Image courtesy of Alejandra Rivera
With an attendance of 27248 fans in the Lumen Field (an absolute record for a NWSL match), the OL Reign got the three points by winning with a 2×1 score against the Portland Thorns.
Before the game there were some interesting facts worthy to consider when trying to understand how the match unfolded: No Sam Hiatt (still recovering from a back injury from last week before the game against Gotham FC) and no Zee King (technical decision). Plus, in the initial lineup Quinn appeared as Center Back, which was something really different compared to what we always see from the Canadian Gold Medalist.
However, it was not the only surprise.
Sofía Huerta: Anyplace, Anywhere, Anytime
In the last weeks we’ve been talking a lot about Sofía Huerta. Creating spaces, always switching positions in order to help the team, doing what’s needed, when needed. Today it wasn’t different. In order to provide stability to the 4-3-3 formation designed by the Head Coach Laura Harvey, Sofía played as Right Back.
This interesting move was already on Harvey’s mind, even when the moment to try it wasn’t decided yet. Today was the perfect time to try it, and Huerta agreed to do it.
“I had a conversation with her before I decided to speak to anyone else about it just to see if she would be comfortable with it”
Huerta’s response was priceless:
“I’ll do whatever you want me to do”
She was very precise with the timing, the pressure and the communication with midfielders and forwards (today her usual spot as forward was taken by Eugénie Le Sommer).
What happened
From the very beginning of the game, the Thorns tried to put lots of pressure on the Reign attacking with Sinclair, Horan and Smith. However, the match was dynamic and both teams were able to avoid dangerous situations. Rapinoe on the left, Le Sommer on the right and Fishlock covering the central spots while also moving backwards in order to help Rose Lavelle and Quinn.
During all the first half, Lindsey Horan (playing as Left Midfielder) never was able to find the required spaces in order to create some kind of danger against the goal defended by Sarah Bouhaddi.
In the 16th minute, a great pass from Fishlock to Rapinoe was the perfect opportunity to score the first goal with an effective shot close to Bixby’s left post. It was the first goal for the Reign, and the match changed since then. The host team evidently got rid of the initial difficulties and started hunting the Thorns’ players, taking advantage of the Rapinoe-Fishlock-Le sommer trio and the extraordinary help coming from Huerta on the back.
It was the 40th minute, and Natalia Kuikka conceded a penalty with a handball. Megan Rapinoe took the ball and sealed the victory. Since then the match seemed to be over, but Salem scored on the 45+4. However, it wasn’t enough to drive the match in a different direction.
The Reign was sharply focused on not to make mistakes, which was acknowledged by Jess Fishlock and Megan Rapinoe (regarding the discussion the players had during the halftime):
“Don’t be stupid. Just be smart, lock it up”
The second half was about that. Locking the score and avoiding mistakes. The final whistle came with a major fact: This was the biggest attendance in the history of NWSL.
The team deserved it.
Both teams will have more action next week, as the Reign will travel to Houston in order to face the Dash on Wednesday (September 1) at 8PM (5 Pacific), meanwhile the Thorns will host Washington Spirit next Saturday (September 4) at 10:30PM (7:30 Pacific).