Valkyratings: Painting the roses blue

For the first time in a whole damn while, the Reign played the Th*rns and came out of it with a win. The first half was brilliant, categorical mastery of the field that could've had another couple goals with a lucky break or a bit more, natch, quality. And the second half was also a thing that happened, as Portland fought hard to get back into things and adapted well, and the Reign were under siege for the last ten minutes.

Cascadia matches are always a bit of a wild affair, and a cagey, hard-fought 1-0 win is in some ways just as cathartic as a 6-2 demolition. Fighting for every scrap of turf and coming away with three points at Portland's expense always feels good.

Coming away with three points as Dahlien finally gets her opening goal – and WHAT a fuckin' goal – and Dickey finally gets her much-deserved shutout? We take those vibes and we run with them every single time.

On Saturday, we're back in action, and the season continues apace. But for now, we've still got a little more time to soak in the good feelings and gaze upon the majesty of Dahlien's slick finish. Bonfires are back, and WE'RE so back, baby!

Goalkeeper

Claudia Dickey – 7

In the fifth match of the season, Claw-dia finally got her first shutout after playing well enough to have about four. For the most part, Claudia was good but didn't need to be great against a Portland side that spent the first 83 minutes of the match absolutely allergic to creating chances, making dangerous runs, or taking anything but the most speculative of shots. She claimed the ball in the air on those rare occasions Portland tested her with a cross, and she generally kept the game simple with her feet. The opposition finally dialed it up a little for the last ten, with Caiya Hanks and Reilyn Turner creating chaos and a number of solid chances, and Dickey showed her mettle with two strong saves (and a crossbar assist) deep in stoppage time to preserve the win.

Going forward. If there's one thing Dickey could still do some work on, it's finding her teammates with her long balls. Otherwise, she's assembling a ridiculous resume this year. At this point, we should be very comfortable with Claudia in goal, and hopefully we have an eye towards keeping her there for a long time yet.

Defenders

Lauren Barnes – 7 (off 86' for Shae Holmes)

Playing as a left back on paper (but often shifting to a more conservative left centerback role as Madison Curry raced forward), Lu Barnes was steady as hell, got on the ball a whole lot, and was a catalyst in the buildout repeatedly through the first sixty minutes. She found a zooming Dahlien repeatedly, and while she was only credited with one shot-creating action, her toeprints were all over several of the Reign's chances in the first half. She wasn't asked to do much other than hold her ground defensively (and Portland's right-sided attack was a dead zone for most of the match), but she did well to turn the play back on those rare occasions she was tested.

Going forward. The past two matches have shown a steadier and more confident Lauren Barnes than we saw perhaps for the entirety of last season, which can only be good for the Reign.

Phoebe McClernon – 7

In the 97th minute, holding on to a 1-0 lead, McClernon played through pressure (and some sketchy contact) to put in an authoritative clearance when the Reign desperately needed one. In general, it was the sort of central defensive performance we've come to expect from Phoebe: she got on the ball more than any other Reign player and made the simple pass to keep possession whenever she could, she put in a tackle when necessary but kept the game in front of her as much as possible, she won every single aerial duel she went into, snuffing out even the hopeful and speculative efforts the Thorns were managing. The counting stats aren't necessarily eye-popping, but the organization and coordination of Bugg, McClernon, and Barnes gave Portland very little dangerous space to attack – the midfield was dominant, and when Portland did manage to break into the final third, Phoebe and the back line constantly won the small positional battles, ending threats before they could even develop into fires that required a risky intervention.

Going forward. After struggling to find the field at all in her first months in Seattle, then shuffling between back line roles in limited minutes after that, McClernon has grown into an indispensable veteran at centerback. Coupled with Bugg's emergence, we have what looks to be a solid pairing for the foreseeable future.

Jordyn Bugg – 7

Match by match, Jordyn Bugg grows more into the future superstar we can already see. There was some wobble in this match – she was beaten in the air when Portland tested her, and she sometimes looked less than comfortable covering the space Curry left vacated to her right – but she rode out the difficult moments and repeatedly broke up the rhythm of the Th*rns' offensive play with tenacity and intention. Her nine clearances led the side, and she came up with some particularly timely ones in second-half stoppage as the pressure dialed up. Frequently opting for the long and incisive pass, her accuracy left a little to be desired (she completed 22 of 42 passes altogether), but where she did connect, she connected remarkably dangerously, putting Huitema and Curry into space to threaten and reminding that her vision can be a real weapon even when she isn't firing with the precision she's capable of. More than anything, she looked absolutely up to the moment and absolutely up to the intensity of a good old-fashioned Cascadia throwdown.

Going forward. Jordyn Bugg is the future. Jordyn Bugg is the present. Jordyn Bugg bends the linear flow of time. Jordyn Bugg forever.

