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Cascadia Derby MLS style 2026 in Seattle is a thrashing

Seattle Sounders FC 1
Portland Timbers 5
July 16, 2026
MLS Regular Season
Seattle, WA – Lumen Field

The second half of the 2026 MLS regular season kicked off with the Cascadia Derby on Thursday evening with one last match on the world cup grass pitch. An oddly cold evening for July meant there would be no need for hydration breaks.

Things nearly got off to a fast start barely four minutes in. Paul Rothrock would put the ball in the net, but it was off of a deflection in which he was offside on the initial shot.

The hosts would control much of the early play. Portland would be able to get in on the counter and with a few early set pieces, but nothing would come of it in the first quarter hour.

The Timbers would get on the board first in the 19th. Kevin Kelsey would get the finish and the traveling Timbers Army erupted. The goal seemed to frustrate the home side and light up the visitors.

The Sounders would pick it back up as the half progressed. One sequence in the 29th saw the Timbers saved two on frame shots in sequence mere seconds apart.

The match would go into the interval with the single goal scored and Portland in the lead.

It appeared the Timbers were going be patient and let Portland would extend their lead to two nil about ten minutes into the second half.

A well taken set piece service was finished by Kamal Miller from close range.

Moments later, the hosts could only look on in frustration as Portland’s Cole Bassett made it three nil.

The fourth goal by Kevin Kelsy soon followed and the wheels were totally off the bus for Seattle. The three goals in seven minutes was a ruthless barrage rarely seen in this half century rivalry.

The Timbers were playing smart and efficiently, and with Seattle on their heels it was a thorough thrashing with over twenty minutes remaining.

A wave of subs then came on for Seattle as they would play forward to at least grab a goal. Portland didn’t quite park the bus, but they did not play forward with numbers as the clock was their ally. Timbers keeper James Pantemis was excellent in maintaining control of the box.

It looked for a moment like Seattle would catch a break in the 80th minute. VAR would overrule the initial call showing the foul occurred outside the box. Instead of a penalty, the Sounders would get a simple set piece on the flank that did not lead to a scoring chance.

The 87th minute goal by Hassani Dotson was a cathartic moment for the Sounders and the crowd.

Just when it looked like Seattle could at least end the match with the positive of the late goal, the Timbers would grab a fifth in stoppage time to make the scoreline even worse.

The match would end with the visitors taking the points in both the Western Conference and Cascadia Cup standings.

Sounders legends Kasey Keller, Jimmy Gabriel, and Sigi Schmid were honored before the match.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

POR – Kevin Kelsy (Jimer Fory, Diego Chará) 19’
POR – Kamal Miller (Brandon Bye, Ariel Lassiter) 56’
POR – Colin Bassett (David Da Costa, Kevin Kelsy) 60’
POR – Kevin Kelsy 63’
SEA – Hassani Dotson (Albert Rusnák) 87’
POR – Antony Aravena (David Da Costa, Felipe Mora) 90+8’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Jackson Ragen (caution) 41’
SEA – Paul Rothrock (caution) 49’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC – Andrew Thomas; Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (Peter Kingston 64’), Antino Lopez (Stu Hawkins 84’), Jackson Ragen, Nouhou – Captain; Hassani Dotson, Snyder Brunell (Osaze De Rosario 64’); Jesús Ferreira (Paul Arriola 64’), Albert Rusnák, Paul Rothrock; Jordan Morris (Danny Musovski HT) Substitutes not used: Stefan Frei, Sebastian Gomez, Yu Tsukanome

Total shots: 12
Shots on goal: 8
Fouls: 7
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 2
Saves: 5

Portland Timbers – James Pantemis; Brandon Bye, Finn Surman, Kamal Miller, Jimer Fory; David Da Costa, Diego Chará – Captain (João Ortiz 86’), Colin Bassett (Antony Aravena 72’); Antony Alves Santos (Ian Smith 90+1’), Kevin Kelsy (Felipe Mora 87’), Ariel Lassiter (João Caicedo 73’) Substitutes not used: Eric Miller, Tyler Muse, Santiago Jura, Aime Bonetig

