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Thorns 4-2 over Reign in 43rd NWSL Cascadia derby

Seattle Reign FC 2
Portland Thorns FC 4
August 10, 2025
Providence Park – Portland, OR
NWSL Regular Season

Portland Thorns FC hosted Seattle Reign FC in the 43rd meeting of the NWSL Cascadia Derby on Sunday afternoon at Providence Park in Portland.

What began in 2013 as a rivalry of proximity has evolved into real derby. Both clubs have typically been good, playing for trophies with rosters full of internationals. Travelling supporters add a proper atmosphere. All of this and dramatic matches has built a history.

Entering the match, the series was level at sixteen wins each with ten draws across all competitions.

The 1PM start was met with a muggy ninety-something temperature.

Seattle would get on the board quickly. Emeri Adames would get in behind the Thorns defense in the third minute and nudge one in for the early goal and lead.

Portland would look to quickly respond, taking it right back at the Reign and forcing keeper Claudia Dickey into a fingertip save in the eighth minute and a swarm of attacks in the ensuing minutes.

The Thorns would get their equalizer early. An 18th minute penalty was converted by Sam Coffey and things were right back level. Could the pace keep up in the heat?

The hosts would go up a goal at 2-1 in the 26th minute, Reilyn Turner would get past the Seattle defense and score her 5th goal of the season.

A few close calls for both sides at the beginning of the second half did not lead to a quick goal for either side. But, about ten minutes into the half on a delayed restart, Reyna Reyes would get a header past Dickey.

Seattle would need the reinforcements to step up as the subs starting coming on.

Jessica Fishlock got one back in the 64th minute, netting a diving header. But, the two goal lead was grabbed right back the next minute by Pietra Tordin on the restart. Moments earlier it was a 3-1 scoreline and suddenly it was a 4-2 scoreline.

Mia Fishel would get her first taste of the derby, coming on in the 66th.

Portland’s midfield trio of Moultrie, Coffey, and Hina Sugita were relentless in keeping their Reign counterparts on their heels. The Thorns were able to get and keep possession with the Thorns forwards pressing and creating ongoing opportunities. The Portland pressure kept the ball in the Reign defensive half for significant stretches.

THe match would end at 4-2 for Portland. The Thorns now move ahead of Seattle with 17 wins in the series.

The Cascadia derby atmosphere in Portland was rocking. 21,811 filled Providence Park and were active, even in the sweltering conditions.

An interesting match. The early Reign goal got things rolling. Portland answered and pressed and kept the visitors on their heels much of the match.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – Emeri Adames (Jess Fishlock) 3’
POR – Sam Coffey (penalty) 18’
POR – Reilyn Turner (Jessie Fleming) 26’
POR – Reyna Reyes 55’
SEA – Jess Fishlock (Madison Curry) 64’
POR – Pietra Tordin (Hina Sugita) 65’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

None

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Sofia Huerta, Jordyn Bugg (Lauren Barnes 60’), Shae Holmes, Madison Curry; Sally Menti (Mia Fishel 67’), Sam Meza, Jess Fishlock © (Ji So-Yun 78’); Emeri Adames, Maddie Dahlien (78’), Jordyn Huitema (Lynn Biyendolo 61’)
Substitutes not used: Maddie Prohaska, Angharad James-Turner, Emily Mason, Ainsley McCammon

Total shots: 11
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 11
Offside: 1
Corner-Kicks: 5
Saves: 7

Portland Thorns FC – Mackenzie Arnold; Reyna Reyes, Isabella Obaze, Sam Hiatt, Mallie McKenzie (Kaitlyn Torpey 75’); Sam Coffey ©, Hina Sugita, Jessie Fleming (Mimi Alidou 84’), Olivia Moultrie (Payton Linnehan 84); Pietra Tordin (Deyna Castellanos 75’), Reilyn Turner (Daiane 84’)
Substitutes not used: Bella Bixby, Jayden Perry, Carissa Boeckmann, Alexa Spaanstra

Total shots:  23
Shots on goal: 11
Fouls: 5
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks:  4
Saves: 1

Referees:  Katja Koroleva
Assistants:  Matthew Rodman, Matthew Schwartz
Fourth Official:  Justin St. Pierre
VAR: Jamie Padilla
Attendance:  21,811

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Reign FC 2-0 over Angel City to kickoff second half

Seattle Reign FC 2
Angel City FC 0
August 1, 2025
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

LEE PATE Photos (to be updated)

The second half of the NWSL season kicked off Friday evening for Reign FC and Angel City FC in Seattle.

