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NWSL Seattle Reign FC

OL Reign Experiences First Regular Season Loss in Providence Park Since 2018

September 16, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Seattle Reign FC News Release


SEATTLE, WA. - OL Reign (8-3-8, 27 points, 5th place) picked up their first regular season loss to Portland Thorns FC (9-5-5, 32 points, 1st place) since 2018. The rivalry match featured an intense battle, but in the end, it wasn't OL Reign's night.

OL Reign opened the match with a chance in the first minute, with forward Jordyn Huitema taking a shot just 12 seconds in. Immediately following that, Portland created a chance at the other end of the field, setting the match up to be an end-to-end battle.

In the 12th minute, OL Reign goalkeeper Claudia game up big for the visiting side, making back-to-back saves to keep the score level. The match continued on with the teams tied at zero, and the intensity of the rivalry was visible in the on-field play, matched only by the quality of both teams.

As the half hour mark of the match was approaching, midfielder Jess Fishlock slid to keep OL Reign's play live at the top of the box, making way for forward Megan Rapinoe to fire off a shot toward Bella Bixby in goal. The shot was low and hard, but Bixby got there just in time to keep it out of the net.

A minute later, the Reign conceded a set piece to the Thorns, which was served into the box and tapped across the face of goal, before Hina Sugita followed it up, putting it in the back of the net. Portland found another goal just six minutes later, once again on a set piece. After a corner kick was not fully cleared from danger, it was crossed back into the box and Morgan Weaver volleyed the ball into the back of the net.

After going into halftime down two goals, the Reign started the second half stronger, challenging Portland all over the field. The Reign found more offensive chances, tallying five shots and just as many corners, but couldn't find the finishing touch to start their comeback. On the other end of the field, Dickey remained solid, ending the match with six saves, tying the single-game high in saves for OL Reign in the 2023 regular season.

At the final whistle, the match ended in a 2-0 defeat for the Reign. Eight players will now join their national teams during the international window before the NWSL action continues on October 1.

UP NEXT: OL Reign returns to Lumen Field on October 1 to take on the North Carolina Courage in their annual Kick Breast Cancer Match, presented by MultiCare. Tickets are available HERE.

MATCH SUMMARY

2023 NWSL Regular Season

OL Reign 0 - 2 Portland Thorns FC

Date/Time: Saturday, September 16, 7:30 p.m. PT

Location: Providence Park, Portland, Oregon

Weather: 73, Clear

Scoring Summary

TEAM

1H

2H

FT

OL Reign

0

0

0

Portland Thorns FC

2

0

2

RGN: None

POR: Sugita - 30', Weaver - 36'

Discipline

RGN: Sonnett (Caution - 29')

POR: Klingenberg (Caution - 58')

Lineups

RGN: GK Dickey, D Huerta, D Cook, D McClernon, D Barnes © (Holmes 84'), M Sonnett, M Van der Jagt, M Fishlock (Angelina 64'), F Huitema (Bennett 76'), F Balcer (Latsko 64'), F Rapinoe (Quinn 84')

Unused substitutes: GK Ivory, M Stanton, D Hiatt, F King

Total Shots: 9 (Rapinoe- 4)

Shots on Goal: 3(Three tied with - 1)

Fouls: 5 (Rapinoe, Sonnett - 2)

Offsides: 2

Corner Kicks: 6

Saves: 6 (Dickey- 6)

POR: GK Bixby, D Klingenberg (Reyes 77'), D Menges, D Sauerbrunn (Hubly 46'), D Kuikka, M Coffey, M Rodriguez (Vasconcelos 77'), M Dunn (Moultrie 68'), M Sugita, F Sinclair © (Betfort 68'), F Weaver

Unused substitutes: GK Hogan, F D'Aquila, D Nally, M Porter

Total Shots: 14 (Weaver - 4)

Shots on Goal: 8 (Dunn, Sugita - 2)

Fouls: 5 (Moultrie- 2)

Offsides: 1

Corner Kicks: 1

Saves: 3(Bixby - 3)

Player of the Match: Phoebe McClernon

Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva

Assistant Referee 1: Christian Clerc

Assistant Referee 2: Stephen McGonagle

4th Official: Jaclyn Metz

VAR: Robi Hullner

AVAR: Joel McKell

Check out the Seattle Reign FC Statistics



National Women's Soccer League Stories from September 16, 2023


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