Match Forecast: OL Reign Travels to Portland to Face Off Against Cascadia Rivals

OL Reign will travel to Providence Park to take on the Portland Thorns in the club’s first road match of the 2021 NWSL regular season on Sunday, May 23 at 3:00 p.m. PT. The game will mark the fourth time the Reign have played Portland this season, including two pre-season games and a match in the 2021 Challenge Cup. The clash against Portland will be featured on the CBS Sports Network.

Last Match: 0-0 Draw vs. North Carolina

In the club’s first match of the 2021 NWSL regular season, OL Reign battled to a 0-0 draw against the North Carolina Courage at Cheney Stadium on Saturday, May 15. OL Reign had five players out with injury for the match, leading the team to debut a lineup not seen in the Challenge Cup, including Rosie White’s first start of the 2021 season.

OL Reign started the game on their back foot, defending North Carolina’s attacks for the first few minutes of the match. Though the game was back and forth for the entire first half, OL Reign had just one shot on target, from Jess Fishlock in the 33rd minute. North Carolina did not have any shots on target in the first 45 minutes but claimed 52.4% of possession. OL Reign started the second half applying immediate pressure to North Carolina but struggled to keep possession of the ball. The Reign had six shots in the second half, including two shots on target from Bethany Balcer, in the 61st and 74th minutes, and a powerful shot off the post from Megan Rapinoe in the 68th minute. North Carolina found five shots on target, but Karen Bardsley was solid, coming up with five saves. Despite OL Reign’s pressure on North Carolina, the game ended in a goal-less draw, with each team walking away with one point.

“We did well to earn some chances on goal, but we must be more effective in the final third,” said OL Reign head coach Farid Benstiti. “We are prepared to work hard against Portland. Rivalry games are always a good challenge—we are looking forward to it.”

The draw put OL Reign in seventh place of the ten NWSL teams, with one point and a goal differential of zero, but the team is tied on points with the Washington Spirit, Orlando Pride, Kansas City, and North Carolina Courage.

Scouting Portland

OL Reign last played the Portland Thorns on April 21 at Providence Park, where the club suffered a 2-0 defeat in the club’s second match of the 2021 Challenge Cup. Lindsey Horan and Simone Charley got on the board for Portland in the 16th and 46th minutes, respectively. OL Reign made several substitutions—including the 2021 debuts of Jess Fishlock and Megan Rapinoe—and began to press forward offensively in the 60th minute, but were unable to surmount a comeback. The Portland Thorns advanced to the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup final, where they beat NJ/NY Gotham FC in a penalty kick shootout.

In their most recent match, Portland played the Chicago Red Stars and came away with a decisive 5-0 win. Sophia Smith scored two goals and forced a Chicago own goal, while Christine Sinclair converted a penalty kick and Tyler Lussi came on as a substitute and scored one goal. Morgan Weaver made a strong contribution as well, earning two assists in the victory.

Coming off their Challenge Cup win and a dominant regular season victory last week, the Portland Thorns appear to be in peak form. Portland’s 2020 1st round draft picks Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver connected twice to score goals in the match against Chicago, so it will be critical for the OL Reign backline, who earned a shutout against the North Carolina Courage, to remain strong.

“It is important for us to remain connected and communicating as a team,” Benstiti said. “We are focused on our game and looking to bring three points home.”

History Behind the Cascadia Rivalry

Like the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers rivalry, the OL Reign and Portland Thorns rivalry formed organically, thanks to the proximity of the teams, setting up a battle for dominance of the Pacific Northwest soccer scene.

In the first-ever match between the two teams on April 21, 2013, Portland came away with a 2-1 victory at their home field. OL Reign notched their first win against their rivals just over a year later on May 10, 2014, in Portland, thanks to a goal from Kim Little. The Reign hold the largest margin of victory in the rivalry, as well as the most goals scored in one game in the rivalry. Both feats are attributed to their 5-0 victory over the Thorns in Seattle on July 27, 2014.

In all competitions against Portland, OL Reign has won nine games, tied four games, and lost 14 games. One of the biggest games the two teams have faced off in was the 2018 NWSL semifinal game on September 18, 2018. The game was played at Providence Park, with over 14,000 fans in attendance. Jasmyne Spencer put the Reign on the board first in the 29th minute. However, Tobin Heath tied the game up just before halftime. The Thorns found a second goal in the 77th minute from Lindsey Horan, ultimately defeating the Reign 2-1.

Lauren Barnes Earns Player of the Match Against North Carolina

Lauren Barnes celebrated her 150th regular season match with OL Reign before the game last Saturday. She is second NWSL player to do so and the first player to do so with a single club. Barnes has been with the Reign since the club’s inaugural season in 2013, and has become a leader on the team, both on and off the field.

“Playing with Lu for so long has been an absolute joy. There are some players who you come across with in your career who it just clicks with and that is Lu,” said teammate Steph Cox. “She always makes others around her better on and off the field. Lu is so special and reliable on the field, the simple things she does brings our team to a whole new level.  She is the best leader and captain off the field always thinking of others. Lu epitomizes all of the positive qualities this club, she is always striving to be better, she brings unity and passion to the team and field.  OL Reign is lucky to have had her as our anchor for the entirety of the NWSL!”

Her veteran presence in OL Reign’s match against North Carolina helped the team keep North Carolina off the board and earn their first shutout of the season. Barnes won 100% of the duels she faced last Saturday, while conceding zero fouls. Her leadership and intelligence on the field will be essential to the OL Reign defense against Portland, as she knows exactly what these rivalry matches are like. She will also be a key element to defending the Smith/Weaver combination play in OL Reign’s defensive third of the field.

MultiCare Injury Report

OUT

Watt (right knee)

Celia (right thigh)

Quinn (left lower leg)

QUESTIONABLE

None

How to Watch

Fans can watch the match on CBS Sports Network beginning at 3:00 p.m. PT.