2. The Great Seattle Doubleheader of 2023
Reign 2, Thorns 1 - June 3, 2023
Who doesn't love a doubleheader? Follow-up question: who doesn't love a Seattle vs. Portland doubleheader? Reign's Megan Rapinoe sure loves a Seattle doubleheader.
After a goalless draw between the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers, the women's sides took to the pitch and delivered in front of a record-setting crowd of over 27,000 fans at Lumen Field.
Jess Fishlock assisted an early Megan Rapinoe shot in the 16th minute to put the home side in front. From there, Rapinoe found the back of the net again to bag a brace. Her penalty gave Seattle a comfortable lead, but Portland struck back just before half-time to cut the deficit to one. The Thorns failed to ever find an equalizer and the home side prevailed to secure all three points.
1. Seattle's fantastic five-spot
Reign 5, Thorns 0 - July 7, 2014
Perhaps the best rivalry match between the two sides came in the form of Seattle's thumping 5-0 win. The win in 2014 remains the biggest margin of victory between the sides and the most goals scored in the rivalry.
Reign's win was also crucial in securing the team's first ever NWSL Shield. Seattle was looking to win both games that season over the Thorns, after a late goal secured three points for the Reign.
This time, Seattle didn't leave it until late to win the match. A mistake from Portland saw Seattle find the back of the net after just two minutes. The Reign faced some pressure from their bitter rivals but Portland could never find the finish they needed.
Kim Little and Nahomi Kawasumi connected twice on the night, once in the first half and then minutes into the second half. With the Reign already cruising, Rapinoe (who loves a rivalry match) came into the game and added a fourth goal just minutes after taking the field. Little bagged a goal for herself late in the game, giving her the lead for the league's Golden Boot race after contributing her two assists.