Category Archives: Uncategorized

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Reign FC host Courage with playoff push underway

Seattle Reign FC 0
North Carolina Courage 1
October 2, 2026
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

North Carolina Courage made the trek across country to visit Seattle Reign FC on Friday night at Lumen Field.

The two clubs entered the match at numbers eight and nine in the table, with Seattle being above the line by one point over the Courage.

With all clubs having four matches to play points are at an absolute premium. With two clubs battling for the playoff line getting one crack at gaining points and preventing points the stakes were clearly high.

Both teams came out on the front foot and it got interesting in a hurry. The Courage got in on goal missing just wide in the second minute. The Reign’s Ainsley McCammon got a yellow in the third. A crossbar was hit within five. Both goalies had front of the goal tests in the early minutes.

The first half was end to end. There were hard tackles. Both sides got good looks on goal and had set pieces in dangerous places.

But, no goals.

Seattle’s run of goalless minutes at home was several games long. Ashley Sanchez has had a historic season and the Courage offense has been dangerous.

It was nil-nil at the half.

It did not last long into the second half. The Courage’s Gianna Paul found a goal via deflection in the 48th minute and the Seattle home goalless streak was over.

With so much on the line Seattle would begin to press even more. The Courage began to nurse their lead; not by hunkering down, but by slowing it a bit and sending fewer numbers forward.

The match continued to be played with pace.

Deep into stoppage Seattle continued to look for the equalizer, but could not. The single goal held up.

Three points for North Carolina means they jump over Seattle and above the playoff line. Seattle had pulled up above the line a few weeks ago, but only grabbing three points in the four matches since has dropped them back under the line a couple points off the pace.

There is now an international break to be followed by three final league match days.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

NC – Gianna Paul 48’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Ainsley McCammon (caution) 3’
NC – Erica Meg Parkinson (caution) 73’
SEA – Nerilia Mondesir (caution) 78’
NC – Carly Wickenheiser (caution) 80’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Sofia Huerta, Phoebe McClernon, Ryanne Brown (Madison Curry 62’), Jordyn Bugg; Jess Fishlock © (Emeri Adames 79’), Ainsley McCammon (Sally Menti 71’), Sam Meza; Maddie Mercado, Maddie Dahlien (Brittany Ratcliffe 79’), Mia Fishel (Nerilia Mondesir 61’) Substitutes not used: Cassie Miller, Angharad James-Turner, Holly Ward, Emily Mason

Total shots: 17
Shots on goal: 5
Fouls: 6
Offside: 0
Corner-kicks: 6
Saves: 0

North Carolina Courage – Kailen Sheridan; Natalie Jacobs ©, Feli Rauch, Ryan Williams, Uno Shiragaki; Riley Jackson (Natalia Staude 90+7’), Erica Meg Parkinson (Carly Wickenheiser 77’), Shinomi Koyama; Ashley Sanchez, Evelyn Ijeh (Hannah Betfort 66’), Gianna Paul (Bia Gomes 77’)
Substitutes not used: Madi White, Cameron Brooks, Chioma Okafor, Dani Weatherholt, Vilde Bøe Risa

Total shots: 10
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 11
Offside: 3
Corner-kicks: 2
Saves: 5

Referee: Mark Verso
Assistants: Matthew Rodman, Fernando Fierro
Fourth Official: Drew Klemp
VAR: Joshua Encarnacion
Attendance: 6,952
Weather: 63 degrees and mostly cloudy

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Record setting evening for Reign FC on Friday

Seattle Reign FC 2
Boston Legacy FC 0
September 25, 2026
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Boston Legacy FC traveled to Seattle for the first time on Friday night to play the Seattle Reign FC at Lumen Field.

The Reign came in after a disappointing week where they dropped all six points on the road and fell down the table to ninth.

Lee Pate Photos

Much of the first half was back and forth. Boston looked to press, but was generally unable to create much in the final third.