Total shots: 19
Shots on goal: 10
Fouls: 7
Offside: 0
Corner-kicks: 8
Saves: 6

Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
Assistants: Nick Uranga, Kevin Lock
Fourth Official: Malik Badawi
VAR: Kevin Stott
Attendance: 35,383
Weather: 65 degrees and cloudy

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Lee Pate’s Cascadia Derby Gallery

Seattle Reign FC 2
Portland Thorns FC 0
Seattle, WA – Lumen Field
NWSL Regular Season
July 12, 2026

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Reign host Gotham on Friday night

Seattle Reign FC 0
Gotham FC 2
May 15, 2026
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Gotham FC made the cross country trek to Seattle for a Friday night match up with Seattle Reign FC at Lumen Field.

The host Reign come into the match in need of goals: having not scored in four matches, not scoring since a March 28 win over Racing Louisville in Spokane.

Gotham has also struggled to find the net, only averaging a goal per match.

Both defenses have been solid, earning both clubs points and keeping them in reasonable playoff position early in the campaign.

Both clubs start a first choice national team keeper. Seattle has USWNT’s Claudia Dickey, while Gotham has German Ann-Katrin Berger. But, it is not just the keepers, it is the pressing both sides do that contributes to defensive mistakes that create opportunities.

Lee Pate Photos

The visitors had much of the early possession and had pressed to force some awkward situations for the Seattle defense.

The first twenty-five minutes was highlighted by Gotham’s Jaedyn Shaw taking advantage of one of those chances. Shaw found herself with the ball at the spot and back to goal, managing to turn and slot a right footed shot past Dickey for the lead.

The pressure and counter was getting Seattle into the Gotham defensive third. However, the first half only found one shot on goal for the efforts, and that a long range strike to the center of goal and Berger. Gotham’s press made it difficult for Seattle to connect coming out of their defensive end.

Gotham would make it two nil early in the second half. Tierna Davidson would find the back of the net with a right footed shot from a corner in the fifty-seventh minute.

The Reign continued to struggle with the Gotham press. A few long range chances and set pieces were not putting Berger under significant pressure.

The hosts put pressure on in the late going, looking for that elusive goal, but the match would end two nil to the visitors.

Gotham grabbed points with a midweek Concacaf W Champions Cup final looming on Wednesday versus America.

Seattle next travels to expansion side Boston Legacy next Friday.

The Gotham match was the final home match for Seattle prior to the World Cup break. The first match back is on July 12; the Cascadia Derby. That match should still be on the grass surface prior to it being removed for the NFL Seahawks.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

GFC – Jaedyn Shaw (Savannah McCaskill) 24’
GFC – Tierna Davidson (Sofia Cook) 57’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

GFC – Jaedyn Shaw (caution) 22’
SEA – Laura Harvey (caution) 90+4’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Sofia Huerta ©, Emily Mason, Phoebe McClernon, Shae Holmes (Jordyn Bugg 72’); Angharad James-Turner (Sally Menti 81’), Sam Meza; Maddie Dahlien, Emeri Adames (Maddie Mercado 46’), Mia Fishel (Holly Ward 62’), Nerilia Mondesir (Brittany Ratcliffe 62’) – Substitutes not used: Cassie Miller, Ainsley McCammon, Ryanne Brown, Madison Curry

Total shots: 9
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 8
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 1

Gotham FC – Ann-Katrin Berger; Tierna Davidson ©, Guro Reiten (Talia Sommer 90+1’), Midge Purce (Lilly Reale 74’), Jess Carter (Emily Sonnett 46’); Savannah McCaskill, Jaelin Howell, Sofia Cook (Katie Lampson 73’); Jordynn Dudley (Sarah Schupansky 84’), Esther González, Jaedyn Shaw – Substitutes not used: Shelby Hogan, Mak Whitham, Andrea Kitahata, Khyah Harper

