OL Reign vs. Portland Thorns: Gamethread and updates
5 PM PT. CBS Sports Network. Watch with us.
OL Reign wraps up a Seattle-Portland doubleheader on Saturday night, as they take on the Portland Thorns in NWSL play. The match kicks off at 5 PM and will air on CBS Sports Network. That means you won’t be able to stream this one on Paramount+.
After nine matches, the NWSL standings are extremely tight. Just three points separate sixth and first place. The Thorns (4-1-4) and Reign (5-3-1) are in 2nd and 3rd, respectively, but are level on points with 16 each and are just one point out of first.
The Thorns have scored 23 goals, while the Reign have scored 17 — and both sides have conceded 11.
“Everyone knows my feelings around Portland. I haven’t kept them quiet the whole time I’ve lived in this city,” OL Reign head coach Laura Harvey said in a joint press conference with the Sounders. “From the first game of coming to Sounders-Timbers, I remember walking through the concourse and a Timbers fan was walking past me and I had immediate hatred.”
What to Watch
- How well the Reign prevent balls to Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver: combined, they have seven goals and five assists in nine matches
- OL Reign’s movement in the attack: are they pulling Portland defenders out of position?
- Set pieces: the Reign and Thorns have the most set-piece goals in the league. Who takes advantage of the dead-ball plays the best?
Injury / Availability Report
OL Reign
OUT: Angelina (SEI – knee), Rose Lavelle (leg), Phoebe McClernon (D45 – back)
Portland Thorns
OUT: Janine Beckie (SEI – knee), Rocky Rodriguez (knee)
Referees
REF: Brad Jensen
AR1: Jennifer Garner
AR2: Alicia Messer
4TH: Patricia McCracken
VAR: Robi Hullner
AVAR: Joel McKell
Lineups
Your Starting XI Portland Thorns FC
— OL Reign (@OLReign) June 3, 2023
Let's GOOO! #ReignSupreme pic.twitter.com/Wpfoxjt1W3
PNW SHOWDOWN #BAONPDX pic.twitter.com/PqFMRckUxd
— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) June 3, 2023
Highlights
17’ - Sophia Smith makes it 1-0
Who else but @sophsssmith?! @ThornsFC is on top in Seattle! pic.twitter.com/HYcjCsUpiE
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 4, 2023
87’ - Christine Sinclair doubles the lead for Portland.
CHRISTINE SINCLAIR!!!!@sincy12 puts a bow on an excellent @ThornsFC performance! pic.twitter.com/xTBcKJdeuP
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 4, 2023
How to Watch
Date/Time: Saturday, June 3, 5 PM PT
Location: Lumen Field, Seattle
TV: CBS Sports Network
Streaming: CBSSports.com, TSN+ (Canada), NWSLSoccer.com (International)
Join the Discussion
This is your OL Reign versus Portland Thorns gamethread. Join the discussion in the comments, and follow @RoValks on Twitter for live updates.