The Cascadia rivalry resumes tonight at Lumen Field as the Portland Thorns travel north to visit Seattle Reign for the first time this season. After a rough opening game, Portland is undefeated in their past three and has not conceded a goal in two games, beating Utah Royals 1-0 on the road last week. Seattle is on a two-game losing streak, falling to the Orlando Pride 1-0 at home last week.

The two sides have met a league-record 41 times across all competitions and the stats are about as evenly split as possible – Seattle has scored 43 goals and won 15 games, Portland has scored 45 goals and won 16, and the sides split the points 10 times. The Reign hold an 8-5-6 record when hosting the derby.

Keys to the game

Exploit wide spaces
Far-post runs on set pieces
Defend strong in the middle of the park

Notes

Jess Fishlock remains out with a leg injury, while Maddie Mercado will also be unavailable due to an excused absence. Ji So-Yun is recovered from her injury and is available for selection.
If traveling the the match by light rail, plan ahead for significant delays and transfers due to construction in the downtown transit tunnel.
There is a Ganja White Night concert at WaMu Theater, so expect large crowds in the stadium district.

Injuries, absences, suspensions

Reign: OUT: Ryanne Brown (SEI – knee), Jess Fishlock (leg), Veronica Latsko (SEI – lower leg), Maddie Mercado (excused absence)

Thorns: OUT: Moira Kelley (Ankle), Marie Muller (SEI – knee), Nicole Payne (SEI – knee), Olivia Wade-Katoa (maternity leave), Morgan Weaver (SEI – knee), Sophia Wilson (maternity leave)