Total shots: 13
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 5
Offside: 0
Corner-kicks: 6
Saves: 2

Referee: Alyssa Pennington
Assistants: Tom Felice, Eric Krueger
Fourth Official: Christopher Calderon
VAR: Brad Jensen
Attendance: 6,406
Weather: 52 degrees and cloudy

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Seattle drops match to Washington 0-1 on Sunday

Seattle Reign FC 0
Washington Spirit 1
May 10, 2026
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Seattle Reign FC took on fellow NWSL original side Washington Spirit on Sunday afternoon in Seattle.

The Seattle offense has struggled to find the net in recent matches, nabbing points from clean sheets.

Trinity Rodman and the Spirit offense have been able to consistently generate goals. The Reign FC defense would need to slow down Washington and convert on their chances to have a chance at the three points.

Lee Pate Photo Gallery

The first half unfolded in a fairly patient manner. Washington had the bulk of early possession, choosing to take their time poking at a Seattle defense that did not over commit. The result was some set pieces and a few long range chances, but nothing that would challenge Reign keeper Claudia Dickey in that first third of the match.

Reign FC would get some forays up into the Spirit defensive third. Maddie Dahlien on the left flank was a busy target of the Seattle offense. Mia Fishel found herself heavily marked as a target striker, getting her first good look at goal in the twenty-sixth minute.

With neither side taking too many risks there was a good deal of ball movement around the middle third. Trinity Rodman would finally get off a shot in the thirtieth minute.

The match would go into the interval level and goalless.

Seattle would come out of the break a bit more on the front foot. Washington took the pressure and managed to hold Seattle to long range shots, but nothing clear on goal.

Trinity Rodman would come off in the fifty-fifth minute, shortly after a stoppage to look a what appeared to be her right ankle.

The pressing eventually began to create chances on goal for Seattle., but the match remained goalless mid-half.

The Spirit pushed forward as the half progressed, putting pressure on Dickey and making the Reign pay for not finishing their chances. The play was stretched much more end to end in the final third than for much of the second half. The Spirit were reward, taking the lead on an eighty-fourth minute goal from Claudia Martinez from in the middle of the box.

Even with the goal, the Spirit kept up pressing. Seattle would struggle to get forward in the final minutes and stoppage with Washington choosing to not bunker down to kill off the match.

Washington grabbed the three points. One fantastic moment and disciplined defense saw them through.

Seattle continues to struggle to find goals. Their defense was solid for much of the match and simply gave up one truly good look on goal that Martinez punished them for.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

WAS – Claudia Martínez (Gabrielle Carle) 84’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

WAS – Rebeca Bernal (caution) 36’
SEA – Nerilia Mondesir (caution) 65’
WAS – Esme Morgan (caution) 72’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Sofia Huerta ©, Emily Mason, Phoebe McClernon, Madison Curry (Brittany Ratcliffe 89’); Ainsley McCammon (Angharad James-Turner 79’), Sam Meza; Maddie Mercado (Emeri Adames 79’), Maddie Dahlien (Holly Ward 87’), Mia Fishel, Nerilia Mondesir (Sally Menti 87’) Substitutes not used: Cassie Miller, Ryanne Brown, Shae Holmes, Sofia Cedeño

Total shots: 12
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 13
Offside: 0
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 1

Washington Spirit – Sandy MacIver; Kate Wiesner (Paige Metayer 46’), Tara Rudd, Gabrielle Carle, Esme Morgan; Rebeca Bernal (Andi Sullivan 67’), Leicy Santos, Hal Hershfelt; Trinity Rodman (Lucia Di Guglielmo 56’), Rosemonde Kouassi (Claudia Martínez 46’), Sofia Cantore (Gift Monday 67’) Substitutes not used: Kaylie Collins, Élisabeth Tsé, Emma Gaines-Ramos, Madison Haugen