Seattle is in the middle of a bounce back season. The 2024 frustrations have been replaced by a club back above the playoff line. The summer transfer window saw a big splash with the transfer and signing of Mia Fishel from Chelsea and the return of Sofia Huerta from OL Lyon.

Andel City begins the weekend below the line, but only three points off the final place and well within reach.

Angel City came out more on the front foot. The bulk of the first third of the match was with the Los Angeles side maintaining the majority of possession and attack.

Seattle mostly absorbed and countered in that stage of the match, picking spots for the odd push forward.
When the Reign did forward, their young attackers pressed high and put a good deal of pressure on the City defense.

However, none of this led to an early goal.

Both keepers face a few challenges, but neither conceded as the first half wore on.

The first half chances on goal that were created were good, but few in number. Neither defense broke down and neither offense was over-committing numbers forward.

An entertaining half concluded without a goal for either side.

The second half began with end to end action as both sides were pressing to grab a lead.

Seattle brought Jess Fishlock on at the half. At around the 60th minute both coaches started making the subs.

Fishlock would clean up the clearance and save of her own header, poking in a goal in the 66th minute to reward the crowd of over ten thousand on a lovely Seattle Friday evening.

An Angel City own goal in the 86th minute on a corner kick would push the Seattle lead to two. Fishlock flicked on the corner and it hit an unlucky defender and ricocheted into the net.

The second goal would hold and the Reign would take the three points.

With 24 points now on the season, the Reign have already passed the 2024 mark of only 23 points.

The impact of the returning Huerta was felt throughout the match. The veteran international returned from a season in France and her overlapping service created numerous chances for the Reign.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – Jess Fishlock 66’
SEA – Own Goal 86’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

None

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Sofia Huerta, Phoebe McClernon ©, Jordyn Bugg, Madison Curry, Shae Holmes; Sally Menti (Mia Fishel 81’), Sam Meza, Ji So-Yun (Jess Fishlock 46’, Ainsley McCammon 90+4’); Maddie Dahlien (Jordyn Huitema 64’), Emeri Adames (Nerilia Mondesir 64’)
Substitutes not used: Maddie Prohaska, Maddie Mercado, Lynn Biyendolo, Emily Mason

Total shots: 10
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 9
Offside: 0
Corner-Kicks: 4
Saves: 6

Angel City FC – Angelina Anderson; Sarah Gordon ©, Evelyn Shores (M.A. Vignola 63’), Miyabi; Alanna Kennedy, Kennedy Fuller (Christen Press 81’), Jun Endo (Katie Zelem 63’), Madison Hammond; Alyssa Thompson, Svendis Jónsdóttir (Maiara Niehues 90+4’), Riley Tiernan (Julie Dufour 90+4’)
Substitutes not used: Hannah Seabert, Katie Zelem, Megan Reid, Macey Hodge

Total shots:  8
Shots on goal: 6
Fouls: 11
Offside: 0
Corner-kicks:  4
Saves: 1

Referees:  Shawn Tehini
Assistants:  Christian Clerc, Seth Martin
Fourth Official:  Kelsey Harms
VAR:  Jaclyn Metz

Attendance:  10,117
Weather:  73 degrees and sunny

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Reign FC 2-1 over Urawa Red Diamonds in Seattle

Seattle Reign FC 2
Urawa Red Diamonds 1
July 20, 2025
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
Club International Friendly

LEE PATE Photos

Seattle Reign FC emerged from their international break with a club international friendly against Urawa red Diamonds of Japan on Sunday afternoon in Seattle.

The match with Urawa is the first of two friendlies for the Reign before resuming NWSL play August 1 against Angel City FC.

Recent signing Mia Fishel made her Reign debut after her big move from Chelsea. Returning from loan with Lyon and joining Fishel in the starting eleven was Sofia Huerta.

Urawa plays in the Japanese WE League and come in as the reigning Empress’s Cup champions. The men’s side played in Seattle at Lumen recently during the FIFA Club World Cup.

The club international friendly was a good chance for the Reign to shake off some international break rust and work players into the line up.

With the early stages of the match seeing a lot of end to end movement but little in the ways of chances, it would be a returning player to open the scoring. Sofia Huerta would get on the end of a Urawa clearance and volley low from outside the box to the near post in the 27th minute.

Seattle has done well in 2025 with squad rotation and was playing without some internationals. After a frustrating 2024, the Reign have got to the midseason break above the playoff line.