Seattle tends to be on their front foot, especially at home, so the play moved back and forth down the field.

The story of the first half though came in the 23rd minute. Jessica Fishlock launched a 25 yard long range shots that skipped past Boston Keeper Casey Murphy and grazed the post for the first goal of the match.

With the goal, Fishlock tied fellow Reign Original Megan Rapinoe at 51 goals in league play with the club. With a few matches left in the season, the club all time goals record is within reach. If not, the tie atop that list seems appropriate.

Or, just until the 65th minute. Fishlock would again strike a long range shot from top of the box and made it two nil for the home side.

The 52nd league goal means Fishlock will retire as the clubs leading scorer at the end of the season.

Boston continued to press, looking to equalize. the Legacy managed the majority of the possession and could foray into the Seattle defensive third, but were unable to break through. Their expansion season may not end up in the post-season, but there are interesting things happening there.

The Reign FC defensive effort saw out a league record fifth consecutive clean sheet at home and nabbed them three very important points. After dropping points and below the playoff line, the win bumped them back up above it on the night. Later results over the weekend will determine where they actually are with four matches remaining.

The historic goals and defensive effort were in the end the stories of the match. The text exchange tonight between Reign OG’s will be one for the ages.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – Jess Fishlock 23’
SEA – Jess Fishlock (Maddie Dahlien) 64’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

BOS – Deja Davis (caution) 18’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Sofia Huerta, Phoebe McClernon, Ryanne Brown (Madison Curry 77’), Jordyn Bugg; Jess Fishlock © (Sally Menti 68’), Ainsley McCammon, Sam Meza (Angharad James-Turner 85’); Maddie Mercado, Maddie Dahlien (Nerilia Mondesir 84’), Mia Fishel (Brittany Ratcliffe 77’) – Substitutes not used: Cassie Miller, Emeri Adames, Holly Ward, Emily Mason

Total shots: 15
Shots on goal: 5
Fouls: 6
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 5
Saves: 2

Boston Legacy FC – Casey Murphy; Jorelyn Carabalí, Nicki Hernandez, Deja Davis (Lilly Reale 56’), Bianca St-Georges ©; Annie Karich, Barbara Olivieri (Amanda Gutierres 75’), Alba Caño; Samantha Smith (Ella Stevens 75’), Aïssata Traoré, Sarah Schupansky – Substitutes not used: Laurel Ivory, Kaká, Josefine Hasbo, Amanda Allen, Aleigh Gambone

Total shots: 8
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 11
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 6
Saves: 3

Referee: Elton Garcia
Assistants: Christian Clerc, Logan Reeves
Fourth Official: Robert Vincze
VAR: Amin Hadzic
Attendance: 7,116
Weather: 57 degrees and mostly cloudy

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Reign FC 2-0 over Bay FC in the Seattle rain

Seattle Reign FC 2
Bay FC 0
September 12, 2026
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

The NWSL playoff run-in is in full swing in September. Bay FC traveled up the coast for a match against Seattle Reign FC at Lumen Field on Saturday evening.

The Reign have been on a streak at home for the past month, with three consecutive one nil victories.

Bay FC are looking up the table, but are getting close to mathematical elimination for 2026.

Lee Pate Photos

The first half started off with the hosts a bit on the front foot. Seattle would create several interesting and dangerous chances on goal in the early going.

Reign FC was having particular luck early down the left flank, but over the course of the half Bay would adjust and slow that down. Still, Seattle managed a number of good looks that simply did not lead to a goal.

Bay FC found their footing as the first half progressed, but were unable to capitalize on the chances they got. A few of the offensive forays would simply lead to long range shots that would travel over the bar.

A goalless first half would conclude and head into the lockers.

With rain beginning to fall Seattle would get the first break of the second half. Nerilia Mondesir would draw a penalty in the 50th minute along the end line. Sofia Huerta stepped up and converted to give Reign FC the first goal of the match and the lead.

