SANTA MONICA — Its one of the most anticipated matches of the season. As two of the top teams in the league year-after-year and several big names, the rivalry of Seattle Reign and the Portland Thorns never disappoints soccer fans. However, this time Seattle Reign managed to clinch the 1-0 victory over the Thorns Saturday night.
The score doesn’t remotely show the competition Portland and Seattle left on the field. The game came down to the wire. Neither team able to get the upper hand until the last minute of regular play. Thanks to Jodie Taylor and Megan Rapinoe, the Reign was able to slide one it in the 89th minute. Rapinoe crossed the ball low into the box where Taylor waited unguarded. A small tap from Taylor, slid the ball past an unaware French.
Portland had its chance earlier, however. In the 44th minute, the Thorns had a free kick just outside the 18. Megan Klingenberg curled in the kick into the middle of the box where Ana-Maria Crnogorčević who got a head on it to put the ball into the back of the net. Seconds later, the sideline ref called Crnogorčević offside withdrawing the goal. It went with the rest of Portland’s day, however.
Portland went 0 for 10 on the night against Seattle. While they kept the fouls to a low six and and only recorded one offside, Portland struggled not making the detrimental mistakes. While Seattle went 9 for 18 and recorded seven corners, Portland never saw a corner kick or another close opportunity after the call offsides.
Portland falls to 5-5-5 and resumes play on Friday at 8 p.m. while Seattle improves to 6-5-3 and will face Houston Saturday at 7 p.m.