Urawa would answer the Huerta goal with a leveller in the 35th. A Red Diamonds corner would would find an open Takatsuka Ena for a soft touch to the lower far post.

The Seattle depth was on display as Reign coach Laura Harvey pread out minutes in the friendly. Newly capped Sam Meza made an immediate impact. Emeri Adames was all over the Urawa back line, coming on for Fishel.

Reign forward Jordyn Huitema was fouled in the box in the 53rd minute and Huerta would grab her brace, converting the penalty.

Seattle’s defense would hold serve in the second half.

The match would finish 2-1 to the home side.

The Reign travel down I5 for a Cascadia friendly with rivals Portland Thorns FC on Saturday July 26 for their second friendly prior to the resumption of league play.

Urawa also will play the Thorns in their US tour on Wednesday in Portland.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – Sofia Huerta 27’
URA – Takatsuka Ena 36’
SEA – Sofia Huerta (PK) 53’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Nérilia Mondesir (caution) 84’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Maddie Prohaska; Sofia Huerta (Maddie Mercado 61’), Emily Mason (Phoebe McClernon 46’), Jordyn Bugg (Hanna Glas 46’), Madison Curry, Shae Holmes ©; Ainsley McCammon, Sally Menti (Sam Meza 46’); Jordyn Huitema (Maddie Dahlien 61’), Mia Fishel (Emeri Adames 32’), Nérilia Mondesir
Substitutes not used: Claudia Dickey, Neeku Purcell

Urawa Red Diamonds – Ikeda Sakiko; Goto Wakaba, Takahashi Hana, Nagashima Reina (Akimoto Kanon 74’), Sakurai Madoka (Okamura Raika 63’); Ito Miki, Tsunoda Fuka (Shibata Hanae 73’), Takatsuka Ena (Kato Chika 63’), Tanno Ririka (Fujisaki Satoko, 63’), Sakakibara Kotono (Ando Kozue 73’); Shimada Mei (Sugasawa Yuika 74’)
Substitutes not used: Ino Maya, Easther Mayi Kith

Attendance: 6,495

Weather: 64 degrees and cloudy

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Spirit hand Reign a home loss

Seattle Reign FC 1
Washington Spirit 2
May 23, 2025
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Seattle Reign FC hosted Washington Spirit on Friday night in Seattle.

The two clubs have played numerous important matches over the years as NWSL originals. Once again, both clubs find themselves jockeying for position in the table; entering the match only a few points apart and above the playoff line.

2025 Reign FC matches have been tense, low scoring affairs. A gritty ability to fight through single goal games and grab points has set this season already apart from the 2024 campaign.

The Spirit have been involved in a number of high scoring shoot outs. Goals scored and conceded have been in big numbers of late.

Something had to give.

A brisk pace set the tone early. The Spirit took it right at the hosts, nearly going up early on a VAR overturned goal, and then grabbing the actual lead a few minutes later from Croix Bethune that VAR confirmed.

The Reign would equalize quickly. Shae Holmes wold capitalize with a close range blast. It appeared the race was on.

Washington would continue its high pressure and pace and keep the hosts on their heels for the bulk of he first half. Reign keeper Claudia Dickey saw much activity in front of her goal as her defense was hustling to disrupt and defend the Spirit attack. Dickey signed a three year extension and was announced as a national team call up earlier in the week.

All that Spirit pressure allowed them to retake the lead in the 35th minute. Ashley Hatch would get on the end of a Gift Monday low drive from short range to make the match 2-1.

The first half would end with the single goal lead.

Not much changed as the second half got underway insofar as pace of play. Seattle managed more of the early play but could not get a clean chance to pressure Spirit keeper Aubrey Kingsbury.

The young Seattle line up gave way to the veterans off the bench with Lynn Biyendolo and the return of Jessica Fishlock. Despite a few chances and set pieces, the second goal for Seattle wold not come.

The single goal would hold up and Washington leaves Seattle with three huge points as the international break ebbs closer.