Jenna Nighswonger sent a left foot volley with movement that challenged Reign keeper Cassie Miller. Moments later another Bay shot would be deflected by Miller into the post, keeping the Reign lead intact.

The match was pretty tense down the stretch and the official would hand out a few late yellows. The single goal margin would double in stoppage time as Brittany Ratcliffe would get behind the Bay defense and score to the near post from close range. A fourth consecutive home clean sheet and win suited Seattle.

The three points for the Reign moved them four points above the playoff line in the eighth spot.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – Sofia Huerta (penalty) 52’
SEA – Brittany Ratcliffe 90+2’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

BAY – Keira Barry (caution) 60’
SEA – Mia Fishel (caution) 88’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Cassie Miller; Sofia Huerta ©, Phoebe McClernon, Ryanne Brown (Madison Curry 67’), Jordyn Bugg; Angharad James-Turner, Sally Menti (Mia Fishel 67’), Sam Meza; Maddie Mercado (Jess Fishlock 79’), Maddie Dahlien (Holly Ward 89’), Nerilia Mondesir (Brittany Ratcliffe 89’) Substitutes not used: Elena Milam, Emily Mason, Shae Holmes, Ruby Hladek

Total shots: 15
Shots on goal: 6
Fouls: 11
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 4

Bay FC – Jordan Silkowitz; Heather Gilchrist, Joelle Anderson, Maddie Moreau, Jenna Nighswonger; Taylor Huff (Alex Pfeiffer 80’), Claire Hutton, Hannah Bebar (Agostina Holzheier 90’); Racheal Kundananji, Cristiana Girelli (Caroline Conti 81’), Keria Barry (Karlie Lema 67’)
Substitutes not used: Camryn Miller, Kelli Hubly, Sydney Collins, Dorian Bailey, Aldana Cometti

Total shots: 11
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 14
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 3
Saves: 4

Referee: Lauren Aldrich
Assistants: Alicia Messer, Darren Bandy
Fourth Official: Kelsey Harms
VAR: Promise Adebayo-Ige
Attendance: 8,191
Weather: 66 degrees and cloudy

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Reign host San Diego Wave FC in Seattle

Seattle Reign FC 1
San Diego Wave FC 0
September 6, 2026
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

The calendar turning to September means the NWSL run in has begun. Playoff positioning was on the line Sunday evening in Seattle as Reign FC hosted San Diego Wave FC at Lumen Field.

Seattle needed points to get back up above the playoff line. San Diego had the opportunity to move into home hosting playoff position.

Lee Pate Photos

The visitors came out of the gate matching Seattle on the front foot. Wave FC looked to have the best of the play the first ten or so minutes.

However, Mimi Van Zanten was sent off after a VAR review of a foul on Maddie Dahlien and the complexion of the game changed very early.

It would take a while and banging on the door with a number of shots, but Seattle would finally break through in the 29th minute on a header from Maddie Mercado. Dahlien managed a cross from near the goal line and the far post runner Mercado headed it inside the near post.

For Mercado, it was her team leading eighth goal of the season.

With a goal and a player down San Diego could not sit back and did not. As the half progressed, they would push forward and create a number of dangerous chances.

The single goal would be the margin at the interval.

San Diego would continue to press throughout the early stages of the second half. Seattle played patient with the goal lead and player advantage.

The Wave created a number of dangerous chances, but as the match progressed, they simply did not get past Reign keeper Claudia Dickey. Dickey would come off in the 85th as a concussion sub and Cassie Miller would see out the match in goal.

