SEATTLE, Wash. – Facing their Cascadia rival for a second time in five days, Portland Thorns FC were unable to rally after surrendering a goal in the first half in a 3-0 loss against Seattle Reign FC in front of 6,303 fans on Sunday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
Seattle (8-3-3, 27pts) broke the deadlock in the 38th minute, scoring on the counterattack with a quick through ball into space by midfielder Kim Little for midfielder Jessica Fishlock who finished in stride inside the box to put Reign FC in front 1-0.
Forward Beverly Yanez added the final two goals for Seattle less than five minutes into the second half. Scoring first in the 46th minute, heading a cross from Little into the back of the net from close range. In the 50th minute, Yanez got on the end of forward Megan Rapinoe’s cross near the goal line to extend Seattle’s lead to 3-0.
In the starting lineup for the first time since returning from the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Thorns FC goalkeeper Nadine Angerer finished the match with six saves. Starting in her second straight game, midfielder Tobin Heath created Portland’s best chance in the 67th minute, drilling a one-time volley off a corner kick by midfielder Allie Long just past the left post.
Thorns FC (3-6-4, 13pts) remain on the road, traveling to Rochester, N.Y. for a match against the Western New York Flash on Wednesday, July 29, at Sahlen’s Stadium; kickoff is set for 4 p.m. (Pacific). Wednesday’s match will be carried via live web stream at www.portlandthornsfc.com.
Notes:
- Defender Emily Menges made her 21st consecutive start, dating back to the 2014 season.
- Goalkeeper Nadine Angerer returned to the starting lineup after the Women’s World Cup for the first time since May 9.
- Forward Christine Sinclair surpassed 4,000 career minutes played for Thorns FC in the match.
- Midfielder/defender Kendall Johnson reached 4,000 career minutes played in the NWSL, entering the match as a substitute.
- Midfielder Allie Long and defenders Kat Williamson and Menges are the only three players to start all 13 matches for Portland this season.
Portland Thorns FC (3-6-4, 13pts) vs. Seattle Reign FC (8-3-3, 27pts)
July 26, 2015 – Memorial Stadium (Seattle, Wash.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Thorns FC 0 0 0
Seattle Reign FC 1 2 3
Scoring Summary
SEA: Fishlock (Little), 38
SEA: Yanez (Little), 46
SEA: Yanez (Rapinoe), 50
Misconduct Summary
POR: Johnson (Caution), 82
POR: Ayo (Caution), 89
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Nadine Angerer, D Rachel Van Hollebeke (Kyle, 65), D Kat Williamson ©, D Emily Menges, D Steph Catley (Johnson, 44), M Clare Polkinghorne, M McCall Zerboni, M Tobin Heath, M Allie Long, M Mana Shim (Ayo, 60), F Christine Sinclair
Substitutes Not Used: GK Michelle Betos, F Jodie Taylor
TOTAL SHOTS: 5 (Shim, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Shim, 2); FOULS: 9 (Sinclair, Zerboni, 3); OFFSIDES: 6; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 6
SEA: GK Haley Kopmeyer, D Lauren Barnes, D Rachel Corsie, D Kendall Fletcher, D Stephanie Cox, M Jessica Fishlock, M Keelin Winters ©, M Kim Little, F Merritt Mathias (Veje, 59), F Beverly Yanez (Brooks, 82), F Megan Rapinoe (Foxhoven, 71)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Caroline Stanley, M Mariah Bullock, D Elli Reed, D Kiersten Dallstream
TOTAL SHOTS: 16 (Rapinoe, Yanez, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 9 (Yanez, 3); FOULS: 13 (Rapinoe, 4); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 2
Referee: Matthew Franz
Assistant Referees: Cameron Blanchard, Deleana Quan
4th Official: Levi Rippy
Attendance: 6,303
Weather: Cloudy, 71 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.
