The best rivalry in women's soccer is officially back at Lumen Field this Sunday, with our Seattle Reign playing at home for the first time since way back on May 15th. This is HUGE, especially after a league break for the men's World Cup and a tough road trip that left us wanting more. We are coming off a brutal 1-3 loss to the North Carolina Courage, where Sally Menti bagged her first goal of the season, only for the Courage to tie it up three minutes later and then seal the deal with a second-half penalty. Not ideal.
We've Got A Score To Settle (Seriously)
Let's be real, the Portland Thorns have been a thorn in our side. Our all-time record against them sits at 16-18-10, and even at home, it's 9-6-6. Our last win in the series? April 18, 2025, a 1-0 victory where Maddie Dahlien netted the lone goal in the 4th minute. And you remember that Week 2 Cascadia Clash, right? They beat us 2-0, even after losing two players to red cards! That still stings. Meanwhile, Portland is rolling, coming off a dominant 4-0 shutout against Racing Louisville. They are on a mission, but this is Lumen Field, and the 12s need to remind them whose house it is. Our high-volume tactics, with 49 crosses and 17 shots in that last match against Portland, didn't quite crack them. We need small adjustments to break through. Preventing chances for Sophia Wilson and being absolutely ruthless in the box are gonna be key, along with locking down their midfield and getting clinical on set piece defense.Injuries, Absences, And The Queen's Potential Return
It's not just tactics we're dealing with, we've got a roster that's taking some hits. Lynn Biyendolo is out on maternity leave, and Madison Curry, Claudia Dickey, and Shae Holmes are all sidelined with ankle or knee injuries. We've also got Sofia Cedeño and Evan O'Steen away on international duty with the US U-20 WNT. On the flip side, the Thorns recently signed Dutch midfielder Nina Nijstad from PSV Eindhoven Vrouwen, a big-time player with four caps and two goals for the Senior National Team, but THANKFULLY, she won't be available for Sunday's match since the transfer window doesn't open until July 14. They also transferred forward Mimi Alidou to Montreal. But here's the kicker, the news we've all been waiting for: Jess Fishlock could be back! Our absolute legend has been working back into training after suffering a left leg injury on April 26 against the Utah Royals. Head coach Laura Harvey is making the call on Fishlock's availability after Saturday's training, but just the thought of her return has me hyped! Sunday at Lumen Field is more than just a game, folks. It's a chance to rewrite some history against our biggest rival, ignite this home stand, and show the league what the Emerald City is all about. With Lumen Field on track for one of its biggest crowds ever, the 12s need to be LOUD. Let's get this win, Reign!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.