first regular-season NWSL goal, tapping in a bouncing corner in the 30th to pull the Thorns even in their home opener.

Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson jumped to push Hina Sugita’s strike from distance up and over the crossbar in the 83rd minute.

Angel City played to a 1-1 draw at home against San Diego in its opener last weekend. The team is without forward Sydney Leroux, who announced she is taking time off to focus on her mental health.

The Thorns were routed 4-1 in their opener last weekend at Kansas City. Portland is missing its biggest playmaker, Olympian Sophia Wilson, who is on maternity leave. Wilson, whose maiden name is Smith, was married in the offseason and took her husband’s name.

Angel City defender Sarah Gorden reached 10,000 career regular season minutes during the match.