SEATTLE, WASHINGTON (June 30, 2018) – The city of Seattle was busy on Saturday night.
Not only did the Seattle Reign and Seattle Sounders host matches at their respective stadiums, but they hosted rivalries. Both clubs participated in their own Cascadia Cups.
Another Cascadia Cup, different result: Reign top Thorns
While the Sounders dropped their match to the Portland Timbers, the Reign catapulted past the Portland Thorns, 1-0. With the victory, Seattle moved back to second place. Previously, the Orlando Pride had jumped ahead.
However, a late 89th-minute goal from Jodie Taylor prevented the draw. Megan Rapinoe assisted Taylor’s fourth goal of the season.
“Very good win,” Taylor said after the match. “It’s always nice to beat your rival. I think we played really well, respective of the score. I was happy with the way we’ve played. The last couple of games we haven’t really been our best and I think today was a glimpse of what this group is capable of doing.”
Taylor was picked up by the Reign during the off-season. She has started all 14 of her appearances. She formerly played for the Thorns back in 2015 and talked about being on the other side of the rivalry.
“I remember being with the Thorns and coming here is a difficult place to come,” Taylor said, speaking of Memorial Park. “I think for any team it’s difficult. Certainly, for the Thorn-Reign rivalry, it’s a difficult place to play. I think that went in our favor today. It was feisty. The traveling Portland fans were loud, but equally our fans are great too.”
“They really helped spur the team on today.”
On Saturday night, @mPinoe found @Jodes_14 in the box, and the rest is history#LetItReign #BeatPortland pic.twitter.com/oigmbDI2QU
— OL Reign (@OLReign) July 1, 2018
Three Takeaways
- Get some consistent officiating: Not only did Meghan Rapinoe kick the leg of Allie Long, but she continued to beat up on the Reign midfielder after Long passed the ball. All of the visible fouls were taken right in front of the fourth official Cephas Quartson and head referee Christina Unkel. Some consistent officiating in the NWSL is needed — and maybe a bit more training.
- Super Franch: While her team couldn’t complete the upset road victory, Adrianna Franch had a day in goal. The veteran goalkeeper made eight saves against Beverly Yanez, Megan Rapinoe, Elizabeth Addo, Allie Long and Rumi Utsugi. Franch was awarded for her efforts by being named the NWSL Player of the Week.
- Yanez gets the spotlight: So many times in the NWSL it’s normally the game-winning goal scorer that gets named the Player of the Match. However, the Seattle Reign spread the love by naming Beverly Yanez the Player of the Match. Yanez had three shots on goal against Franch.
Tonight's Player of the Match from this instant classic is @beverlygoebel!#BeatPortland #SEAvPOR #LetItReign pic.twitter.com/ps6XFAUhU0
— OL Reign (@OLReign) July 1, 2018
