NWSL Seattle Reign FC

Reign FC Looks to Rebound in Wednesday Rivalry Tilt with Portland Thorns FC

Published on July 21, 2015 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Seattle Reign FC News Release


SEATTLE (July 21, 2015) - Seattle Reign FC (6-3-3, 21 pts) will attempt to get back on the winning track in a rivalry matchup with Portland Thorns FC (3-4-4, 13 pts) on Wednesday, July 22 at 7 p.m. PT at Providence Park in Portland, Ore.

The matchup is the first of the season included in a national television deal between the NWSL and Fox Sports, and will be streamed live with the Fox Sports GO app and online at www.FOXSportsGO.com. This match will not be available to viewers on YouTube.

Reign FC is coming off a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Washington Spirit last Saturday at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md. The Spirit scored all three goals in the latter 45 minutes of action and snapped Seattle's league unbeaten streak at eight games.

It was Reign FC's third loss of the season, with all three defeats coming on the road.

Seattle sits in second place in the NWSL standings, just one point back of the first-place Chicago Red Stars.

Despite being held scoreless on Saturday, Reign FC's roster boasts multiple players on the NWSL leaderboards. Forward Beverly Yanez is currently tied for second in goals scored with six while teammate Jessica Fishlock is tied for third with five. Midfielder Kim Little sits second in the league for assists at four, and goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer leads the league in wins with five.

Reign FC will continue to compete this weekend without the services of U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) World Cup star goalkeeper Hope Solo.

Solo sustained an injury to her knee during the Women's World Cup and is being evaluated on a game-by-game basis to assess her fitness.

Reign FC forward and World Champion Megan Rapinoe returned to full training with the team on Monday, July 20 and will be available for selection during Wednesday's match in Portland.

Portland was off last weekend, after a 1-0 loss to Sky Blue FC on July 11 at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J. Thorns FC sits nine points behind Seattle in seventh place in the standings and has just one win in its last nine matches.

Thorns FC brings back a league-high eight players from FIFA Women's World Cup competition. That group includes USWNT midfielder Tobin Heath, and the Canadian trio of defender Rhian Wilkinson, midfielder Kaylyn Kyle, and forward Christine Sinclair.

English forward Jodie Taylor, German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer, and Australian defender Steph Catley also return to the Rose City.

All seven could see action on Wednesday for Thorns FC. One notable absence for Portland, however, will be USWNT forward Alex Morgan, who will not suit up on Wednesday after undergoing minor knee surgery earlier in the week.

Forward Allie Long, midfielders Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly, and defenders Emily Menges and Kat Williamson have provided consistency during the absences of the national teamers, starting all 11 games for Portland this season.

Long is tied for third in the NWSL in goals with five, and is third in assists with three, alongside Shim.

Wednesday's game is the first of two regular season matchups between Reign FC and Thorns FC. The two sides will square off again this coming Sunday at 4 p.m. PT on the Moda Pitch at Memorial Stadium.

Last season, Seattle went 2-1-0 against Portland. A goal in the 90th minute from Scottish international Kim Little propelled Reign FC past Thorns FC in Portland on May 10, while Seattle rolled to a 5-0 victory in the rematch at Memorial Stadium on July 27, with a goal each from Little and forward Megan Rapinoe.

Portland won the final game between the two sides 1-0 on August 17.

For details on single match tickets, visit ReignFC.com or call (855) REIGN-FC for tickets. Seats start at $19. If you can't make it to the stadium, download the official, free Reign FC app here to watch every match home and away live via YouTube on your iPhone.

Check out the Seattle Reign FC Statistics

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from July 21, 2015


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