Pre Match Notes

It is time for the biggest and longest rivalry in NWSL History. The Cascadia Rivalry that features the Seattle Reign and the Portland Thorns. After coming way with a 0-0 draw, and putting on a solid defensive and goalkeeping clinic against the Kansas City Current, the Seattle Reign are set to face their long time rivals, the Portland Thorns.

In regard to the Reign’s match against the Kansas City Current, there wasn’t much of an attack from the Reign. The team, for the most part, couldn’t get forward. There were a few moments, late into the second half, where there appeared to be life in the attack, however, most of the action remained in the Reign’s defensive third. The Reign spent the majority of the match, successfully fighting off Kansas City’s attack, with Laurel Ivory, making multiple important saves to keep the Current at bay. It was great to see such a strong defensive performance from the Reign.

In prior seasons the Reign was known to have the best defense in the league, and after a challenging start to this 2024 season, we are starting to see something reminiscent of the Reign team from past seasons, where a strong defense was always emphasized.

Despite the defending masterclass in the match against Kansas City, the midfield and attack is still a weak spot for the Reign. The team, until now, is struggling to maintain possession and get their attack forward. Even when it comes to counterattacking and transitions, the Reign is slow to get forward and eventually gets dispossessed. Going up against the Thorns, this lack of control in the midfield, and forward movement in the attack could pose as a big problem for the Reign, given that the Thorns will be looking to dominate the midfield. If the Reign wants to be successful in this match, the most important thing they must do, is keep possession, and maintain control as much as possible, even if it’s just to take pressure off the backline and goalkeeper.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Laurel Ivory in the goal. For defenders Phoebe McClernon, Lu Barnes, Shae Holmes, and Sofia Huerta. For midfielders Jess Fishlock, Ji So-yun, and Olivia Van Der Jagt. For forwards Tziarra King, Veronica Latsko, and Bethany Balcer.

It’s an all right line up. It’s still hard to say whether the Reign will be able to keep enough control and possession in the midfield. It’s also hard to say whether the Reign attack will be able to get forward in this match. The challenge for the Reign is going to involve maintaining as much possession as possible. On the plus side, this backline of Ivory, Barnes, Huerta, Holmes, and McClernon did well in the Reign’s last match against Kansas City. It’s likely they, and rest of the team, will be in for a busy night.

First Half Notes

Portland Thorns 1-0.

Despite what the scoreboard says, the Seattle Reign are doing well in this match so far. Early on, there was good back-and-forth between both sides, where both teams were getting their attack forward, and creating chances. There’s better transitions in the midfield, as well as more chances being created for the Reign attack. Huerta and the Reign have created multiple goal-scoring opportunities; however, when it comes to finishing, that is still something the Reign team is struggling with.

When it comes to the Reign’s defensive play, the backline and defense have been doing well shutting down Portland’s attack. However, there still needs to be better control in the midfield, especially when it comes to recovering possession.

Despite being 1-0 down at halftime, this is a step up from the match against Kansas City, where the Reign, virtually, had no control, and were stuck playing on the defensive. If the Reign can get their attack forward, create more chances, and connect with those crosses, services, and touches into the box, they should be able to find the back of the net. However, it will still come down to whether they’ll be able to keep possession.

Second Half and Closing Notes

Seattle Reign Lose 4-0.

A penalty kick would be awarded to Portland after VAR determined Sofia Huerta committed a foul (handball) in the Reign box. Portland would convert the penalty, and later grab a third and fourth goal in extra time. There was 13 minutes of additional time, but by then it was as if the Reign’s spirit had been crushed after the second and third goal. Portland took control and were breaking down the Reign’s defense.

This was a disappointing and frustrating loss for the Reign. Early on, when the scoreline was still 1-0, it looked as though the Reign were in the process of making a comeback. They were getting their attack forward, and creating many good chances. Unfortunately, they couldn’t convert those chances into goals. One of the Reign’s best chances came in the 56th minute, where the Reign would get a corner kick. The pass would find a wide open Shae Holmes, but she was unable to chip it over the Portland goalkeeper, who would scoop up the ball without issue. If the Reign finished their chances, perhaps this match could have ended in a different result.

While the loss is disappointing to the Reign team and the fans, the team has shown they can get their attack forward, create chances, and control the midfield (to some extent); however, this team needs to connect where it counts and score goals. Not only that, they need to do so on a consistent basis.

Some people might argue, a poor defense will hurt a team, but that is not the case here. The Reign’s inability to score is clearly hurting this team more than just a mistake or two in the box.