In a first-of-its-kind doubleheader match, the OL Reign defeated their fiercest rival, the Portland Thorns, 2-1 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. OL Reign are in 3rd place in the NWSL standings after scoring three points. Megan Rapinoe and Jess Fishlock, seasoned veterans of the rivalry, connected to give the OL Reign an early lead. In the 16th minute, Fishlock sent a through pass to Rapinoe, who took a few moves until she reached the top of the 18-yard box and scored with a low and powerful shot.

With the support of 27,278 supporters at Lumen Field, the Reign got some traction. Despite having just 37.5 percent possession in the first half, the squad made the most of it and maintained control of the crucial 18-yard boxes on both sides of the field, something head coach Laura Harvey emphasized before the game.

When the OL Reign were awarded a penalty kick after a Portland handball, they scored again. Rapinoe, of course, stepped up to the plate and calmly placed the ball in the same bottom corner as her first goal, putting the OL Reign up 2-0 over their Cascadia rivals. Angela Salem then received a ball that was only partially cleared to the top of the Reign's 18-yard box and volleyed it into the back of the net in the 49th minute of the first half for the Portland Thorns. At halftime, it would be 2-1 in favor of the Reign.

The second half was just as thrilling, with both teams fueled by rivalry fervor. Despite the fact that the OL Reign had nine shots and the Thorns had ten, neither side was able to score. In the 80th minute of the game, OL Reign goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi made a crucial stop on a powerful shot from Morgan Weaver to maintain the team in front. OL Reign won a tremendous game in front of a record-breaking crowd after 90 minutes of hard labor.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Jackie Shinstrom]