Christine Sinclair celebrates after scoring a goal in the 87th minute of the Portland Thorns’ 2-0 road win over the OL Reign at Lumen Field. (Stephen Brashear/USA TODAY Sports)
The last time the Portland Thorns defeated OL Reign in Seattle, the Thorns had two fewer stars above its crest.
Portland’s 2-0 shutout win at Lumen Field on Saturday was the Thorns’ first NWSL regular season win against the Reign since 2018 and first road win at a Reign stadium since 2017. Since then, the Thorns have added two NWSL championship titles (2017, 2022) and another NWSL shield (2021) — all while defeating their Pacific Northwest rivals remained a challenge.
“Every time we play them it’s a battle,” said Thorns defender Emily Menges. “The messaging before the game from (head coach) Mike (Norris) was, ‘Yep, come for the battle, but don’t make it a street fight, make it a boxing match.’ … I think we rose to that occasion and I think that’s what we did.”
Sophia Smith opened scoring for the Thorns in the 17th minute, curling the ball…