MATCH SUMMARY

Seattle Reign FC 1 – Washington Spirit 2
Friday, May 23, 2025
Venue: Lumen Field
Referees: Brad Jensen
Assistants: Fernando Fierro, Eric Krueger
Fourth Official: Miles Crumley
VAR: Anya Voigt
Attendance: 7,080
Weather: 61 degrees and sunny

SCORING SUMMARY

WAS – Croix Bethune (Casey Krueger) 11’
SEA – Shae Holmes 17’
WAS – Ashley Hatch (Gift Monday) 35’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

WAS – Narumi Miura (caution) 50’
SEA – Shae Holmes (caution) 55’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Lauren Barnes ©, Phoebe McClernon, Jordyn Bugg, Madison Curry, Shae Holmes (Nérilia Mondesir 74’); Angharad James-Turner (Ji So-Yun 74’), Sam Meza; Maddie Dahlien (Sally Menti 89’), Jordyn Huitema (Lynn Biyendolo 62’), Emeri Adames (Jess Fishlock 61’)
Substitutes not used: Maddie Prohaska, Emily Mason, Ainsley McCammon, Hanna Glas

Total shots: 7
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 6
Offside: 2
Corner-Kicks: 3
Saves: 2

Washington Spirit – Aubrey Kingsbury ©; Casey Krueger (Kiley Dulaney 81’), Rebeca Bernal, Tara McKeown, Gabby Carle, Esme Morgan (Kysha Sylla 66’); Narumi Miura, Croix Bethune (Hal Hershfelt 66’); Rosemonde Kouassi (Brittany Ratcliffe 89’), Gift Monday (Makenna Morris 81’), Ashley Hatch
Substitutes not used: Sandy MacIver, Courtney Brown, Heather Stainbrook, Meg Boade

Total shots: 17
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 9
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 3
Saves: 1

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Reign host Dash on Mother’s Day

Seattle Reign FC 0
Houston Dash 0
May 11, 2025
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Lee Pate Photos

Seattle Reign FC hosted Houston Dash on Mother’s Day at Lumen Field.

Houston is near the bottom of the table in the early going. A road win or point would be a big result.

Reign FC look to continue their resurgence in 2025. Positive results and clean sheets have put Seattle in a position to jump up in to the top tier of the table with three points.

The first half was a spirited, but ultimately goalless affair.

Much of the half was spent with both sides moving the ball about quickly, looking for openings, but not breaking through. The pressing and pressure did not lead to many chances until well into the half.

It was in the 33rd minute that the first real dangerous chance on goal would come for either side. Reign rookie Maddie Dahlien would manage a quick cut in and near post blast that would just go wide.

From there, the pace would pick up even more, and chances started to happen. Dash pressure on the counter was getting them into the Seattle third, but only to be dealt with by the Reign defenders.

There were a few more dangerous chances for Seattle on the counter and through a few corner kicks. The field turf and Houston team defenses would be enough.

With the match still level and goalless, the second half would also start off briskly.

The Dash continued to bend, but not break. Houston defenders were steadily able to deflect, intercept, and disrupt passing lanes. The Reign offense continued to press, attacking from either flank, unable to get clean looks.

Houston’s patience would be rewarded and Seattle’s inability to break through would be punished in the 57th minute. Maggie Graham would get on the end of a low cross from Ryan Gareis, finishing the chance with a low drive from close range. With that, the Dash were suddenly up a goal.

In a presser on Saturday, Reign coach Laura Harvey had remarked that the success of recent matches against the top of the table teams was great, but they needed to do better against the teams below them.

The Reign would throw fresh legs and numbers forward. The crossbar, some good team defense, and solid goalkeeping from Houston’s Abby Smith continued to stifle each wave of the Seattle attack.

The three points for Houston was a reward for smart play and collective defense. They took their chance and held on against a number of chances.

The missed opportunity for the Reign was a call back to the 2024 campaign. It was a good performance with some chances, but they didn’t finish and paid for it.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY
HOU – Maggie Graham (Ryan Gareis) 57’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA – Maddie Dahlien (caution) 16’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Lauren Barnes ©, Phoebe McClernon, Jordyn Bugg (Maddie Mercado 86’); Angharad James-Turner (Ainsley McCammon 71’), Sam Meza, Ji So-Yun (Madison Curry 57’); Lynn Biyendolo, Ana-Maria Crnogorčević (Shae Holmes 71’), Maddie Dahlien (Emeri Adames 71’), Jordyn Huitema
Substitutes not used: Maddie Prohaska, Emily Mason, Hanna Glas, Olivia Van der Jagt

