NWSL Lifetime Game of the Week 6

NWSL Week 6 Portland Thorns FC vs. Seattle Reign FC Recap

(Photo courtesy of NWSL)

Seattle Reign FC (3-1-1, 10 pts.) defeated Portland Thorns FC 3-2 (2-2-2, 8 pts.) on Saturday afternoon in this week’s NWSL Lifetime Game of the Week. A crowd of 16,054 filled Providence Park in Portland, Oregon to witness the first edition of “The Cascadia Rivalry” for the 2018 season.

This match featured the return to Portland for Seattle Reign FC midfielder Allie Long, who played five seasons for the Thorns, and Reign goalkeeper Michelle Betos, who won the 2015 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year during her time with the team, as they played their first game against their former club.

The Reign took a 1-0 lead into halftime after forward Beverly Yanez headed in a corner kick in the 36^th minute. In the second half, Thorns defender Emily Sonnett claimed Portland’s equalizer in the 61^st minute. Seattle reclaimed the lead in the 64^th minute after forward Jodie Taylor scored on a penalty kick. Portland made it 2-2 in the 70th minute as midfielder Lindsey Horan headed in a cross from defender Meghan Klingenberg.  Seattle took a 3-2 lead in the 75th minute, a lead they would not relinquish despite Portland’s all-out attack in the final 15 minutes of the match. Seattle’s Rumi Utsugi was 25 yards out when she put the ball into the bottom right corner of the net for the game-winning goal.

Player of the Match:

Portland Thorns FC defender Midge Purce
(Photo courtesy of NWSL)

This match featured the biggest names making the biggest impact on the game. Michelle Betos, Lindsey Horan, Tobin Heath, Allie Long and a few others are all deserving of the title of “Player of the Match”. Betos had several big saves at the end of the game to secure the win for Seattle. Portland really started cooking after Tobin Heath entered the game as a second half substitution. But I’m going with Midge Purce. In the second half when the Thorns started to get something going, Purce was a big reason why that happened. Purce was all over the field for Portland. She was making plays both on offense and defense. Purce’s performance in the match was so impressive it had many fans calling for her to get a call up to the next USWNT camp. And I agree with them 100 “purcent”.   

What’s next?

The Thorns will play the Houston Dash on Wednesday. This match will be streaming live on go90.

The Reign will host Sky Blue FC on Saturday, May 12. This match will be streaming live on go90.

The Portland Thorns will host the Orlando Pride on Saturday, May 12 at 3:30pm ET in the next NWSL Lifetime Game of the Week.