Total shots: 8
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 10
Offside: 0
Corner-kicks: 5
Saves: 3

Referee: Jaclyn Metz
Assistants: Tiffini Turpin, Laura Chambers Waliski
Fourth Official: Dion Coxe-Trieger
VAR: Katja Koroleva
Attendance: 7,597
Weather: 64 degrees and cloudy

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Reign FC home opener versus Utah Royals

Seattle Reign FC 0
Utah Royals 3
April 26, 2026
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Reign FC finally got to play a home match in Seattle in 2026 on Sunday evening at Lumen Field. Utah Royals FC made the trek up to Cascadia for the first match between the two sides on the season.

This was the first match for both sides after the first five match slate and the international break. The host Reign FC sit third in the table with ten of fifteen points. Seattle managed to pull points on the road and from their temporary Spokane home. The first true home match being on April 26 was the latest home opener for any side in the league.

Utah came in with seven points on a 2-2-1 record and even goals for and against. The Royals sat just below the playoff line entering the match with a chance to rise above.

Earlier in the week it was announced that Reign OG Jessica Fishlock would be retiring upon completion of the 2026 season. Seattle supporters gave her a loud ovation.

The opening minute would find Utah with an immediate and surprising lead. Some errant play in the Reign defense led to a quick change of possession. A little chip by Paige Cronin over Reign keeper Claudia Dickey from inside the box to the far post got the match off to a jolt of a start.

The Royals kept their foot on the gas in the opening minutes and got their second in the seventh minute. Narumi Miura’s shot from top of the box took a little deflection and beat Dickey to give Utah a shocking two goal lead.

The early margin would cause both sides to alter their approach to the match. Seattle needed to settle in and get a goal back to change the momentum. Utah would need to avoid becoming lackluster and letting down. As the first half progressed Reign FC would get some chances and counters, but the Royals showed no real signs of hunkering down.

Cloe Lacasse would grab a third for Utah in first half stoppage time. A nice through ball caught her in stride and she took a left footed drive to make Seattle’s mountain even harder to climb.

Time was very much the ally of Utah coming out of the interval. Neither coach made any changes at the break. Seattle would create a few chances, striking the crossbar more than once, but Utah was not breaking.

Jessica Fishlock was stretchered off in the 65th minute with what appeared to be a left ankle injury. An air cast had been applied on the pitch.

Until the 90th minute and stoppage time to kill of the match, Utah never really altered their game plan. There was no hanging back, they kept playing. Seattle just was never able to get in sync long enough to do much more than grab a few momentary chances here and there.

Three nil to Utah was not how Seattle wanted to open their home slate in 2026. The Fishlock injury added a dark cloud to the match.

It is a great result for Utah. The three points put them firmly in the playoff picture, even so early in the season.

Sunday evening’s match also marked Seattle coach Laura Harvey’s 250th match with the club over her two spells on the water cooler.

Photo Gallery by Lee Pate

BOX

Seattle Reign FC 0 – Utah Royals FC 3
Sunday, April 26, 2026

SCORING SUMMARY

UTA – Paige Cronin (Mina Tinaka) 1’
UTA – Narumi Miura (Kaleigh Riehl) 7’
UTA – Cloé Lacasse (Ana Tejada) 45+1’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

UTA – Ana Tejada (caution) 13’
UTA – Janni Thomsen (caution) 70’
SEA – Sam Meza (caution) 80’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Sofia Huerta (Ryanne Brown 78’), Emily Mason, Phoebe McClernon, Madison Curry; Jess Fishlock © (Emeri Adames 68’), Sally Menti (Angharad James-Turner 78’), Sam Meza; Maddie Mercado, Brittany Ratcliffe (Maddie Dahlien 55’), Nerilia Mondeir (Mia Fishel 78’)
Substitutes not used: Cassie Miller, Holly Ward, Ainsley McCammon, Shae Holmes

Total shots: 9
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 12
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 5
Saves: 2