Total shots: 6
Shots on goal: 1
Fouls: 5
Offside: 5
Corner-Kicks: 5
Saves: 1

Houston Dash – Abby Smith; Natalie Jacobs, Avery Patterson, Christen Westphal (Paige Nielsen 64’), Katie Lind; Delanie Sheehan (Sarah Puntigam 83’), Ryan Gareis (Michelle Alozie 78’), Maggie Graham, Danielle Colaprico; Messiah Bright (Barbara Olivieri 46’), Yazmeen Ryan
Substitutes not used: Jane Campbell, Evelina Duljan, Kiki Van Zanten, Sophie Schmidt, Rebeca

Total shots: 3
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 12
Offside: 3
Corner-kicks: 2
Saves: 1

Referees: Alyssa Nichols
Assistants: Tiffini Turpin, Melissa Gonzalez
Fourth Official: Yannick Rothfuss
VAR: Mark Verso
Attendance: 6,841
Weather: 58 degrees and rainy

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Reign grab three huge points over KCC in Seattle

Seattle Reign FC 1
Kansas City Current 0
May 2, 2025
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Lee Pate Photos

Top of the table Kansas City Current visited Seattle on Friday evening to face the resurgent Reign FC.

Kansas City came into the match after dropping their first points of the season last week. Still top of the table, Kansas City presents a series of issues for opposing defenses while solidly defending and being stingy on defense.

The Reign are a mix of youth and solid veterans with international experience. Early results of the 2025 mix have been good for Laura Harvey. Rooking Maddie Dahlien and other youngsters like midfielder Sam Meza have played like veterans in recent weeks, blending in with the veterans to return hope to Reign faithful after a brutal 2024 campaign.

The hosts had much of the early play, but the Current were able to fend off attacks. The Kansas City defense steadily handled the Seattle attempts down either flanks, forcing Reign attackers to cut back and switch with limited lanes to play through.

The opening goal would come in the 37th minute. Lu Barnes would send a long far post cross in on a corner kick that striker Jordyn Huitema would be able to redirect back to midbox. Lynn Biyendolo would manage a control touch and volley in from the six. For a Reign side that had been struggling to find the net at times, grabbing a first half goal was a fitting reward for their patience.

The match would remain a single goal affair into the second half. Eventually, Kansas City would bring on Temwa Chawinga in the 61st minute, who had been listed as questionable on the availability report and not started.

Adding Chawinga to the attack added a spark to the Current attack. Within minutes there was a long run into the Seattle box that led to a Debinha shot that grazed the cross bar.

The long history of Laura Harvey versus Vlatko Andonovski came into play as the match moved into the late stages. The Current used up all five of their allotted subs by the 76th minute, while Harvey and the Reign were still with a goal lead and their starting eleven. The coaching chess match was on.

Kansas City through it all forward in the late going and stoppage time, testing the Seattle defense a number of times. The Reign would hold on for a one goal victory, three important points, and more evidence 2024 is behind them.

Kansas City drops a tough one on the road, but their status as a top of the table team will always be tested in the hyper competitive NWSL.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – Lynn Biyendolo (Jordyn Huitema) 37’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Lauren Barnes (caution) 57’
KC – Lo’eau LaBonta (caution) 69’
SEA – Ji So-Yun (caution) 70’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Lauren Barnes © (Emily Mason 90+4’), Phoebe McClernon, Jordyn Bugg; Angharad James-Turner (Ainsley McCammon 79’), Sam Meza, Ji So-Yun (Shae Holmes 84’); Lynn Biyendolo, Ana-Maria Crnogorčević (Madison Curry 79’), Maddie Dahlien (Maddie Mercado 90+4’), Jordyn Huitema
Substitutes not used: Cassie Miller, Hanna Glas, Olivia Van der Jagt, Emeri Adames

Total shots: 4
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 9
Offside: 0
Corner-Kicks: 5
Saves: 3

Kansas City Current – Lorena; Hailie Mace, Alana Cook, Kayla Sharples, Flora Marta Lacho (Izzy Rodríguez 61’); Lo’eau LaBonta, Claire Hutton (Rocky Rodriguez 75’), Vanessa DiBernardo (Temwa Chawinga 61’), Debinha; Bia Zaneratto (Mary Long 75’), Haley Hopkins (Ellie Wheeler 75’)
Substitutes not used: Laurel Ivory, Elizabeth Ball, Bayley Feist, Katie Scott

Total shots: 13
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 14
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 3
Saves: 1

Referees: Calin Radosav
Assistants: Bennett Savage, Rachel Smith
Fourth Official: Christopher Calderon
VAR: Jamie Padilla
Attendance: 5,912
Weather: 60 degrees and sunny

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NWSL Cascadia Derby 42, and the answer is …?

