Instant Reaction: Portland Thorns vs. Seattle Reign
Who got the spoils in this Cascadia rivalry game?
Sunday brought us round two of the Cascadia Rivalry of this year and after the emphatic win the Thorns got at home, both teams divided spoils this time in a 0-0 draw.
Absences and changes
The lineup was very different compared to the one we saw last week against the North Carolina Courage due to a variety of reasons. Portland’s availability report got a little crowded this week, with Sam Coffey, Olivia Moultrie and Isabella Obaze out due to injury and Sophia Smith unavailable due to suspension.
Therefore, coach Rob Gale put Christine Sinclair in the midfield alongside Hina Sugita and Jessie Fleming while Payton Linnehan, Izzy D’Aquila, and Janine Beckie were in charge of the attack. In the backline, the only change was Reyna Reyes, who got the start instead of Nicole Payne.
It was positive that despite the depleted roster in key positions — let’s remember that Morgan Weaver hasn’t returned from her injury yet — at least they got a point on the road. The opponent had something to do with that since they’re one spot away from the bottom of the table and haven’t won in their last six matches.
In this game, Portand got the ball in the first half but the home team had decent chances that could’ve sent the Thorns down in the score before halftime. However, the Thorns created some decent chances too. Past half an hour into the match, Janine Beckie orchestrated some nice plays that should’ve ended up in the back of the net. Actually, the highest xG Portland registered was in the 36’ when Linnehan ended up in the 6-yard box to finish but sent the ball off target.
As an aside: What was Lauren Barnes thinking when she passed the ball to Quinn while they were surrounded by three Thorns? We understand she wanted to build from the back — but at what cost?! Too bad the Thorns couldn’t convert this to a goal.
Both teams were pushing until the end — the referee added 10 minutes of stoppage time — but neither could break through despite the chances.
There wasn’t much chemistry in this new backline the coach tried on but it was expected since it was the first time those three forwards started together. Maybe more was expected from Linnehan, but we can’t put a scoreless draw on the rookie. She did well.
This Cascadia rivalry game was a forgettable one indeed but a point on the road was a positive result for the Thorns. Of course, it feels like a downgrade when we compare it to the 4-0 beating at Providence Park but given the circumstances…
Another positive was the fact that Portland finished the game unscathed after many players had to receive medical assistance after hitting their heads.
One more positive? This was the fifth clean sheet for Shelby Hogan and the Thorns this year.
The next game for the Thorns will generate big expectations for sure. After all, it will be a rematch of the opening game of the NWSL season. That game against Kansas City was wild and chaotic in equal parts and showed both teams’ strengths and weaknesses. Six months later we will see if they could fix their mistakes — or if they will pay for not doing so.
Do not miss Portland vs the Kansas City Current next Sunday at 1 PM PT.
Alright, here’s a distilled version of my big issue with the NWSL ruling beyond the fact that it’s bizarrely punitive:
“Frivolous” is a subjective term. By attaching an extreme punishment to a subjective term, you’re not being clear with your rules. I understand the goal is to dissuade appeals of obviously correct decisions, but this is an ABSURD, bush-league way of doing that.
Appeals of disciplinary actions are *routine* in every other major sports league I follow. What is even the point of this rule that punishes teams for appealing? If I'm the NWSLPA, I'm calling up my friends in NFLPA and MLBPA and figuring out how to get this awful rule tossed in the trash in the next CBA.
I'm in the camp that fully believes Smith wasted time on purpose and I love that she was carded for it. I can't stand when players do this shit. But if you're not allowed to make your case dispassionately after the fact without risking a MASSIVE punishment, why even have an appeals process at all?