Seattle Reign FC 0
Portland Thorns FC 2
March 20, 2026
Providence Park – Portland, OR
NWSL Regular Season
Portland Thorns FC hosted Seattle Reign FC on Friday night at Providence Park. It was the home opener for the Thorns and match two of an opening run of matches away from Lumen Field for the Reign.
Portland took their opener away at Washington with a clean sheet and an Olivia Moultrie goal.
Seattle also traveled cross country and fought through a several hours lightning delay to take a 2-1 win at Orlando.
The early season Cascadia Derby match added to the home opener atmosphere, with it providing the opportunity to grab three points and set an early season tone for both clubs at the expense of their rival.
The NWSL Cascadia Derby has continued to thrive, even as the legends of both clubs have retired. Jess Fishlock of the Reign is one of the few long time participants, but the younger players of both have taken to the rivalry.
Friday night was the 44th in the series across all competitions. Portland entered the match with a one win lead overall in the series.
Although both clubs have early season injury worries, each started almost the same lineup as in week one. Seattle forward Mia Fishel sat outwith Maddie Mercado starting as the only change.
The match got off to a hot and testy start; with Thorns midfielder Cassandra Bogere getting two quick yellows by the ninth minute, dropping the hosts to ten for the remaining 81 minutes.
Maddie Dahlien nearly took quick advantage with a near post short moments later, but it was wide.
Portland grabbed the lead on a corner in the 29th minute as Pietra Tordin managed a flick header to the far post from the Moultrie service.
Reilyn Turner would make it two nil in the 37th, netting a left footed shot on a breakaway past the sliding Claudia Dickey. Tordin’s long through ball got to Turner in stride and she was solid with the finish. Two goals in under ten minutes a player down had Seattle huddling before the kickoff looking to regroup.
Despite the player advantage, Seattle could not find the net in the first half and had been punished for it going into the break.
Seattle came out of the interval on the front foot, immediately pushing forward into the Thorns end.
A lengthy VAR review around the 53rd minute led to a second red to the Thorns as Reyna Reyes was sent off for violent conduct. Portland was down to nine, but still had a two goal lead.
Both coaches would start making subs. Seattle brought on attackers and Portland fresh defensive legs. The 60th minute saw the home return to the pitch of Sophia Wilson after missing 2025 on maternity leave.
The Thorns defense managed to keep things clogged and get clearances as needed, even as Seattle was pressing and pushing with the numbers up. Morgan Messner has steady hands and control of her goal.
Seattle could not take advantage of the early red, and paid for it. Portland took their chances, defended well, and even survived going down to nine.
Seven minutes of second half stoppage did not see another goal and it ended two nil to the home side.
21,321 was a home opener record for Portland, and they were very loud and involved throughout.
The three points give the Thorns six after two, a great start to any season. Seattle has to rue the points there for the taking.
The Reign next begin a three game home stand at One Spokane Stadium, as Lumen Field has grass installed for the tournament this summer. The Seattle home opener is April 26, with them playing four matches on the grass before it comes back out after the return Cascadia Derby match in July.
