Seattle Reign advanced to 2-2-1 this weekend thanks to a 1-0 victory over the Portland Thorns, marking the Reign's first regular-season rivalry win since 2021. Rookie Maddie Dahlien scored the lone goal in the 4th minute of the match. The Reign created several additional chances before holding on in the last 10 minutes as the Thorns pushed for an equalizer.
Here are three stats from the match.
60%
In a rivalry match, teams often have to say goodbye to tactics and game plans — and instead rely on a lot of grit and determination to come out victorious. That's exactly what the Reign did on Friday night. They won 60% of their ground and aerial duels, winning 58 compared to Portland's 38.
Jordyn Huitema led this category by a healthy distance, winning 16 of 18 duels, including all nine of her aerial duels, and getting fouled a game-high five times. She was taken down hard by Jayden Perry in the 77th minute, earning Portland their third yellow card. While Huitema wasn't able to get any shots off, she did all the dirty work that's required in a rivalry game.
Some of the fouls and aerial duels that Jordyn Huitema won against the Thorns
Sam Meza and Angharad (Haz) James-Turner were also critical in the midfield. Meza won 11/19 ground duels while Haz won 6/8. Meza also won seven tackles and had seven recoveries, while James-Turner won all four of her tackles. Those two helped the Reign win the midfield battle.
Some of Sam Meza and Angharad James-Turner's key defensive plays against Portland
This was a great chance on goal by Lynn Biyendolo in last night's Reign - Thorns game but even better was this just *sublime* through pass by Angharad James-Turner. Just perfectly weighted, checking up perfectly for Lynn to run on to. Replaying it over and over in my head. Well done, Haz
— LP (@likkitp.ynyaproductions.com) 2025-04-19T20:44:08.920Z
Meza currently leads the NWSL in tackles won per 90 (5.5), while James-Turner ranks fifth (3.3).
10
Maddie Dahlien scored her first professional goal on Friday, becoming the youngest Reign player to score in the Cascadia rivalry match. After putting four of her five shots on target against the Thorns, Dahlien is now second in the league behind Barbra Banda with 10 shots on target this season.
She also had 10 touches in the box against the Thorns, a sign of just how often she was getting into dangerous positions. Dahlien is second in the league, again behind Banda, in carries into the penalty box (14).
One example of Dahlien's ability to carry the ball into the penalty box with her pace
The Reign didn't have anyone who could stretch opponents last year and struggled to progress the ball quickly. Having Dahlien has been a revelation for this team — and she has shown tremendous growth already. Where can she go from here?
70%
In the 83rd minute, the Thorns subbed forward Pietra Tordin in for left back Reyna Reyes, giving them extra numbers into the attack. They created 70% of their expected goals (xG) total after this change, getting six shots off in the final 7+ minutes. The Thorns had only accumulated 0.33 xG until this point.
The Reign still held on for three points in large part because of the goalkeeping efforts of Claudia Dickey, who commanded her box on every play. However, they need to reflect on the final 15 minutes of the match and examine how they can avoid a late push in future matches. The same thing happened in their win against the North Carolina Courage. As Lynn Biyendolo said to reporters after the match, it's a lot easier to reflect on these things after a win.
The Reign are back on the road next weekend, traveling south for a match against Bay FC. That game kicks off Saturday, April 26, at 7 p.m. PT and will air on ION.
