“The rivalry is so intense because of the history”: Reign FC eyes 44th edition of Cascadia Rivalry

There’s no better rivalry than Seattle vs. Portland.

A rivalry established by proximity but built on hatred and respect, there’s something special every single time the Reign and Thorns go head-to-head. As two of the original NWSL teams from the 2013 season, this rivalry’s roots run deep across the region.

There’s never been a clear frontrunner in the head-to-head series. The back-and-forth nature of this fixture has fostered enmity between both sides, leading to unforgettable battles on the pitch. A passionate battle for regional bragging rights, these matches mean more. Tempers flare, goals are scored, and iconic moments are born. There’s no doubt that key players from each club have become central to the narrative and keep the spark alive year after year.

However, as the league continues to grow and the clubs evolve, the next wave of players have taken the mantle of this this rivalry. They shoulder the responsibility of understanding why these matches mean more to the clubs and to the communities behind them.

“The rivalry is so intense because of the history and knowing all that the history plays into the present and playing for, Jess Fishlock, who's been doing it for the past 12 years fills my spirit up and fills everyone else's,” shared Reign FC defender Madison Curry.

Last season, over half of the Reign’s active roster had never played in a Cascadia Rivalry match. This year, those same players hold new and valuable knowledge, only obtained through firsthand experience.

In 2025, the rivalry series was split between Seattle and Portland, each nabbing one win apiece. The stars of those matches are the people you would expect, the household names and veteran stars on the roster, but also those you may not.

The last couple of seasons, there has been a small but noticeable shift in the structure of Reign FC’s roster. With a few key veterans leading the team, a group of new faces have surged onto the scene.

Part of what makes the Reign so special is the group’s ability to find a near perfect balance of the two groups. As illustrated by the steadily decreasing average roster age, the up-and-coming stars are leaving their own print on the Reign’s DNA, while the veterans of the squad lead the way.

Last year’s rivalry match at Lumen Field saw Maddie Dahlien score her first-ever professional goal, lifting the Reign to three points in front of the home crowd. That match was just the start for now 21-year-old, who finished the 2025 season as an NWSL Rookie of the Year Finalist and tallied four goals and four assists.

And this wasn’t an isolated incident. In the very next rivalry match, this time down at Providence Park, the opening goal of the match was scored by yet another fresh face on the squad – Emeri Adames. Tied with Reign FC iconic Jess Fishlock as the Reign’s leading goalscorer in 2025, she put up a gritty performance in the high stakes meeting.

A once inexperienced group of players now has a wealth of experience under their belts and are ready for even more. Traveling down to Portland to play in front of their home crowd is a daunting challenge, but it’s one that the Reign are prepared to face.

“Both teams have obviously been in the league since the beginning, so I think just kind of claiming our territory a little bit. We're both in the Pacific Northwest so I think claiming that victory is always a huge deal, but we always want to take them down and it's always super hyped-up game. I know when I first signed, all of our older players had like instilled that in us, so I think it's important that we continue that legacy and that every time we go to Portland we're going to beat them,” said Reign FC midfielder Ainsley McCammon.

The entire roster, from veterans to newcomers, will be called upon to step up in the biggest moments, as Seattle weathers a tough turnaround from Orlando to Portland, and then to Spokane for a three-match series.

Laura Harvey said it best.

“We’ve been saying it all preseason. We’re the ones we’ve been waiting for. We’re that ones that are going to go and do it."