Madison Curry – 6

It must be said about Madison Curry: she is absolutely unafraid to go hard into a challenge, take the whistle, and then immediately go just as hard into a challenge in the very next phase. This has been both to the Reign's benefit and detriment so far, as she's given up a few dangerous free kicks, but she also brings a sort of grit and sandpaper that gives opponents second thoughts. Playing right back on paper, Curry pushed high up the pitch in possession, which allowed Huitema to tuck in centrally and withdrawn behind Biyendolo; her still-developing understanding with Mondésir created flashes of potential, though nothing that made it to the score sheet. She also fouled three times, the most of any Reign player, and they were mostly unnecessary fouls to concede, giving Portland brief gasps of life in an opening 60 minutes where they were otherwise hapless and helpless.

Going forward. I love Curry's energy. I would like to see just the slightest bit more caution when she's throwing a hard tackle right along the edge of the penalty area.

Midfielders

Angharad James Turner – 7

After a bumpy finish to 2024, Angharad James-Turner is having a fucking revelatory 2025. Six of nine in duels, four tackles won, none bigger than an almost casual dispossession of Caiya Hanks in the 94th minute, a well-placed boot leaving Portland with a throw-in near midfield rather than a clean run into space. The pairing with Sam Meza was nearly unbeatable, seeing the Th*rns' glut of creative midfielders and utterly demolishing any whiff of creativity they tried to get going. Oh, and in the 35th minute, she dialed in a perfectly weighted through ball that found a streaking Lynn Biyendolo in stride, putting her in one-on-one with Bella Bixby. Unfortunately, Lynn put the strike just inches wide, but the effort – and the exquisite would-be assist – deserve mention regardless.

Going forward. Every time she takes the pitch this year, Haz makes a blistering argument to see even more of it. The James-Turner / Meza pairing was particularly intriguing, and utterly defanged a midfield that can beat you in about 70 different ways.

Nérilia Mondésir – 6 (off 65' for Ji So-yun)

Midway through the fourth minute, Coco received the ball from Meza, took a touch to create some space for herself, laid it off to Lynn Biyendolo, and continued her run forward, taking a defender with her. Meanwhile, Biyendolo found Dahlien making a hard diagonal run, Dahlien cut into the penalty area, and scored a banger. The play starts with Mondésir giving Meza options under pressure, and continues with Mondésir pulling the defense with her run. It's really good stuff. Her impact was more muted as the game went on, but there was some promising interplay with Dahlien, Biyendolo, and Huitema, and she was effective and tenacious in a press that kept Portland from finding even a bit of rhythm for the first 45+ minutes.

Going forward. There is a version of this offense that really cooks, and unlocking Mondésir's talent is going to be a big part of that. The Reign are a better and more creative side with her on the pitch already, but I think there's a higher gear waiting to come out, and we'll get there by actually consistently getting reps with an aggressive front four like this.

Sam Meza – 8

In her third consecutive start, Sam Meza delivered by far her best performance to date, playing the destroyer of chances and souls in the midfield. Meza won seven tackles and 11 duels, broke up chance after chance, and added some timely clearances and 7 recoveries for good measure. Meza stole the ball and then with her next touch nearly sprung Dahlien on a clean breakaway in the 96th minute (only a desperation clearance by Bella Bixby a solid 35 meters off her line prevented the big chance), and made herself a nuisance every time, every place, and in every universe that Portland wanted to build through. The Reign likely don't win this game without Meza's defensive performance.

Going forward. Each start has been better than the one before it. At her current pace of improvement, Meza will get a 10 rating on Saturday and transcend mortality entirely by May 16. I for one welcome this inevitability.

Forwards

Maddie Dahlien – 8 (POTM)

Danger Maddie zoomed into the penalty area, cut to her right to create space for herself, and delivered an absolute beauty of a curler to tuck just inside the far post, out of a sprawling Bixby's reach. Her 4th minute goal – the first of her professional career – gave the Reign an early lead that they would never relinquish, and was just a sweet, sweet, sweet bit of soccer. Maddie had a number of other chances, the best of them coming on a set piece in first half stoppage, as Huitema won the initial ball in the air and Dahlien's quick movement got her in behind. She snapped a quick shot, but Bixby was able to corral it. Over the course of the match, Dahlien had ten touches in the penalty area, took five shots, scored a goal, and forced three saves. Not at all a bad day's work for the rookie forward.

Going forward. There is a version of this offense that really cooks, and getting Dahlien confident is going to be a big part of that. Scoring that first goal is huge. Given the chances she keeps racking up, it shouldn't be a shock if she hits double digits this year. Getting her comfortable and on the same page with Biyendolo, Mondésir, and Huitema has some real damn hydra potential.

Lynn Biyendolo – 7 (off 80' for Emeri Adames)

It's actually incredible what Lynn adds to this team, just how much she elevates the talent around her. Her silky reception from Mondésir and immediate field-switching pass unlocked Maddie Dahlien for the fourth-minute goal. Her comfort on the ball and willingness to keep running and give her team options gave the attacking band space and time. Her quick read on the game saw her jump passing lanes and create turnovers high up the pitch four different times. Oh, and in the 35th-minute she split the defense with a perfectly timed run, took a beautiful Angharad James-Turner pass in stride, and... missed doubling the Reign's lead by inches. It happens. Soccer's like that sometimes.