Utah Royals FC – Mia Justus (Mandy McGlynn 82’); Janni Thomsen, Kate Del Fava, Nuria Rábano (Aria Nagai 79’), Ana Tejada (Miyabi Moriya 78’), Kaleigh Riehl; Narumi Mura; Paige Cronin © (Alexa Spaanstra 60’), Mina Tanaka, Kiana Palacios, Cloé Lacasse
Substitutes not used: Tatumn Milazzo, Kameron Simmonds, Brecken Mozingo, Dayana Pierre Louis, Courtney Brown

Total shots: 14
Shots on goal: 5
Fouls: 13
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 6
Saves: 4

Venue: Lumen Field
Referee: Matt Thompson
Assistants: Seth Martin, Kristin Patterson
Fourth Official: Justin St. Pierre
VAR: Brad Jensen
Attendance: 8,211
Weather: 65 degrees and sunny

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In the crowd for a Sounders match

Seattle Sounders FC 4
St. Louis City SC 1
April 18,2026
Seattle, WA – Lumen Field
MLS Regular Season

It was weird to be in the seats. I am so used to not cheering and a reasonably quiet environ, it was refreshing to actually raise a scarf for the first time in a long time.

The Sounders looked good. They scored early and often and only gave up a garbage time goal killing off stoppage that was tough to watch.

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Sounders win 3-1 but Tigres advances on away goal

Seattle Sounders FC 3
Tigres UANL 1
April 15, 2026
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
CONCACAF Champions Cup QF2

Tigres UANL made the trek up to the Pacific Northwest to play Seattle Sounders FC in the return match of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal tie. The first match ended 2-0 for the Liga Mexicana side last week.

Seattle had chances in the match in Mexico, but had to settle for a close scoreline. The lack of a Sounders away goal potentially loomed large.

A late start Wednesday evening match up in poor weather on the recently installed world cup grass created unique conditions at Lumen Field.

The match started off with a brisk pace. The play was chippy out of the gate.

Seattle needed a goal and would get it early. Albert Rusnak would get through in the 11th minute and drive a left foot volley into the net, but the flag was up. Fortunately for the Sounders the VAR was in their favor and the offside call was overturned. Suddenly it was a single goal margin.

The equalizer for Tigres arrived in the 31st minute. Seattle conceded a corner and Joaquim would drill a header to the far post. The match was not merely leveled, the away goal meant Seattle needed to net four to advance.

The visitors managed to settle in on defense to see out the half. Nabbing the equalizer changed the momentum for both sides and slowed the match.

The second half began with the hosts needing three to advance and the visitors needing to see off forty-five minutes. Seattle made it interesting almost immediately, grabbing the second goal just three minutes in. Halftime sub Danny Musovski slipped one past Tigres keeper Nahuel Guzmán.

The Sounders were energized by the goal and the mood in the stadium was immediately altered.

Tigres would take some opportunities on the counter and Seattle keeper Stefan Frei was called on to make multiple saves, keeping the hosts alive in the 61st and 67th minutes.

Seattle got their third in the 82nd minute. Albert Rusnak cracked a long range volley to the far post, bringing the tie level but for the away goal.

Despite throwing numbers forward, the Sounders could not overcome the away goal. The hosts would win 3-1, but the visitors advance to the Champions cup semi.

BOX

Seattle Sounders FC 3 (3) – Tigres UANL 1 (3)

Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Venue: Lumen Field
Referee: Ismael Cornejo
Assistants: Juan Francisco Zumba, Geovany Garcia
Fourth Official: Fernando Moron
VAR: Yasith Monge

Attendance: 20,036
Weather: 42 degrees and rain

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – Albert Rusnák (Cristian Roldan) 11’
TIG – Joaquim Henrique (Juan Brunetta) 31’
SEA – Danny Musovski (Jordan Morris) 49’
SEA – Albert Rusnák (Cristian Roldan) 82’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

