Cascadia Derby Match Recap, Reaction, and Highlights: Portland Thorns at Seattle Reign

The Portland Thorns headed on the road in search of a regular season sweep of Pacific Northwest rivals, the Seattle Reign.

With Reilyn Turner (knee) out, the Portland Thorns opted for Mallie McKenzie on the frontline alongside Pietra Tordin and Sophia Wilson.

Rookie trialist Jennie Immethun earned her second consecutive start with Jessie Fleming and Olivia Moultrie in midfield.

For a second consecutive game, the backline would remain the same. Is it due to matchups or has the preferred starters been chosen? Reyna Reyes is a name to keep an eye on for future matchups.

For Seattle Reign, USWNT goalkeeper Claudia Dickey (ankle) remained out, but the legend Jess Fishlock would return as an option off the bench.

14,793 at Lumen Field would do everything in their power to lift the home side to victory in this NWSL rivalry game.

First Half:

Portland Thorns started on the front foot and earned two corner kicks in the first four minutes.

Against the run of play, Ainsley McCammon's long ball caught M.A. Vignola and the entire Thorns backline off-guard. Ryanne Brown drove past the backline and scored from the right edge of the box.

Look at the result:

Much of the half was played in the attacking half with very few ventures forward from the home side. The high press from Portland suffocated Seattle and created many opportunities for the visitors without an end product.

However, the game completely flipped as the half progressed.

As mistakes and giveaways from the Thorns continued to pile up, it was only a matter of time before disaster struck again.

After being pinned back early on, Seattle returned the favor and won many balls high up the pitch with their press. Arnold and the backline were forced to become playmakers and continued to make bad decisions down the stretch.

At the tail end of the half, it was the home side who dominated the proceedings and were looking to add another.

And they did. Sloppy play from Portland finally caught up with them in the 44th minute.

Sam Meza's cross into the box made the backline pay for falling asleep. Maddie Mercado would finish near post past Arnold to double their lead.

The sheer amount of giveaways made even the anemic Seattle Reign attack look formidable.

It was clear which team showed up in the first half.

Second Half:

Portland came out much better after halftime. The backline held their own in defense and the trio of Moultrie, Tordin, and Wilson started to takeover the match.

But the final product continued to elude the Thorns.

Whether it was woodwork or a clearance from Seattle, it just never materialized for Portland.

All credit to the Reign as they refused to break out of their shape and cleaned up everything imaginable in front of goal. Cassie Miller did her best Claudia Dickey impression.

Reaction:

This result came down to one thing: mistakes.

Laura Harvey and the Seattle Reign employed their high-press, smart triggers, and counterpress to perfection. As the road and handling the press issues persists, the Portland Thorns had no answers to this either once again.

Mallie McKenzie started in place of Reilyn Turner and struggled to get involved with the match. Turner's ability to hold the ball and win her aerial duels was dearly missed.

On a positive note, the budding connection and chemistry from the starpower of Wilson, Moultrie, and Tordin continues to shine,

Two avoidable gaffes in defense was the main difference as the two goal conceded were both preventable.

All four losses for the Thorns this season have come on the road and each by two goal margins. Robert Vilahman's side continues to struggle on the road and playing out of the press. The success of their season will come down to how they deal with both.

They've added Nina Nijstad to help the build in midfield, but does the head coach need a stout defender to add to the mix as well?

Highlights:

3' First corner kick of the match awarded to Portland

4' Thorns force another corner kick - Jayden Perry wins the header but can't generate enough power to challenge Cassie Miller.

8' 0-1 Seattle Reign | Long ball over the top beats M.A. Vignola and the backline Ryanne Brown

12' Olivia Moultrie rifles a shot towards goal and Miller makes the save. Tordin looks for rebound and is denied.

14' Another corner for Portland

17' Corner kick for Thorns - Perry wins another header. However there is no follow up.

22' High press leads to Wilson winning the ball and playing it into the box to Tordin. Her shot is blocked.

25' McKenzie shakes off Huerta, plays it to Tordin. Miller saves again.

27' Arnold gets away with a heavy touch

31' Hiatt giveaway leads to a Reign chance, multiple Thorns defenders intervene on the block

32' Menti has a look at goal but it sails over the bar.

39' A bad clearance attempt from Arnold leads to another chance for Menti, she makes the save.

41' Unmarked Brown nearly doubles the lead. She is one yard away from the open net goal.

44' 0-2 Seattle Reign | Sam Meza's pinpoint cross into the box beats the entire backline and Maddie Mercado finishes.

45' Three minutes of stoppage time

45' +2 - Wilson from a tight angle, tries to blast it far post. It is saved by Miller.

Second Half:

51' Moultrie, Tordin, and Wilson all have shots in succession and none can find the back of the net.

53' Immethun collects the rebound and fires a shot right at Miller.

54' Incredible sequence from the front four

55' SUBS | Cassandra Bogere on for Jennie Immethun and Renee Lyles on for Mallie McKenzie.

57' Sam Meza booked for the yellow card

61' OFF THE POST | Jessie Fleming wins the ball and slips it to Tordin who's shot finds the woodwork.

68' Bogere seemingly scores off the corner kick, but it is somehow cleared off the line by Seattle.

73' Corner kick for Seattle Reign

74' Chaos in the box leads to a shot. Arnold makes the save.

81' Fishel catches Perry asleep and takes the shot that's denied by Arnold.

86' SUB | Deyna Castellanos on for Pietra Trodin

88' Seattle's box defense holds up from a wide range of shots including Fleming's header

89' Deyna Castellanos booked for yellow card.

90' Fishel runs out of space as the shot

90' +2 Wilson breaks free for a shot and Miller and is there once again.