Match Forecast: Seattle Reign FC Set to Play Final Summer Cup Group Stage Match in Portland

Seattle Reign FC plays its final NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup group stage match today at 7:00 p.m. PT at Providence Park vs. Cascadia rival Portland Thorns FC. Currently tied with three points at the top of Group A, the Reign will look to pick up points in the final match of the group stage and secure the first-place position. 

WHEN AND WHERE: Reign FC kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. PT at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon. 

WHERE TO WATCH: Fans can tune in on Paramount+ or CBS Sport Golazo Network to watch in the match in English or NWSL+ to watch the match in Spanish. 

2024 NWSL x LIGA MX FEMENIL SUMMER CUP RECORD AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): Seattle Reign FC: 1-1-0, 3 points; Portland Thorns FC: 1-1-0, 3 points 

Key Points Ahead of the Match: 

1. LAST MEETING – Seattle Reign FC and Portland Thorns FC are meeting for the first time in the NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup, but most recently met on June 16, 2024 at Lumen Field. The regular season match up ended in a 0-0 draw, though the match saw many offensive opportunities for Seattle. The Reign looked solid defensively, holding the Thorns to zero shots on target until the 42nd minute of the match. 

2. SCOUTING PORTLAND – Similar to the Reign, the Thorns have a win and a draw under their belt in the Summer Cup. The Portland side opened the tournament with a decisive 5-0 win over Club Tijuana, with goals scored by Christine Sinclair, Olivia Wade-Katoa, Izzy D’Aquila, Ana Dias and Marissa Sheva. 

In their second group stage match of the tournament, Portland fell 3-1 to the Utah Royals. Hannah Betfort, Ally Sentnor and Michele Vasconcelos all contributed to Utah’s success on the scoreboard, while Olivia Moultrie scored Portland’s lone goal. 

“I've been at the Portland games and yeah, the experience is crazy. I think it's really exciting. It's really fun to be involved in. I think as a rivalry out here, yeah, it's easier to kind of get ready and get excited for that game and we're all really looking forward to it,” said defender Lily Woodham. 

“They're playing a little bit differently in the Summer Cup - tactically, they're playing with a back three, or they have been playing with a back three, I'm not sure they'll do it tomorrow, but they've been playing with a back three, so I'm sure they're using this as a test for maybe doing things later in the season and obviously it worked really well for them against Tijuana. They got exposed a little bit against Utah. So, I think we have to look at those two games, as well as our last regular season game,” said Seattle Reign FC Head Coach Laura Harvey. 

“I think the key for us is, how can we keep creating chances first and foremost? We're in control of that. How can we make sure that we make it as difficult for the opponent to score? We did a good job of that when we played Portland the last time. And then take the chances that we create, that's the grinding hamster wheel that we're on right now is, make it difficult for the opponent to score, which we've done a good job of late up until the Tijuana game and how can we make sure that we take some of these chances early in games to make life a little bit easier for ourselves.” 

3. ROSTER ROTATION – As the team just played on Wednesday, lineup rotation can be expected in the match tonight. The Summer Cup tournament has featured a different lineup in each match, offering many players the chance to make their debut with the club. Four Seattle Reign FC players have made their debut in the tournament – defender Julia Lester, midfielder Ainsley McCammon, midfielder Sam Meza and defender Jordyn Bugg. 

“Some of those players that obviously played a lot of minutes on Sunday aren't in a position to really do that again on Wednesday, unfortunately. So, we've got to rotate again and probably bring in some of these older players just because it's unfair. I just don't think you can think that players can go and do 90 [minutes] on a Sunday and then go and do 90 again on a Wednesday, so we've got to try and sort of map it and manage it a little bit. So, there will definitely be more rotation again, probably see some more familiar faces on Wednesday. But yeah, with the bench obviously being a lot of the younger players that can come on and get minutes late in the game if needed,” said Harvey. 

4. SUMMER CUP RULES – There are five groups of four teams playing in the Summer Cup. The Reign are in Group A with Portland Thorns FC, Utah Royals FC and Club Tijuana. The top four teams in the group stage advance to the semifinal in August, which means that securing a first-place finish in Group A does not guarantee a spot in the semifinal. Currently, all four teams in Group A have three points. 

Differing from NWSL regular season play, in the group stage, if a game is tied at the end of regulation, kicks from the penalty mark will be used to determine which club earns one (1) additional point in the group standings. In addition, VAR will not be used for the match. 

MultiCare Availability Report: 

OUT  

Lauren Barnes (leg) 

Ryanne Brown (SEI – knee) 

QUESTIONABLE 

None 

INTERNATIONAL DUTY 

Jordyn Huitema (CAN)  

Quinn (CAN)