While last night an assist award could be given to the center referee, the Reign did well to use all tricks available to them to get the 1-0 victory over the Thorns. To their credit, OL calmly poked at Portland’s defense until a small opening was found by Jess Fishlock in the 74th, who sent a beautiful ball through to Rose Lavelle, the only player to score an official goal of the match. The game would see two Portland goals called offside, leading to a vocal – and arguably justifiable – dissent from the stadium. On a personal note I do find it interesting that the available reply doesn’t show either offsides call. However, again, credit to the OL Reign for a strong game plan.
Looking back to their their 3-0 victory over the newly incorporated Angel City FC, when the Thorns are on form, they are ruthless. Portland have started off the season playing like title contenders. With just a few games under their belt, they look more organized and intentional about their plays than they have in a while. Kuikka, and Ryan are rising to the top of an already strong roster that includes Weaver, Everett, Sophia Smith and the stalwart middle rock, Rocky Rodríguez .
Another take away from the Challenge Cup is that it feels like the love of the game is finally overtaking the fandom’s disappointment towards the Thorns front office. Providence Park has been alive and invested in the matches. Soccer city hasn’t forgotten the issues, but joy has returned to the park.
Click below for photos of the Thorns v Angel City FC and Thorns v OL Reign matches.
*All photos by Jeff Wong.
Thorns’ forward Morgan Weaver beats US Team star Kristen Press of Angel City for the header in the Portland Thorns 3-0 win over Angel City in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on March 30, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).Thorns defender Meaghan Nally brings the ball down with her tummy in the Portland Thorns 3-0 win over Angel City in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on March 30, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).The Thorns’ Hina Sugita and Kelli Hubly struggle to contain US Team star forward Kristen Press of Angel City in front of the Thorns’ goal in the Portland Thorns 3-0 win over Angel City in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on March 30, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).Thorns’ Kelli Hubly goes to the ground to block the shot of US Team star Kristen Press’ of Angel City in the Portland Thorns 3-0 win over Angel City in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on March 30, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).Thorns’ Yazmeen Ryan gets a shot at point blank range and scores the Thorns’ second goal over Angel City’s goalie Didi Haracic in the Portland Thorns 3-0 win over Angel City in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on March 30, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).The Thorns faithful Riveters celebrate the team’s second goal of the match by Yazmeen Ryan in the Portland Thorns 3-0 win over Angel City in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on March 30, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).The Thorns’ Natalie Beckman intercepts a pass intended for US Team star Kristen Press of Angel City in the Portland Thorns 3-0 win over Angel City in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on March 30, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).The Thorns’ Sophia Smith gets sandwiched in a double team but keeps possession in the Portland Thorns 3-0 win over Angel City in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on March 30, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).Thorns goalie Bella Bixby catches a shot on goal and keeps a clean sheet in the Portland Thorns 3-0 win over Angel City in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on March 30, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).Thorns Natalia Kuikka gets surrounded by a triple team and dishes it off in the Portland Thorns 3-0 win over Angel City in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on March 30, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).Thorns defender Kelli Hubly heads the ball away from the Thorns goal in the Portland Thorns 3-0 win over Angel City in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on March 30, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).Thorns’ Natalie Beckman steals the ball from Angel City’s Cari Roccaro in the Portland Thorns 3-0 win over Angel City in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on March 30, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).Thorns goalie Bella Bixby punches an Angel City corner kick to safety in the Portland Thorns 3-0 win over Angel City in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on March 30, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).Angel City defender Dani Weatherholt refuses to allow Thorns star forward Sophia Smith access to the cross in the Portland Thorns 3-0 win over Angel City in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on March 30, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).Thorns forward Sophia Smith makes her way past Angel City defenders to score one of the three goals Portland had against Angel City FC March 30, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong). Thorns’ Rocky Rodriguez gets in a tousle with Reign double team of Angelina and Quinn in the OL Reign’s 1-0 win over the Portland Thorns in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on April 2, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).Thorns’ Kelli Hubly tries to keep a hard charging Veronica Latsko off the ball in the OL Reign’s 1-0 win over the Portland Thorns in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on April 2, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).The Reign’s Jess Fishlock and the Thorns’ Sophia Smith battle for possession in the OL Reign’s 1-0 win over the Portland Thorns in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on April 2, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).The Reign’s Jess Fishlock challenges the Thorns’ Sophia Smith as Smith carries the ball into the Reign box in the OL Reign’s 1-0 win over the Portland Thorns in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on April 2, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).US Team World Cup star Rose Lavelle of the Reign breaks away with the Thorns Hina Sugita in pursuit in the OL Reign’s 1-0 win over the Portland Thorns in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on April 2, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).The Thorns’ Kelli Hubly blocks out the Reign’s Jess Fishlock and takes the ball downfield in the OL Reign’s 1-0 win over the Portland Thorns in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on April 2, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).The Reign’s Jimena Lopez slides to intercept a pass to the Thorn’s Natalia Kuikka in the OL Reign’s 1-0 win over the Portland Thorns in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on April 2, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).The Reign’s Veronica Latsko downs a high ball with her chest in the Portland Thorns 3-0 win over Angel City in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on March 30, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).The Thorns’ Christine Sinclair, an Olympic gold medalist from the Canadian team and the leading international scorer in the world, and the Reign’s Jimena Lopez, compete for the header in the OL Reign’s 1-0 win over the Portland Thorns in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on April 2, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).The Thorns’ Natalia Kuikka and the Reign’s Jimena Lopez compete for the ball in the OL Reign’s 1-0 win over the Portland Thorns in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on April 2, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).The Thorns’ Natalia Kuikka and the Reign’s Veronica Latsko compete for the ball in the OL Reign’s 1-0 win over the Portland Thorns in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on April 2, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).The Thorns’ midfielder Hina Sugita gets locked up in the double team of the Reign’s Rose Lavelle, the 2019 US Team World Cup star, and Sofia Huerta, in the OL Reign’s 1-0 win over the Portland Thorns in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on April 2, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).The Reign’s Sam Hiatt and Quinn double team and dispossess the Thorn’s Sophia Smith at the top of the Reign’s box with no call from the ref in the OL Reign’s 1-0 win over the Portland Thorns in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on April 2, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).The Reign’s Rose Lavelle, the US Team World Cup star, goes up for a header in the OL Reign’s 1-0 win over the Portland Thorns in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on April 2, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).The Reign’s goalie, Phallon Tullis-Joyce, snatches a high shot from the air in the OL Reign’s 1-0 win over the Portland Thorns in the NWSL Challenge Cup match in Providence Park, Portland, Oregon on April 2, 2022 (Photo by Jeff Wong).
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