Reign and Thorns draw 0-0 in NWSL Challenge Cup
OL Reign 0
Portland Thorns FC 0
August 6, 2023
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Challenge Cup – Group Phase
OL Reign hosted Portland Thorns FC in the final match of group play in the NWSL Challenge Cup on Sunday afternoon in Seattle.
The match was an opportunity for the host Reign to clinch the top seed in the cup competition to give them the opportunity to host the semifinal round in September. Although not a factor in the tournament for the Thorns, the match was still another chapter in the Cascadia rivalry and derby with the chance to spoil home field for their rival.
Both the Reign and Thorns are attacking and pressing sides. With a festive atmosphere and regional rivalry added to the mix, the early stages were a brisk end to end affair. Each created some chances and found more success attacking from the wings, pushing wide and working to get crosses in for chances in the very clogged up middle.
Tziarra King nearly got the early goal in the third minute that would have broke the match open early, but the Portland defense stepped up. As the first half progressed, the real chances tended towards crosses trying to connect with runners than in effective direct shots on goal.
Bethany Balcer headed high in the 13th minute, connecting on a far post cross that just floated over. Veronica Latsko managed a fierce crack on goal cutting inside and striking with her left foot, but the 25th minute shot his the post.
The Thorns counter and possession tracked similar to Seattle, with moving the ball wide creating more dangerous movement, but the Reign defense kept absorbing and limiting real chances on goal as the half progressed.
Portland did push forward and get more sustained attacking possession and chances later in the have, buit shots were just over or just wide.
The match would remain goalless entering the interval level.
The draw would serve the Reign in the push for top seed in the Challenge Cup. But coach Laura Harvey pushed forward with three halftime changes, not appearing to settle.
Portland’s attack continued to poke and prob at the Seattle defense, showing patience. Olivia Moultrie was often in possession looking to distribute to the various attacking options. Both sides continued to push against well organized defenses that were bending but holding their shape.
Both coaches utilized their full contingent of subs to bring on fresh legs mostly in the offense, not playing for the goalless draw. Morgan Weaver came on late for the Thorns and pressed the Reign defense down the stretch and into stoppage. But, most attacks still tended to need to move wide and crosses were not finding attackers in the crowded centers of either defense.
With the final whistle, the match ended in the goalless draw and the Reign clinched the top seed in the September semifinals. Also with the result, the Seattle club ran the group phase without conceding a goal in the six matches.
The attendance of 12,061 was a stand alone match record and challenge cup record attendance for the Reign.
Racing Louisville will travel to Seattle on September 6. The Reign have a stadium scheduling conflict and cannot host the final on September 9 should they advance.
BOX
Scoring
RGN: None
POR: None
Discipline
RGN: None
POR: None
Lineups
RGN: GK Ivory, D Brown (Hiatt 46’), D Holmes, D McClernon, D Malonson (Barnes 62’), M Canales, M Stanton (Van der Jagt 46’), M Athens (Viggiano 87’), F Latsko, F Balcer © (Bennett 46’), F King
Unused substitutes: GK Dickey, M Fitzgerald, F Weinert, F Edwards
Total Shots: 11 (Bennett, Latsko – 3)
Shots on Goal: 3 (Three tied with – 1)
Fouls: 3 (Bennett – 2)
Offsides: 0
Corner Kicks: 2
Saves: 1 (Ivory – 1)
POR: GK Hogan, D Klingenberg, D Menges (Nally 64’), D Hubly, D Kuikka, M Porter (Provenzano 70’), M Coffey ©, M Moultrie, F Vasconcelos (Beckman 63’), F Betfort (Weaver 80’), F D’Aquila (Walker 64’)
Unused substitutes: GK Bixby, D/M Reyes, D McGrady, D Morrison
Total Shots: 8 (Vasconcelos – 3)
Shots on Goal: 1 (Moultrie– 1)
Fouls: 4 (Four tied with – 1)
Offsides: 2
Corner Kicks: 2
Saves: 3 (Hogan– 3)
Referee: Matthew Corrigan
Assistant Referee 1: Salma Perez
Assistant Referee 2: Jacob Little
4th Official: Hunter Zachwieja
VAR: Hunter Zachwieja
AVAR: Tony Obas