Reign boost playoff hopes with win over Thorns

Seattle Reign 2-0 Portland Thorns

SEATTLE, WA–Seattle Reign boosted their playoff hopes with just their second win in their last nine matches after defeat Portland, 2-0. Portland, themselves, missed out on a chance to go top of the NWSL table at the end of the weekend.

The Lumen Field crowd of 14,793 did not have to wait very long to see the Reign go on top. Ryanne Brown came down the flank and sent a shot that just evaded the reach of Mackenzie Arnold and inside the far post in the eighth minute.

Portland pressed for an equalizer in the first half, but were repeatedly denied by the Seattle defense and Cassie Miller. Indeed, Portland would be two down before halftime. Samantha Meza’s cross would be headed in by Maddie Mercado to double Seattle’s lead in the 43rd minute.

The Thorns hit the woodwork twice in the second half–just two of 26 shots for the Thorns–ten were on target. Ten shots were blocked and Cassie Miller made four saves on the day.

The Reign travel to Gotham FC for a Saturday matinee (9am PT, ABC/ESPN+), while Portland travel to Denver on Saturday (11am PT, CBS/Paramount+).

Photos by Paul Kahl