Seattle Reign FC 1
Portland Thorns FC 0
April 18, 2025
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Portland headed up the highway to Seattle for the Reign’s 2025 home match of the NWSL Cascadia derby on Friday evening.

Forty-two times now these two clubs have met in official competitions, a rivalry that has only grown since the inception of the NWSL in 2013. The Thorns held a single match all-time advantage in the series prior to the match.

Reign rookie Maddie Dahlien opened the scoring in just the fourth minute. Taking the ball at the top of the box, Dahlien placed a low diagonal drive to the far post past a diving Bella Bixby for the early lead.

The early goal really opened up the end to end play in the early stages of the match. Olivia Moultrie nearly leveled the match moments later, but her low drive went just wide.

The 2025 version was played with many old familiar faces either no longer around or not available. The younger players all seemed intent on matching the intensity of those who have blazed the trail.

Lynn Biyendolo broke free in the 35th minute, but her near post short went just wide. The Thorns attack poked and prodded and also got through a few times in the first half to test Dickey in the Seattle goal, but the early single goal was the margin going into the interval.

Both clubs have gone through a good deal of change in recent months. The young players have been stepping up in the early stages of 2025. Both also have those veterans like Sam Coffey and Lu Barnes on the pitch to create a balance.

The second half remained a fairly end to end affair. Both clubs seemed intent on utilizing their speed to get in behind the other’s back line.

The Thorns nearly leveled several times late and in stoppage, striking the crossbar and putting Claudia Dickey under constant pressure.

The hosts got a scrappy three points. For a Seattle side eager to build a new identity in 2025 and end the conversations about 2024, these points and results are essential. Though still a work in progress, the Reign look to be a side that will not be an easy out for anyone.

Portland was unlucky to go down early and not equalize. The late run of opportunities will feel like at least a point was available and missed. But, there is a lot to build on and around.

The Seattle win levels the series at 16 wins each with 10 draws.

Lee Pate photos

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – Maddie Dahlien (Lynn Biyendolo) 4’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

POR – Reyna Reyes (caution) 17’
POR – Kaitlyn Torpey (caution) 45+1’
POR – Jayden Perry (caution) 77’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Lauren Barnes © (Shae Holmes 86’), Phoebe McClernon, Jordyn Bugg, Madison Curry; Angharad James-Turner, Sam Meza; Lynn Biyendolo (Emeri Adames 80’), Maddie Dahlien, Jordyn Huitema (Ana-Maria Crnogorčević 86’), Nérilia Mondesir (Ji So-Yun 65’)
Substitutes not used: Cassie Miller, Hanna Glas, Emily Mason, Ainsley McCammon, Olivia Van der Jagt

Total shots: 9
Shots on goal: 5
Fouls: 8
Offside: 2
Corner-Kicks: 0
Saves: 4

Portland Thorns FC – Bella Bixby; Reyna Reyes (Pietra Tordin 83’), Sam Hiatt, Kaitlyn Torpey (Mallie McKenzie 45’), Jayden Perry; Hina Sugita (Deyna Castellanos 65’), Olivia Moultrie (Mimi Alidou 78’), Sam Coffey ©, Jessie Fleming; Payton Linnehan (Caiya Hanks 65’), Reilyn Turner
Substitutes not used: Mackenzie Arnold, Isabella Obaze, Sophie Hirst, Alexa Spanstra

Total shots: 13
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 14
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 7
Saves: 4

Referees: Jeremy Scheer
Assistants: Jennifer Garner, Sharon Gingrich
Fourth Official: Dion Coxe-Trieger
VAR: Corbyn May
Attendance: 7,609
Weather: 61 degrees and sunny

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Reign host Pride in Seattle

Seattle Reign FC 0
Orlando Pride 0
April 12, 2025
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Lee Pate photos

NWSL Champions Orlando Pride crossed the country to the chilly Pacific Northwest for a Saturday tilt against Seattle Reign FC. With nine of nine possible points, the Pride are off to a roaring start.

The host Reign have looked a different side than in 2024, earning four points through gritty play. Looking to return to the normalcy of playoffs and contending with some early momentum will go a long way towards reducing supporter angst after the 2024 campaign. Seattle are looking to really get their 2025 going with points against the champs.

Orlando quickly showed the class they have. A third minute push down the right flank led to a dangerous near post drive that Reign keeper Claudia Dickey did well to smother. Much of the first half was a continuation of this as the Pride offence would pick and poke from different angles. The Reign defense did well to bend and scrap and fend off the Pride attacks.