The single goal would hold up. The three points for Seattle pushed them back up into the 8th spot in the table. San Diego would remain in the fifth spot with the result.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – Maddie Mercado (Maddie Dahlien) 29’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SD – Mimi Van Zanten (ejection) 13’
SEA – Jordyn Bugg (caution) 59’
SD – Jonas Eidevall (caution) 82’
SEA – Phoebe McClernon (caution) 90+1’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey (Cassie Miller 85’); Sofia Huerta ©, Phoebe McClernon, Ryanne Brown (Madison Curry 86’), Jordyn Bugg; Angharad James-Turner, Sally Menti (Jess Fishlock 64’), Sam Meza; Maddie Mercado (Brittany Ratcliffe 90+6’), Maddie Dahlien (Nerilia Mondesir 86’), Mia Fishel (Holly Ward 64’) – Substitutes not used: Emily Mason, Shae Holmes, Ruby Hladek

Total shots: 9
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 17
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 2
Saves: 6

San Diego Wave FC – Sandra Paños; Kennedy Wesley, Kristen McNabb (Tatum Wynalda 90+6’), Mimi Van Zanten, Perle Morroni; Melanie Barcenas (Brooklyn Courtnall 14’), Kimmi Ascanio (Laila Harbert 71’), Kenza Dali ©, Lia Godfrey (Gia Corley 46’); Trinity Byars (Adriana Leon 89’), Ludmila – Substitutes not used: Didi Haracic, Laurina Frazer, Nya Harrison, Gabi Portilho

Total shots: 13
Shots on goal: 6
Fouls: 7
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks:4
Saves: 3

Referee: Abdou Ndiaye
Assistants: Eric Krueger, Laura Chambers Waliski
Fourth Official: Dion Coxe-Trieger
VAR: Jamie Padilla
Attendance: 9,104
Weather: 70 degrees and sunny

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Reign look to move up the ladder versus Dash at home

Seattle Reign FC 1
Houston Dash 0
August 30, 2026
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Seattle Reign FC hosted Houston Dash on Sunday afternoon at Lumen Field.

Both clubs are in position for a playoff run as August comes to a close. The hosts entered the match two points above the Dash in the standings with a game in hand. Three points would be huge for either club as the playoff run in begins.

Lee Pate Photos

Seattle continued its recent trend of pushing the tempo early. The first half saw much of the play in Houston’s half and defensive third as a result.

The Dash were able to defensively hold off the Reign early pressure, looking for opportunities on the counter.

Earlier this season, Reign FC really struggled with creating and converting chances. THe chances were coming in the first half, but they were mostly turned away or off frame.

The Reign pressure paid off early in the second half. A drifting cross past the outstretched Dash keeper Jane Campbell found the foot of Reign winger Maddie Dahlien. Dahlien did well to finesse a first touch back into the goal for the first goal of match.

The Seattle goal altered the flow of play. The Dash were no longer able to simply defend and counter with patience.

Houston pushed forward and managed to move more of the play into the Seattle half. The possession and movement did not manifest into many scoring opportunities. The Reign defense would often stop the Dash forays into their end and turn those into counters.

The single goal continued to hold up as the match wore down. Dahlien got clear and through at Campbell again, but the keeper foot saved the ball away.

Conceding late goals had bitten the Reign earlier in the season. Seeing through a clean sheet even if they were not able to grab the second goal is a significant step for this iteration of Reign FC.

Houston remains in the playoff picture. The Dash defense weathered ninety minutes of pressure and only conceded the single goal.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – Maddie Dahlien (Maddie Mercado) 52’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

HOU – Kiki Van Zanten (caution) 11’
HOU – Miljana Ivanovic (caution) 90+1’
SEA – Brittany Ratcliffe (caution) 90+3’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Sofia Huerta ©, Phoebe McClernon, Ryanne Brown (Madison Curry 65’), Jordyn Bugg; Ainsley McCammon, Sally Menti (Brittany Ratcliffe 84’), Sam Meza (Angharad James-Turner 83’); Maddie Mercado, Maddie Dahlien (Holly Ward 88’), Mia Fishel (Jess Fishlock 88’) Substitutes not used: Cassie Miller, Emeri Adames, Emily Mason, Nerilia Mondesir

