Reign 1-0 over Thorns in NWSL Cascadia derby

Seattle Reign FC 1
Portland Thorns FC 0
April 18, 2025
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Portland headed up the highway to Seattle for the Reign’s 2025 home match of the NWSL Cascadia derby on Friday evening.

Forty-two times now these two clubs have met in official competitions, a rivalry that has only grown since the inception of the NWSL in 2013. The Thorns held a single match all-time advantage in the series prior to the match.

Paul Kahl photos

Nate Koppelman photos

Reign rookie Maddie Dahlien opened the scoring in just the fourth minute. Taking the ball at the top of the box, Dahlien placed a low diagonal drive to the far post past a diving Bella Bixby for the early lead.

The early goal really opened up the end to end play in the early stages of the match. Olivia Moultrie nearly leveled the match moments later, but her low drive went just wide.

The 2025 version was played with many old familiar faces either no longer around or not available. The younger players all seemed intent on matching the intensity of those who have blazed the trail.

Lynn Biyendolo broke free in the 35th minute, but her near post short went just wide. The Thorns attack poked and prodded and also got through a few times in the first half to test Dickey in the Seattle goal, but the early single goal was the margin going into the interval.

Both clubs have gone through a good deal of change in recent months. The young players have been stepping up in the early stages of 2025. Both also have those veterans like Sam Coffey and Lu Barnes on the pitch to create a balance.

The second half remained a fairly end to end affair. Both clubs seemed intent on utilizing their speed to get in behind the other’s back line.

The Thorns nearly leveled several times late and in stoppage, striking the crossbar and putting Claudia Dickey under constant pressure.

The hosts got a scrappy three points. For a Seattle side eager to build a new identity in 2025 and end the conversations about 2024, these points and results are essential. Though still a work in progress, the Reign look to be a side that will not be an easy out for anyone.

Portland was unlucky to go down early and not equalize. The late run of opportunities will feel like at least a point was available and missed. But, there is a lot to build on and around.

The Seattle win levels the series at 16 wins each with 10 draws.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – Maddie Dahlien (Lynn Biyendolo) 4’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

POR – Reyna Reyes (caution) 17’
POR – Kaitlyn Torpey (caution) 45+1’
POR – Jayden Perry (caution) 77’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Lauren Barnes © (Shae Holmes 86’), Phoebe McClernon, Jordyn Bugg, Madison Curry; Angharad James-Turner, Sam Meza; Lynn Biyendolo (Emeri Adames 80’), Maddie Dahlien, Jordyn Huitema (Ana-Maria Crnogorčević 86’), Nérilia Mondesir (Ji So-Yun 65’)
Substitutes not used: Cassie Miller, Hanna Glas, Emily Mason, Ainsley McCammon, Olivia Van der Jagt

Total shots: 9
Shots on goal: 5
Fouls: 8
Offside: 2
Corner-Kicks: 0
Saves: 4

Portland Thorns FC – Bella Bixby; Reyna Reyes (Pietra Tordin 83’), Sam Hiatt, Kaitlyn Torpey (Mallie McKenzie 45’), Jayden Perry; Hina Sugita (Deyna Castellanos 65’), Olivia Moultrie (Mimi Alidou 78’), Sam Coffey ©, Jessie Fleming; Payton Linnehan (Caiya Hanks 65’), Reilyn Turner
Substitutes not used: Mackenzie Arnold, Isabella Obaze, Sophie Hirst, Alexa Spanstra

Total shots: 13
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 14
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 7
Saves: 4

Referees: Jeremy Scheer
Assistants: Jennifer Garner, Sharon Gingrich
Fourth Official: Dion Coxe-Trieger
VAR: Corbyn May
Attendance: 7,609
Weather: 61 degrees and sunny