Seattle would get a number of chances on the counter. Forwards Nérilia Mondesir and Jordyn Huitema were frequent targets of the Seattle midfield, looking to utilize their speed to get over or around the Pride defense.

Dickey would face several first half challenges. Reign defenders did well to restrict the Orlando chances much of the half. Orlando’s dangerous attack would eventually get through. The visitor’s would break through with a Barbra Banda left-footed close range goal off a low cross from Summer Yates. Yates would come off after the play with what appeared to be an injured ankle.

Orlando remained up a goal at the half. Seattle had good moments, but their scrappy defense had let one in.

Seattle had to feel unlucky to have conceded late in the half, but they came out fighting to open the second. The Reign would push, bringing on the Reign debut of Lynn Biyendolo. Biyendolo would act as a target, giving the Reign both a target striker type and playmaker up top.

The Reign pressed for much of the second half, creating many chances but not breaking through.

The young Seattle midfield managed to hold back much of the Pride attack up the middle. The Reign would find opportunities up to the end, taking shots from range and having a few dangerous set pieces. In the end, banda’s goal would hold and the Pride move to twelve points from four matches.

Orlando is the defending champions and did enough to win. They got their goal and then defended well enough to take the points.

Seattle may not have scored or grabbed the points, but this was a different type of match and loss than what plagued the club in 2024.

A very young line up and some debut performances with several veterans unavailable could have been a disaster for Coach Laura Harvey’s side. The young Reign took it right at the champions and were not rewarded with an equalizer. They will have to take the performance momentum with them with the home half of the Cascadia Derby on Friday at home against the Thorns.

BOX

Referees: Greg Dopka
Assistants: Seth Martin, Peter Hanson
Fourth Official: Kelsey Harms
VAR: Katja Koroleva

Attendance: 7,721
Weather: 53 degrees and partly cloudy

SCORING SUMMARY
ORL – Barbra Banda 41’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
None

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Lauren Barnes © (Ana-Maria Crnogorčević), Phoebe McClernon, Jordyn Bugg, Madison Curry (Emeri Adames 79’); Maddie Mercado (Shae Holmes 69’), Ainsley McCammon (Angharad James-Turner 69’), Sam Meza; Maddie Dahlien, Jordyn Huitema (Lynn Biyendolo 45’), Nérilia Mondesir
Substitutes not used: Cassie Miller, Emily Mason, Sally Menti, Olivia Van der Jagt
Total shots: 13
Shots on goal: 5
Fouls: 8
Offside: 1
Corner-Kicks: 3
Saves: 3

Orlando Pride – Anna Moorhouse; Kylie Nadaner, Emily Sams, Cori Dyke (Oihane 61’), Kerry Abello (Viviana Villacorta 75’), Haley McCutcheon, Summer Yates (Angelina 43’), Ally Lemos, Marta © (Prisca Chilufya 61’), Ally Watt (Carson Pickett 75’), Barbra Banda
Substitutes not used: McKinley Crone, Morgan Gautrat, Brianna Martinez, Zara Chavoshi
Total shots: 7
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 10
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 5

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Reign host Gotham in NWSL 2025 opener

Seattle Reign FC 1
NJ/NY Gotham FC 1
March 15, 2025
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Lee Pate Photos

Seattle Reign FC hosted Gotham FC on Saturday night at Lumen Field in the 2025 NWSL opener for both clubs.

Host Seattle is ready to put a frustrating 2024 in the rear view mirror. A return to the postseason is the objective for 2025, as the club continues to work in a wave of young talent with the core of veterans. The home debut of the major offseason acquisition of Lynn Biyendolo would have to wait.

The visitors from New York have seen a number of high profile players depart the club over the offseason. Getting a cross country trip out of the way early can be a good thing. Starting the campaign with Rose Lavelle and Midge Purce both out could be interesting.

A downpour unlike the usual Seattle drizzle made for interesting early going.

The first half was a back and forth affair. Each side had moments of play where things rolled together and chances were created. However, both also looked at times like teams in search of their footing in an opener.

A few decent sequences led to a few chances, but real danger was not created in the first half hour.

The match went into the half level and goalless, matching the weather and play.

Gotham would open the scoring early in the second half. In the 47th minute, Gabi Portilho would get the visitors on the board with a long shot from the top of the box that took a mild deflection.

A number of yellow cards were issued late in the first and the early second half as the match got more physical.

