The Portland Thorns got a dream come back!

Last Sunday, the NWSL came back to Providence Park after weeks of absence in official business due to international tournaments, mainly the Women’s Euros and Copa America Feminina. After a 2-1 loss on August 3 at Audi Field against Washington Spirit, it was the league’s first oficial game back in Portland in front of their eager fans. The opposition was nobody else but their arch enemies, the Seattle Reign.

The game started being played way before the 1:00 PM kick off, with the media mental warfare of fan memes, and  spicy player comments that the media devoured in the match’s build up. Up to the very match day. with Portland   posts on social media “It never Reigns in Portland”, and away fans banners  answering immediately “Make it Reign”. They were both wrong.

Seattle with a goal by Emeri Adames in minute 3, caught Portland cold in the middle of the growing heatwave. A cold slap under a heat advisory put in effect that day. Why not play at 1:00 PM when it’s cooler, right? Seattle got the game in their favor, but it was more of a drizzle than a Reign, Portland reacted putting immense pressure on Seattle’s defense, and equalized from the penalty spot via Sam Coffey in the 18th minute.

If did not look like these teams had come out of a month’s break, both teams delivered a high competition performance that made everybody in attendance forget the inclement heat. The teams raised fans from their seats  as the triple digit temperature turned Providence Park into a bonfire, with reports of equipment malfunctions from many in the media, cooling breaks, and the branded bandanas given by the Thorns organizations to fans and media members, becoming everybody’s favorite piece of our gear after wetted with cold water,.

The Portland Thorns resented the disrespect of the quick goal, and after Coffey’s exchange of a penalty for a goal, Reilyn Turne in the 26th minute, would turn the advantage in favor of the home side opening the sky for a Portland win.

The second half saw Portland increase the advantage via Reyna Reyes in the 55th minute, but Jessica Fishlock in the 64th would give hope to the Reign. However, the Thorns were in control of the match and already dictating the pace. That would result in Pietra Tordin’s goal in 65th minute and the Portland Thorns delivering a statement win with a 4-2 comeback.

Portland’s win had them climb to fifth in the standings, just a point away from 4th place San Diego Wave, and 2 points behind Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit, 2nd and 3rd, far from KC Current, who is dominating the league with 39 pints and a goal difference of +22. Portland will now travel to North Carolina to play the Courage to certify its good form and start solidifying its chances for the post season.

The Courage will be a dangerous enemy sitting 9th in the table with 19 points, and a point behind from the last play off spot held by Gotham FC. They will need to secure a win at home to aspire to move on to the post season. From now on, and to the very last game, they will be all finals, and we are assured of plenty of thrilling competition drama in the last straight away of the regular season.

Follow us on bluesky

Follow us on Twitter