Total shots: 17
Shots on goal: 5
Fouls: 10
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 7
Saves: 1

Houston Dash – Jane Campbell ©; Allysha Chapman (Lisa Boattin 81’), Leah Klenke, Natalie Hammond, Avery Patterson; Kiki Van Zanten (Miljana Ivanovic 60’), Maggie Graham, Danielle Colaprico, Linda Ullmark (Khyah Harper 60’); Kat Rader, Kate Faasse (Cate Hardin 72’) Substitutes not used: Carolina DeLisle, Hillary Beall, Messiah Bright, Clarissa Larisey, Paige Nielsen

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

Referee: Laura Rodriguez
Assistants: Matthew Schwartz, Christian Clerc
Fourth Official: Elorm Atisu
VAR: Matthew Corrigan
Attendance: 7,878
Weather: 69 degrees and partly cloudy

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Reign 1-0 over The Stars in Seattle

Seattle Reign FC 1
Chicago Stars FC 0
August 14, 2026
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Chicago Stars FC made their annual trek to Seattle to face off with Reign FC in a Friday night match up.

The Seattle offense has come to life in recent matches. A hard fought draw at home on Sunday against Angel City still showed good signs of an offensive resurgence.

The Stars have struggled on the road, but the NWSL does not forgive a team that takes another side lightly.

Lee Pate Photos

The crowd was treated to a fairly wide open first half hour. Seattle came out on the front foot, enjoyed much of the possession, and set up a number of dangerous situations.

Chicago successfully absorbed most of the Reign attack, but a number of saves and deflections kept the hosts off the scoreboard early. The Stars would also create a number of interesting opportunities on Reign keeper Claudia Dickey, mostly when they were able to get the ball to Mallory Swanson in the attacking third. Swanson sliced through to put the Seattle defense on their heels a number of times, including a dangerous ball into the side netting in the 26th minute.

The goalless first half would draw to a close with Seattle not getting a VAR awarded penalty. The sides would go into the interval level.

It would not take long for the Reign to break open the scoring coming out of the half. Maddie Mercado would nab her team leading sixth goal of the season in the 53rd minute. A number of early chances in the half had not broke through; but a long run down the left side and a low driving cross would eventually get the ball to Mercado’s left foot and the back of the net.

The Chicago defense managed to hold off a steady series of attacks from Reign FC as the match wore on. The single goal margin meant the dangerous counter could equalize and nab a point.

Seattle kept their foot on the gas, looking for the elusive second goal to give their defense some breathing space, but time and again it was thwarted.

The single goal would stand up in the end. Three massive points for a Reign squad fighting to get above the playoff line. For Chicago, it was a tough loss in a tough season, but they played hard and made Seattle earn it.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – Maddie Mercado 53’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

None

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Sofia Huerta ©, Phoebe McClernon, Jordyn Bugg, Madison Curry (Ryanne Brown 83’); Angharad James-Turner, Ainsley McCammon, Sally Menti (Emeri Adames 83’); Maddie Mercado (Brittany Ratcliffe 90+2’), Maddie Dahlien (Holly Ward 70’), Mia Fishel (Nerilia Mondesir 70’) Substitutes not used: Evan O’Steen, Cassie Miller, Shae Holmes, Ruby Hladek

Total shots: 24
Shots on goal: 6
Fouls: 4
Offside: 0
Corner-kicks: 13
Saves: 2

Chicago Stars FC – Katie Atkinson; Sam Staab, Taylor Wood, Leila Ouahabi, Maitane; Manaka Hayashi, Anna Gasper (Bea Franklin 46’), Tess Dellarose; Jameese Joseph (Jenna Bike 74’), Mallory Swanson (Nádia Gomes 46’), Brianna Pinto (Micayla Johnson
74’) Substitutes not used: Alyssa Naeher, Halle Mackiewicz, Elise Evans

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

Referee: Marie Durr
Assistants: Peter Hanson, Clarence Clark
Fourth Official: Christopher Calderon
VAR: Shawn Tehini
Attendance: 7,646
Weather: 75 degrees and sunny

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Reign draw Angel City at home 2-2

Seattle Reign FC 2
Angel City FC 2
August 9, 2026
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Seattle Reign FC hosted Angel City FC on Sunday evening at Lumen Field in a match up of sides currently battling for the final playoff position.

