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

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