Line Up and Pre-Match Notes: We have Claudia Dickey in the goal. For defenders Sofia Huerta, Alana Cook, Pheobe McClernon, and Lauren Barnes. For midfielders Emily Sonnett, Olivia Van Der Jagt, and Jess Fishlock. For forwards, Megan Rapinoe, Bethany Balcer, and Jordyn Huitema.

It’s important to note, OL Reign’s starting goalkeeper, Phallon Tullis-Joyce, is no longer with the Reign. She has been traded to WSL club, Manchester United. Claudia Dickey will be taking over as OL Reign’s new starting goalkeeper, and Laurel Ivory will be serving as the Reign’s backup goalkeeper. Laura Harvey has commented in the past that Dickey has been performing well in training, and is up for the challenge.

As for the rest of the starting eleven, it’s great to see McClernon in the line up. She is a solid and fierce defender, and will be able to provide great support in the backline. When it comes to the Reign midfield and attack, we are missing Rose Lavelle for this match. She is out due to a leg injury. I think I would’ve gone with Veronica Latkso over Van Der Jagt for her extra pace, and drive in the attack, but at the same time, I also understand, saving Latsko for the second half.

When it comes to this match against the Portland Thorns, I can see it going either way. There’s going to be a lot of back-and-forth between the Reign and the Thorns, but the most important thing the Reign needs to do is take control of the midfield, press in the attack, and put pressure on the Thorns’ backline. The Reign backline should be all right in this match. They may make a mistake here and there, but given how much emphasis Harvey puts on the backline and defense, they’re usually solid overall.

The biggest area of concern for the Reign is their midfield and attack. Against the Thorns, the Reign need to control the midfield and connect more in the attack and in the box. Finishing is also essential. After this game, there are only three NWSL games left, and if the Reign want to remain in playoff contention, they have to win games. Draws right now are not going to cut it. This match is going to be a tough battle for the Reign, but hopefully, the team will be able to come away with the win in the end.

First Half Notes:

Portland Thorns 2-0

Honestly, the first half wasn’t good at all for the Reign. The Reign looked sloppy in the backline, which is very out of character for them. The clearances were slow, there was a lack of awareness in the backline, and the Reign defense was leaving players open on the Reign’s left wing. Barnes has to make sure she has that left side covered. McClernon and Cook can only do so much, especially when the Thorns are coming at them centrally, and getting into the box to support their attack.

When it comes to the Reign midfield, there’s a lack of control in the midfield. There are too many turnovers in dangerous areas. The Reign aren’t applying enough pressure to the Thorns’ midfielders, which is allowing the Thorns to move the ball around and create plays and chances. At the same time, there isn’t enough urgency from the Reign midfield to regain possession and control. Regarding the attack, they’re creating some good chances. I did notice good services and crosses from Huerta, Balcer, Huitema, and Rapinoe. However, there’s still a lack of connection in the box.

When it comes to the second half, do I think the Reign can come back after going down 2-0? It’s possible. The Reign have made impressive comebacks before, most notably winning 3-2 against Angel City last season after going down by two in the first half. However, the Reign aren’t going to come back if something doesn’t change. There needs to be more urgency and control from this team as a whole if they want any chance of making a comeback in this game.

Second Half/Closing Notes:

Portland Thorns win 2-0

The Reign had more possession in the second half, and despite the attack creating some good services and crosses, the Reign were still struggling to connect with any of them. Even though control in the midfield got somewhat better in the second half, I think the Reign could have benefited more from having that control and stability in the first half. It was surprising to see Canadian midfielder, Quinn, come on in the 83rd minute. Perhaps, if Quinn had started alongside Sonnett and Fishlock in the first half, we could have used Sonnett as a double six, and possibly those two (Quinn and Sonnett) could have provided more stability and control in the midfield.

In general, when it came to this match as a whole, the one thing that kept coming to mind was the lack of chemistry and cohesion between the midfield, attack, and attacking players. It just reminds me of a team that hasn’t played together for a while. Between injuries and international duty, that could be the case when it comes to the Reign.

On the bright side, it’s great to see Angelina again. I’m looking forward to seeing her get back into the game more after being out for so long due to injury. At the same time, Dickey had some really good saves in this match. I know myself and some other Reign fans were skeptical of her being the Reign’s new starting goalkeeper, and despite the two Portland goals (nothing she could have done about them anyway), Dickey overall had a really great game tonight. I liked her confidence coming off the line, and I think she’s shaping up to be a solid OL Reign starting goalkeeper.

Although the Reign fought hard and gave it their all, the loss is undoubtedly disappointing. Despite not securing the win and three points, we can take pride in the team’s efforts and know that they left everything on the pitch and did their best.