Both clubs have played well coming out of the international break; each nabbing multiple wins and playing into the playoff line region of the table.

Lee Pate Photos

Much of the early stages Angel City pressed for an early goal. Seattle seemed content to absorb and counter, as even several corners failed to generate much danger. With Sveindis Jonsdottir not available, it appeared the visitors were looking to nab the early advantage without her.

As the half progressed, the hosts began to change the flow of play. Maddie Mercado was on the end of a few sequences in the middle stages of the half that were dangerous, and seemed to open spaces for Seattle. Mercado entered the match with a team leading five goals.

Gisele Thompson Would open the scoring in the 32nd minute. A nice cut back to her left and shot from the top of the box to the bottom of the near post beat a diving Claudia Dickey. All of the back and forth of the first half hour and the goal came from an overlapping defender playing forward.

The single Angel City goal would carry into the interval.

Sally Menti would level the match in the 50th minute. Seattle came out more on their front foot in the opening minutes and it paid off. Mercado managed to pressure the Angel City defense into a difficult clearance. Mia Fishel sent a through ball to Menti, who managed a left foot switch and shot.

The goal was followed up not two minutes later as Fishel would left foot chip Angelina Anderson from top of the box. The sudden lead and turnaround appeared cathartic for the hosts, who have had little success at Lumen in 2026 winning only one of the first four.

The match would go back level at two in the 72nd minute coming out of a stoppage. Prisca Chilufya would outrun the Reign defense to a long through ball and one touch chip Dickey to the far post.

All four goals scored at this point in the match were simply excellent shots.

Neither side seemed content to play for the draw, pushing forward with numbers when the opportunities arose and making offense oriented substitutions.

End to end play dominated stoppage time. Both clubs created dangerous chances.

The match would end in a 2-2 draw as the hosts looked for a VAR review of a collision in the box to no avail.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

LA – Gisele Thompson (Ary Borges) 32’
SEA – Sally Menti (Mia Fishel) 50’
SEA – Mia Fishel (Sally Menti) 52’
LA – Prisca Chilufya (Evelyn Shores) 72’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Sofia Huerta (caution) 76’
LA – Emily Sams (caution) 86’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Sofia Huerta ©, Phoebe McClernon, Ryanne Brown (Madison Curry 66’), Jordyn Bugg; Ainsley McCammon (Holly Ward 88’), Sally Menti (Angharad James-Turner 75’), Sam Meza; Maddie Mercado, Maddie Dahlien (Emeri Adames 88’), Mia Fishel (Nerilia Mondesir 66’) – Substitutes not used: Cassie Miller, Brittany Ratcliffe, Emily Mason, Shae Holmes

Total shots: 16
Shots on goal: 6
Fouls: 7
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 3
Saves: 4

Angel City FC – Angelina Anderson; Emily Sams, Sarah Gorden ©, Gisele Thompson, Sophia Mattice (Evelyn Shores 69’); Ary Borges Carina Lageyre, Ally Sentnor; Claire Emslie (Prisca Chilufya 69’), Riley Tiernan (Casey Phair 80’), Taylor Suarez – Substitutes not used: Megan McClelland, Karsyn Cherry, Nealy Martin, Faith Nguyen, Jennie Immethun

Total shots: 16
Shots on goal: 6
Fouls: 8
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 8
Saves: 4

Referee: Brad Jensen
Assistants: Chris Schurfranz, Eric Krueger
Fourth Official: Kelsey Harms
VAR: Corbyn May
Attendance: 7,102
Weather: 72 degrees and sunny

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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