Matters would go level in the 71st minute. Reign wing Emeri Adames would manage to poke in a goal amidst a goal mouth scramble. Adames had only entered the match a few minutes earlier, bringing a surge of energy to the Seattle attack.

Gotham would face additional challenges in the waining minutes when Mandy Freeman would be sent off for a hard foul on Reign forward Nérilia Mondesir after a VAR review.

The level scoreline would hold up through an extended stoppage time. Splitting the points from a physical game in poor weather was not a terrible result for either side.

Seattle coach Laura Harvey reflected that this was a match they would have found a way to lose last year. Both clubs showed resiliency given the circumstances.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

NJ/NY – Gabi Portilho 47’
SEA – Emeri Adames 71’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

NJ/NY – Gabi Portilho (caution) 38’
SEA – Jordyn Huitema (caution) 42’
SEA – Jordyn Bugg (caution) 52’
NJ/NY – Sarah Schupansky (caution) 66’
NJ/NY – Jaelin Howell (caution) 74’
NJ/NY – Mandy Freeman (ejection) 87’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Phoebe McClernon, Jordyn Bugg, Madison Curry, Shae Holmes; Angharad James-Turner (Maddie Mercado 69’); Jess Fishlock (c), Ji So-Yun (Sam Meza 90’); Maddie Dahlien (Emeri Adames 69′), Ana-Maria Crnogorčević (Nérilia Mondesir 58’), Jordyn Huitema
Substitutes not used: Cassie Miller, Lauren Barnes, Emily Mason, Ainsley McCammon

Total shots: 7
Shots on goal: 1
Fouls: 14
Offside: 1
Corner-Kicks: 3
Saves: 3

NJ/NY Gotham FC – Ann-Katrin Berger; Jess Carter, Tierna Davidson (c), Emily Sonnett, Mandy Freeman; Nealy Martin, Sarah Schupansky (Lilly Reale 90′), Jaelin Howell; Ella Stevens, Gabi Portilho (Cece Kizer 73’), Esther González (Mckenna Whitham 90+3′)
Substitutes not used: Shelby Hogan, Taryn Torres, Ryan Campbell, Khyah Harper, Stella Nyamekye

Total shots: 11
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 11
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 5
Saves: 0

Referees: Alexandra Billeter
Assistants: Tiffini Turpin, Art Arustamyan
Fourth Official: Benjamin Meyer
VAR: Patricia McCracken
Attendance: 8,467
Weather: 42 degrees and heavy rain

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Sounders advance past Antigua in Champions Cup

Seattle Sounders FC 3
Antigua GFC 1
February 26, 2025
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
CONCACAF Champions Cup

Seattle Sounders FC hosted Antigua GFC on Wednesday evening in Seattle in the return leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup tie. The hosts took the first leg on the road 3-1 on February 19th. The winner of the tie will be set to face Cruz Azul in the Round of 16.

Seattle entered the match with both a two goal cushion and three away goals. With the Champions Cup matches wedged midweek during the first league matches, Seattle was getting an early taste of how the 2025 schedule crunch will be. Antigua arrived in Seattle with the deficit in the tie and needing to return to a league match on the weekend.

The hosts would also get on the scoreboard first. Pedro de la Vega would break through in the 24th minute; scoring his second in the tie and first goal of any kind at Lumen. The early matches of 2025 seem to indicate de la Vega is in the form the SOunders had hoped for when signing him a year ago.

Antigua made excellent use of counters and switches throughout the first half. The Guatamalen side eleveled in first half stoppage utilizing a diagonal ball deep into the Sounders penalty area. Jose Galvez would get a far post short range touch past Sounder keeper Andrew Thomas. VAR confirmed the goal and the match entered the half level at one.

The late first half goal altered the match coming out of the half. Seattle came out pressing early, not merely sitting on their lead.

The pressure would pay off with a goal in the 53rd minute. Paul Arriola would slot home a right footed shot off a pass from Jesus Ferreira to put Seattle back up 2-1.

Antigua would continue to attempt to press forward, getting a few good looks on goal. Seattle chose to continue to press for more goals, not merely hanging back and absorbing or killing the game. Second half subs would add energy to the Seattle attack.

Pedro de la Vega would continue his blistering start to 2025 with a late brace. The 88th minute strike would make the match 3-1 and be his third goal in the first week of the season.

As winner, Seattle now faces Mexican club Cruz Azul in the Round of 16 on March 5 at home in the first leg.