Reign FC 2
Portland Thorns FC 0
NWSL Regular Season
September 29, 2019
Cheney Stadium – Tacoma, WA
The NWSL Cascadia Derby for match day 23 set the stage for a dramatic season finishing run in for both Portland Thorns FC and the home Reign FC.
Photo by Maddy Grassy
Portland came into the match needing to win out to have a shot at second and a home semifinal match, avoiding traveling before a possible final.
Reign FC could only clinch a playoff spot with a win. The results earlier in the weekend had already clarified the run in. A draw would inch them closer, but not be enough. They still needed points.
Photo by Maddy Grassy
Jodie Taylor notched the opening goal in the 27th minute after a sequence involving a Rapinoe breakaway, a crossbar, a lack of clearance, and a solid serve into a player on the near post beating a defender to get a clear look.
The first half was to remain at one nil going into the locker rooms. But, given the ability of Portland to keep Reign FC pressed in deep and the Reign attack up either flank, the match was essentially there for the taking for either side.
Photo by MEL
The Bethany Balcer story continued to unfold. Coming on as a sub in the 73rd minute she grabbed the second goal in the 81st minute and her sixth of the season and a made real case for rookie of the year.
This was a game of match ups. Darian Jenkins down the right flank versus Meghan Klingenberg. The two loaded midfield groups battling for every fifty fifty ball. Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso versus Lou Barnes and the Reign defensive line. Jodie Taylor up top covered by Emily Sonnett. Two young and really talented goalkeepers in AD Franch and Casey Murphy squaring off down the pitch. This was good stuff. 7,370 were there and saw another Cascadia Derby classic.
Both sides will be playing in the postseason, the question match day 24 will determine is who goes where to face Chicago or North Carolina on October 20 in the NWSL semifinals.
Photo by MEL
BOX
Scoring Summary
RFC – Jodie Taylor (Theresa Nielsen) 27’
RFC – Bethany Balcer (Theresa Nielsen) 81’
Misconduct Summary
POR – Caitlin Foord (caution) 34’
RFC – Theresa Nielsen (caution) 36’
RFC – Bev Yanez (caution) 51’
POR – Dagny Brynjarsdottir (caution) 57’
POR – Emily Sonnett (caution) 89’
Lineups & Stats
RFC: GK Casey Murphy, D Steph Catley, D Lauren Barnes, D Rebecca Quinn, D Theresa Nielsen, M Allie Long, M Kristen McNabb, M Bev Yanez, F Megan Rapinoe (Ifeoma Onumonu 90+4’), F Jodie Taylor (Steph Cox 86’), F Darian Jenkins (Bethany Balcer 74’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Lydia Williams, D Celia Jiménez Delgado, M Rosie White, M Rumi Utsugi
Head Coach: Vlatko Andonovski
Shots: 15
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 8
Corner kicks: 5
Saves: 2
POR: GK Adrianna Franch, D Meghan Klingenberg, D Ellie Carpenter, D Emily Sonnett, D Emily Menges, M Dagny Brynjarsdottir, M Lindsey Horan, M Christine Sinclair, F Caitlin Foord (Ana Crnogorcevic 70’), F Hayley Raso (Simone Charley 78’), F Midge Purce (Katherine Reynolds 46’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Britt Eckerstrom, D Elizabeth Ball, M Andressinha, M Emily Ogle
Head Coach: Mark Parsons
Shots: 11
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 12
Corner kicks: 5
Saves: 1
article kicker photo by Maddy Grassy
