Seattle Reign look to build on their opening day win as they visit the Portland Thorns for an early-season rivalry match this evening. This is only the third time the Reign have visited the Thorns so early in the season, and only the second time it’s happened before Seattle has been able to play in front of their own home fans.

On opening weekend, the Thorns visited the Washington Spirit, where they won 1-0 thanks to an early second-half goal from Olivia Moultrie. The Reign were in Orlando, where they came away with a 2-1 victory after several hours of weather delays.

The long-time rivalry is nearly even, with Seattle holding a 16-17-10 record in all competitions against Portland. That includes a 7-11-4 record on the road at Providence Park. The Reign have scored 46 goals and conceded 49.

Match Preview: Seattle Reign at Portland Thorns

The first round of the Cascadia derby comes early this season.

Sounder at HeartSteve Voght

Keys to the game

• Maintain defensive discipline
• Control the wide space
• Challenge Portland’s untested goalkeeper

Notes

• Portland remains without goalkeepers Mackenzie Arnold (AFC Women’s Asian Cup) and Bella Bixby (season-ending knee injury), meaning the relatively untested Morgan Messner is expected to earn her second-ever NWSL start.
• Jordyn Bugg, Sally Menti and Shae Holmes are still out for the Reign while recovering from preseason knocks. The team is also balancing fitness issues after a Sunday evening game, which spanned 5+ hours and multiple warm-ups, followed by significant sleep and recovery disruptions as they tried to arrange a flight home.
• With injuries to key defenders and a quick turnaround to the midweek and weekend matches in Spokane next week, the Reign signed defender Keeley Dockter to a short-term contract through April 19. Dockter is a Reign Academy alumni, recently graduated from the University of Portland, and was named MVP for Salmon Bay FC last summer.
• Tonight is the Thorns' home opener. In true Portland fashion, they’re handing out free capes to fans.

Injuries, absences, suspensions

Reign: OUT: Lynn Biyendolo (Maternity Leave), Jordyn Bugg (Leg), Mia Fishel (Leg), Shae Holmes (Lower Leg), Sally Menti (Knee), Cassie Miller (Leg - SEI)

Thorns: OUT: Bella Bixby (Knee - SEI), Julie Dufour (Knee - SEI), Caiya Hanks (Knee - SEI), Morgan Weaver (Knee - SEI)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Mackenzie Arnold (Australia)

Recent form

Reign: W (1-0-0, +1 GD; 5th place)
Thorns: W (1-0-0, +1 GD; 6th place)

Officials

REF: Elvis Osmanovic; AR1: Christian Clerc; AR2: Darren Bandy; 4TH: Dion Coxe-Trieger; VAR: Shawn Tehini; AVAR: Matthew Seem

How to Watch

Match date/kickoff time: Friday, March 20th, 7 PM PT

Venue: Providence Park, Portland

Broadcast: Prime Video (Mike Watts & Lori Lindsey)

Is this game available to stream for free in the US? No

Lineups

Highlights

Highlights will be posted as the match progresses.

Join the discussion in our Discord gamethread (Supporter tier and above), or in the comments below.

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