On This Day in Reign History: Doubleheader

Aug 29

One year ago today, OL Reign played their first ever game at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. The game was part of Seattle’s first-of-its-kind doubleheader event. OL Reign and Sounders FC took on their fiercest rivals, the Portland Thorns and Portland Timbers.

It was a great day for OL Reign, as the team earned a very important three points in front of a record-breaking crowd of 27,278 fans at Lumen Field. OL Reign took the early lead and set the tone for the match when Cascadia rivalry veterans, Megan Rapinoe and Jess Fishlock, connected. Fishlock played a through ball to Rapinoe, who took a few touches until she reached the top of the 18-yard box and found the back of the net with a low and hard shot in the 16th minute.

Before the first half was over, OL Reign found the back of the net a second time. Portland conceded a penalty kick after a handball in the box. Of course, it was none other than Rapinoe to step up and double the score, coolly finding the same lower corner as her first goal.

Portland found one goal back in stoppage time of the first half, but the second half was equally as exciting, with the rivalry passion fueling both teams. Though, OL Reign took nine shots, and the Thorns took 10, neither team found the back of the net and OL Reign walked away with their first of many wins at Lumen Field.