TIG – Diego Lainez (caution) 27’
SEA – Danny Musovski (caution) 76’
SEA – Paul Rothrock (caution) 87’
TIG – Jesús Garza (caution) 90+3’
TIG – Diego Sánchez (caution) 90+6’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei – Captain; Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (Paul Arriola 71’), Alex Roldan, Jackson Ragen, Nouhou (Hassani Dotson 83’); Snyder Brunell (Danny Musovski HT), Cristian Roldan; Jesús Ferreira, Albert Rusnák, Paul Rothrock; Jordan Morris
Substitutes not used: Andrew Thomas, Max Anchor, Antino Lopez, Cody Baker, Peter Kingston, Sebastian Gomez, Yu Tsukanome, Osaze De Rosario

Total shots: 20
Shots on goal: 5
Fouls: 16
Offside: 0
Corner-kicks: 5
Saves: 5

Tigres UANL – Nahuel Guzmán; Jesús Garza, Rômulo Zanré, Jesús Angulo (Juan Vigón 83’), Joaquim Henrique; Diego Lainez (Juan Purata HT), Juan Brunetta – Captain, César Araujo; Ángel Correa, Rodrigo Aguirre (Diego Sánchez 85’), Ozziel Herrera
Substitutes not used: Juan Carrera, Felipe Rodríguez, Francisco Reyes, Uriel Antuna, André-Pierre Gignac, Edgar López, Rafael Guerrero, Osvaldo Rodríguez, Isac Galván

Total shots: 10
Shots on goal: 6
Fouls: 8
Offside: 0
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 2

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USWNT drops match 1-0 to Japan at Lumen

USWNT 0
Japan 1
April 14, 2026
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
Women’s International Friendly

The US Women’s National Team took on Nadeshiko Japan at Lumen Field in Seattle. It was the second match of a three match friendly series on Tuesday evening. The first match was won by the USWNT over 2-1 over the weekend.

The match marked the first USWNT match in Seattle at Lumen since a one nil loss to Australia in 2017.

For locals, The Seattle Reign FC was represented by goalkeeper Claudia Dickey. It was also a homecoming for former Reign players Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Rose Lavelle, and Emily Sonnett.

With three matches in the international window there was complete squad rotation from the first match. The young American side had to work hard to break down a disciplined Japanese defense that would bend, but not break. Attacks down either flank would create the first half chances, but the finishing was not there in the box.

Both sides struggled connecting lines, but each had moments where dangerous chances came together. Two opponents with such familiarity were able to frustrate the other.

However, Japan got on the board in the first in the 27th minute. Maika Hamano managed a lovely juke and chip in the box, beating the US defense and Tullis-Joyce for the early lead.

No changes were made coming out the interval, as the starting eleven was given the opportunity to adjust and see if they could break through with an equalizer.

After the 60th minute the changes came in large numbers, as the more veteran members of the squad would enter. For a time it looked as though there could be a breakthrough, as the fresh legs pushed and kept the ball in the attacking third.

The stalwart defending never really broke. The US kept a good deal of possession as the match wore down, but the lanes and opportunities were few.

The Japanese saw out the match, patiently holding off and frustrating US attempts to break them down.

It was a record crowd for a women’s sports event and soccer match in Seattle. Megan Rapinoe’s retirement match had drawn 34,130 to Lumen in October of 2023. 36,128 were on hand Tuesday evening.

The match was the first played on the grass field installed for the world cup.

The third match in the international window series is this weekend.

