Match Recap: OL Reign Experiences First Regular Season Loss in Providence Park Since 2018

OL Reign (8-3-8, 27 points, 5th place) picked up their first regular season loss in Providence Park to Portland Thorns FC (9-5-5, 32 points, 1st place) since 2018. The rivalry match featured an intense battle, but in the end, it wasn’t OL Reign’s night. 

OL Reign opened the match with a chance in the first minute, with forward Jordyn Huitema taking a shot just 12 seconds in. Immediately following that, Portland created a chance at the other end of the field, setting the match up to be an end-to-end battle. 

In the 12th minute, OL Reign goalkeeper Claudia game up big for the visiting side, making back-to-back saves to keep the score level. The match continued on with the teams tied at zero, and the intensity of the rivalry was visible in the on-field play, matched only by the quality of both teams. 

As the half hour mark of the match was approaching, midfielder Jess Fishlock slid to keep OL Reign’s play live at the top of the box, making way for forward Megan Rapinoe to fire off a shot toward Bella Bixby in goal. The shot was low and hard, but Bixby got there just in time to keep it out of the net. 

A minute later, the Reign conceded a set piece to the Thorns, which was served into the box and tapped across the face of goal, before Hina Sugita followed it up, putting it in the back of the net. Portland found another goal just six minutes later, once again on a set piece. After a corner kick was not fully cleared from danger, it was crossed back into the box and Morgan Weaver volleyed the ball into the back of the net. 

After going into halftime down two goals, the Reign started the second half stronger, challenging Portland all over the field. The Reign found more offensive chances, tallying five shots and just as many corners, but couldn’t find the finishing touch to start their comeback. On the other end of the field, Dickey remained solid, ending the match with six saves, tying the single-game high in saves for OL Reign in the 2023 regular season. 

At the final whistle, the match ended in a 2-0 defeat for the Reign. Eight players will now join their national teams during the international window before the NWSL action continues on October 1. 

UP NEXT: OL Reign returns to Lumen Field on October 1 to take on the North Carolina Courage in their annual Kick Breast Cancer Match, presented by MultiCare. Tickets are available HERE. 

MATCH SUMMARY 

2023 NWSL Regular Season 

OL Reign 0 – 2 Portland Thorns FC 

Date/Time: Saturday, September 16, 7:30 p.m. PT 

Location: Providence Park, Portland, Oregon 

Weather: 73, Clear 

Scoring Summary 

RGN: None 

POR: Sugita – 30', Weaver – 36' 

Discipline  

RGN: Sonnett (Caution – 29') 

POR: Klingenberg (Caution – 58') 

Lineups 

RGN: GK Dickey, D Huerta, D Cook, D McClernon, D Barnes © (Holmes 84’), M Sonnett, M Van der Jagt, M Fishlock (Angelina 64’), F Huitema (Bennett 76’), F Balcer (Latsko 64’), F Rapinoe (Quinn 84’) 

Unused substitutes: GK Ivory, M Stanton, D Hiatt, F King 

Total Shots: 9 (Rapinoe– 4) 

Shots on Goal: 3 (Three tied with – 1) 

Fouls: 5 (Rapinoe, Sonnett – 2) 

Offsides: 2 

Corner Kicks: 6 

Saves: 6 (Dickey– 6) 

POR: GK Bixby, D Klingenberg (Reyes 77’), D Menges, D Sauerbrunn (Hubly 46’), D Kuikka, M Coffey, M Rodriguez (Vasconcelos 77’), M Dunn (Moultrie 68’), M Sugita, F Sinclair © (Betfort 68’), F Weaver 

Unused substitutes: GK Hogan, F D’Aquila, D Nally, M Porter 

Total Shots: 14 (Weaver – 4) 

Shots on Goal: 8 (Dunn, Sugita – 2) 

Fouls: 5 (Moultrie– 2) 

Offsides: 1 

Corner Kicks: 1 

Saves: 3 (Bixby – 3)  

Player of the Match: Phoebe McClernon 

Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva 

Assistant Referee 1: Christian Clerc 

Assistant Referee 2: Stephen McGonagle 

4th Official: Jaclyn Metz 

VAR: Robi Hullner 

AVAR: Joel McKell