NWSL Seattle Reign FC

Reign FC Blanks Portland for Second Time in Home Win

Published on August 8, 2019 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Seattle Reign FC News Release


TACOMA, WASH. - For the second time this season, Reign FC shut out the NWSL's highest-scoring offense, beating rivals Portland Thorns FC 1-0 at Cheney Stadium in front of a crowd of 5,865 on Wednesday night. Midfielder Rosie White scored her second consecutive game-winning goal as the club picked up three points.

"As I was walking this way I was thinking about what this game looked like," Reign FC head coach Vlatko Andonovski said. "I think it was a typical Reign-Portland game. At times physical, at times beautiful, at times opportunities and at times just a battle. That's what it looked like. I thought that both teams played hard. I thought both teams were disciplined and organized. Even before the game we knew that one little thing was going to decide the game and I'm just glad that it was something we did."

White struck in the 55th minute, when Ifeoma Onumonu swung in a cross from the left alley. Shea Groom redirected the cross back in front of the face of goal and White scrambled her way through a pile of defenders to tuck the ball past Thorns keeper Adrianna Franch.

The goal was White's second in three appearances for Reign FC since signing with the club on July 16.

"I think (White has brought) her creativity (to the team)," Andonovski said. "I think when we lost (Jess Fishlock), obviously (Megan Rapinoe) hasn't played and we're missing a little creativity and I think that's where Rosie steps in and gives us a little bit of that. It wasn't just a goal; she hit the crossbar a couple times. She connected well with the players. That's what we're getting from her. I don't think it's enough but I think there is still a lot to come."

Reign FC centerback Lauren Barnes was named the player of the match after a standout defensive performance that included three blocks, four recoveries and eight defensive clearances to go with one tackle won. Barnes did not commit a foul in her 90 minutes on the pitch, the 10th time this season that Barnes has finished a match without conceding a free kick.

Reign FC was outshot 16-13 by the Thorns, but held a 4-2 advantage in shots on goal. Reign FC keeper Casey Murphy made two saves to keep her fifth clean sheet of the season.

Andonovski said his squad's willingness to make sacrifices for one another is the driving force behind his team's success.

"It's the true meaning of family," Andonovski said. "When I say we have a family environment and a group that exists like a family, I mean it. A lot of teams say 'this is our family,' I would challenge anyone to come and guess anything this group is doing. They are so together. They are so united. It's amazing. I have been in this game for so long as player, coach, spectator and I have never seen anything like this. It's obvious. It shows that's what keeps us going."

Reign FC finishes out a busy week against Utah Royals FC on Sunday, August 11 at 1:00 p.m. PT. The club won its first meeting with Utah on the road on June 28.

Match Report

Match: Reign FC vs. Portland Thorns FC

Date: August 7, 2019

Venue: Cheney Stadium, Tacoma, Wash.

Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. PT

Weather: 70 degrees, sunny

Attendance: 5,865

Goals by half 1 2 Total

RFC 0 1 1

POR 0 0 0

Scoring Summary

RFC - Rosie White 55'

Misconduct Summary

RFC - Steph Catley (caution) 31'

RFC - Jodie Taylor (caution) 78'

Lineups & Stats

RFC: GK Casey Murphy, D Steph Catley, D Lauren Barnes, D Megan Oyster, D Theresa Nielsen*, M Allie Long, M Rosie White (Celia Jiménez Delgado 83'), M Bev Yanez, F Ifeoma Onumonu (Bethany Balcer 72'), F Jodie Taylor, F Shea Groom (Darian Jenkins 68')

*Nielsen started in place of Kristen McNabb, who was a late scratch from the lineup due to injury

Substitutes Not Used: GK Sammy Jo Prudhomme, M Rebecca Quinn, M Morgan Andrews

Head Coach: Vlatko Andonovski

Shots: 13

Shots on goal: 4

Fouls: 13

Corner kicks: 0

Saves: 2

POR: GK Adrianna Franch, D Meghan Klingenberg (Dagny Brynjarsdottir 82'), D Emily Menges, D Emily Sonnett, Elizabeth Ball (Katherine Reynolds 75'), M Gabby Seiler, M Lindsey Horan, M Tobin Heath, M Christine Sinclair, M Hayley Raso, F Midge Purce (Caitlin Foord 67')

Substitutes Not Used: GK Britt Eckerstrom, M Andressinha, F Ana Crnogorcevic, F Tyler Lussi

Head Coach: Mark Parsons

Shots: 13

Shots on goal: 2

Fouls: 11

Corner kicks: 3

Saves: 3

Check out the Seattle Reign FC Statistics

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