BOX

Match: United States vs. Japan
Date: April 14, 2026
Competition: Friendly
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, Wash.
Attendance: 36,128
Kickoff: 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET
Weather: 48 degrees and rainy

Scoring Summary:
JPN — Maika Hamano (Maya Hijikata) 27th minute

Lineups:
USA: 24-Phallon Tullis-Joyce; 3-Avery Patterson, 6-Emily Sams, 14-Emily Sonnett (12-Tierna Davidson, 65), 5-Lilly Reale (22-Gisele Thompson, 65); 15-Claire Hutton (Capt.), 7-Lily Yohannes (10-Lindsey Heaps, 71), 13-Olivia Moultrie (11-Sophia Wilson, 65); 8-Jaedyn Shaw (26-Jameese Joseph, 79), 9-Ally Sentnor, 19-Emma Sears (2-Trinity Rodman, 65)
Substitutes not used: 1-Claudia Dickey, 4-Naomi Girma, 16-Rose Lavelle, 17-Sam Coffey, 20-Michelle Cooper, 23-Emily Fox
Not dressing: 18-Jane Campbell, 21-Alyssa Thompson, 25-Kennedy Wesley
Head Coach: Emma Hayes

JPN: 23-Akane Okuma; 2-Risa Shimizu (14-Yui Hasegawa, 79), 3-Moeka Minami 4-Saki Kumagai, 21-Miyabi Moriya (13-Hikaru Kitagawa, 46); 17-Maika Hamano (15-Aoba Fujino, 59), 18-Honoka Hayashi (19-Momoko Tanikawa, 79), 10-Fuka Nagano (7-Hinata Miyazawa, 68), 22-Remina Chiba (16-Yuzuki Yamamoto, 59); 24-Maya Hijikata (20-Manaka Matsukubo, 46), 11-Mina Tanaka (9-Riko Ueki, 68)
Substitutes not used: 1-Ayaka Yamashita, 6-Toko Koga, 12-Chika Hirao
Head coach: Michihisa Kano

Stats Summary: USA / JPN
Shots: 12 / 9
Shots on Goal: 5 / 5
Saves: 4 / 5
Corner Kicks: 3 / 2
Fouls: 3 / 13
Offside: 3 / 4

Misconduct Summary:
JPN – Miyabi Moriya (Caution) 37th minute

Officials:
Ref: Janeishka Caban (PUR)
AR1: Lourdes Noriega (HON)
AR2: Santa Medina (DOM)
Fourth: Sandra Benitez (SLV)

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Thorns 2-0 over Reign in Portland Friday night

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.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

POR – Pietra Tordin (Olivia Moultrie) 28’
POR – Reilyn Turner (Pietra Tordin) 37’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

POR – Cassandra Bogere (caution) 8’
POR – Cassandra Bogere (caution; ejection) 9’
POR – Reyna Reyes (ejection) 57’
POR – Marie Müller (caution) 58’
SEA – Laura Harvey (caution) 84’
SEA – Holly Ward (caution) 90+1’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Sofia Huerta, Emily Mason (Brittany Ratcliffe 68’), Phoebe McClernon (Angharad James-Turner 78’), Madison Curry; Jess Fishlock © (Emeri Adames 68’), Ainsley McCammon (Holly Ward 68’), Sam Meza; Maddie Mercado, Maddie Dahlien, Nerilia Mondesir (Sofia Cedeño 78’)
Substitutes not used: Neeku Purcell, Ryanne Brown, Ruby Hladek, Keeley Dockter

Total shots: 17
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 13
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 8
Saves: 2

Portland Thorns FC – Morgan Messner; Reyna Reyes, Isabella Obaze, Sam Hiatt M.A. Vignola; Cassandra Bogere, Olivia Moultrie, Jessie Fleming; Pietra Tordin (Sophia Wilson 59’), Mimi Alidou (Jayden Perry 65’), Reilyn Turner (Marie Müller 59’)
Substitutes not used: Mackenzie Wood, Deyna Castellanos, Maddie Padelski, Shae Harvey, Mallie Mackenzie, Jennie Immethun

Total shots: 8
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 7
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 4

Seattle Reign FC 0 – Portland Thorns FC 2
Friday, March 20, 2026
Venue: Providence Park
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic
Assistants: Christian Clerc, Darren Bandy
Fourth Official: Dion Coxe-Trieger
VAR: Shawn Tehini
Attendance: 21,321
Weather: 59 degrees and cloudy