Tickets available now for the PNW battle – kickoff set for 7pm PT. Get your notes, numbers and a preview on Saturday's matchup.
Portland Thorns FC have turned it on, and with four-straight wins, they welcome rivals Seattle Reign FC for the first Cascadia showdown of the NWSL season. Kickoff from Providence Park is set for 7pm PT. Tickets are available **here** – viewers can also stream the match live on ION.
- 🏟️ Stadium Info: It's going to be a party in Portland this weekend Gates open 2.5 hours before kickoff so you don't miss any of the action. **More info here**.
- 👚 Matchday Jersey: We're in the Forever Thorn kit in the battle for Cascadia! Shop any of the Thorns 2024 kits now at PTFC Authentics.
- 🖥️ NWSL Broadcast Guide: The NWSL is more accessible than ever before, don't miss any of the action. Click here for more details.
Portland (4th, 4-3-1, 13pts) and Seattle (11th, 2-5-1, 7pts) will face-off for the 23rd time in NWSL regular season play. The Thorns have been enjoying a revitalized period of soccer that has seen them win four-straight with a +7 goal differential over that span. Their 2-1 home win last weekend over then-second place Washington Spirit helped propel them into the league's top 4. Meanwhile, Seattle have lost five of their last seven matches, and a win over the hottest team in the league could help turn their season around.
Thorns vs. Seattle | Everything you need to know ↓
The Opponent: Seattle Reign FC (11th, 2-5-1, 7pts)
the Seattle Reign are coming off a valiant effort against league-leaders Kanasas City Current midweek, securing a scoreless draw at home. Now they travel to the hottest-team in the league on just two-days rest.
Head coach Laura Harvey has some work to do if Seattle are to be playoffs contenders this season. Her lineups have fluctuated throughout the matchdays so it's hard to put a finger on how the Reign may suit up come Saturday. Against the current on Wednesday, Harvey deployed a 4-4-2 formation that ultimately shut Kansas City out, in part thanks to the player of the match performance from goalkeeper Laurel Ivory.
Korean international So-Yun Jin and forward Bethany Balcer are leading their fight offensively. So-Yun has recorded two assists and a goal, while Balcer has three tallies to her name.
Notes & Numbers
First Half Threat
During their current winning streak, the Thorns have been dangerous in the first 45 minutes of regulation scoring eight of their eleven total goals over that stretch in the first half.
10
Sophia Smith's season just keeps getting better and better. She currently leads the league in goal involvements with 10 total goals and assists. It's no wonder she's a part of the NWSL Best XI for March/April.
No. 23
The Thorns defense has been getting praised during their current run of form, and defender Marie Müller has been making her presence known in her debut NWSL season. Portland's No. 23 is currently second in the league in interceptions per 90 minutes with 3.1.
L5
In their last five regular season meetings against Seattle, the Thorns are undefeated, amassing a 2-0-3 record.