Going forward. I would bet real cash money that Lynn sinks it the next time she sees that chance. (Okay, no, I wouldn't, but it's not because I'm not supremely confident in Biyendolo's abilities, it's because sports gambling is incredibly exploitative and socially corrosive, especially in the primary formats it currently occupies. DraftKings delenda est.) The more we see her with this team, the more obvious it becomes why the Reign rated what she'd add to our existing talent so highly.

Jordyn Huitema – 7 (off 86' for Ana-Maria Crnogorčević)

Starting as a wide forward / winger but most frequently tucking beneath Biyendolo in possession while Curry claimed the width, Jordyn Huitema put on an absolute clinic of holdup play. She won nine aerial duels, including one that put Dahlien directly in on goal with just the keeper to beat. She occupied the attention of Jayden Perry and Sam Hiatt, demanding and creating more space for Biyendolo, Mondésir, and Dahlien to run at. She challenged for every damn ball, and win or lose, she gave the Reign time to regain their shape or reset their press. She was fouled five times (and probably could've earned about five more if Jeremy Scheer was paying attention) as she used her size and strength to force Portland into bad decisions. She took no shots, had zero touches in the penalty area, and was still an incredible influence on the offense. This is the sort of forward work that's a bit unsung and uncelebrated, and that can be the difference between a cagey win and a cagey loss.

Going forward. I have waited so long to watch Jordyn Huitema use her height, size, and strength to just assert her will on a back line like this. I would like future referees to be less cavalier about opponents putting shoulders through her back, though.

Substitutes

Ji So-yun – 6 (on 65' for Nérilia Mondésir)

Subbing on for the last third of the match, Ji played a more withdrawn but equally aggressive attacking midfield role in Mondésir's place, looking for the pass that could put the game out of reach. In around half an hour of game time, she had four shot-creating actions, including a 75th minute pass to Dahlien that forced a sharp save and dangerously coughed up rebound out of Bixby and an 86th minute feed that AMC put off the woodwork. As Portland tilted the field late, she also got in on the dirty defensive work, winning both of her duels as the whole team left everything on the pitch to secure the elusive Cascadia win.

Going forward. All told, Ji likely starts more often than she doesn't, but the Reign are deeper than last year, should be rotating pieces more than last year, and when she doesn't start, it's an extraordinary luxury to be able to bring her vision off the bench to ratchet up the pressure.

Emeri Adames – 5 (on 80' for Lynn Biyendolo)

A late sub for Biyendolo, Emeri Adames had five touches, completed one pass, and put in a dangerous free kick. She also took an audacious shot off a pass from Ji, but it was from distance and never seriously challenged Bixby, and it's one moment where she would've been better off going for the corner and killing time.

Going forward. By the time Adames subbed on, the Th*rns were finally beginning to tilt the field and seriously challenge the Reign, and she had few opportunities. Notably, last year, Harvey didn't seem to trust Adames to help see out close, hard-fought matches, and this year, she clearly does. Still, I'd rather see her get more minutes in game states where she can play with some more flair.

Ana-Maria Crnogorčević – N/A (on 86' for Jordyn Huitema)

So it took Crnogorčević less than a minute to get her right foot to one of the best Reign chances in the second half. She put it off the woodwork, and for the second time, the Reign missed doubling their lead by a matter of two inches or less. Despite her limited minutes, she was buzzing and active, touching the ball nine times with three recoveries and two passes into the final third.

Going forward. Arguably the best attacking player for the Reign in the second half of 2024, AMC is probably not a frequent starter on the 2025 edition, but as a rotational starter and energy substitute, she has a lot to offer.

Shae Holmes – N/A (on 86' for Lauren Barnes)

Coming on late for Lauren Barnes, Shae Holmes touched the ball twice, cleared the ball once, and completed no passes, but was a defensive presence who went into two duels, slowed things up, and helped the Reign stay defensively structured enough to see it out under pressure.

Going forward. Holmes hasn't started since the season opener, and has played three different positions in three different substitute appearances. Make of that what you will.

Referee

Jeremy Scheer – 5

So I don't actually have a ton of nits to pick about Scheer's performance. Portland came really physical, committed a bunch of fouls, and rightly picked up a bunch of fouls and three yellow cards, and Scheer did, generally, a good enough job at keeping the temperature from boiling over and telling players to knock it the damn hell off when they started getting outside the bounds of fair play. But I do have a couple nits to pick.

First, Dahlien was fouled four times (officially, another few that probably should've been) and Huitema was fouled five (again officially, she probably could've been the beneficiary of double digit whistles all on her own), and more effort to specifically protect them from the targeting would've been appreciated. Second, Olivia Moultrie was rewarded for one of the more dramatic full-stretch swan-dives you will see in this league with a dangerous free kick in the 53rd minute.

Going forward. I would like persistent targeting to be censured more and diving to be rewarded less. However, Scheer was basically fine and did well to keep a high-temperature rivalry match under control, and I am beginning to contemplate what the past few matches, taken holistically, say about "average" for a CR performance in NWSL.

And Another Thing..!

This is Cascadia, and at the final whistle, there was only one number that actually mattered.

1-0.

Bonfires are back, baby.