Seattle Reign overcome travel woes in season-opening win The Seattle Reign are looking to continue their momentum following their season-opening win in Friday's highly anticipated rivalry game against the Portland Thorns.#friday #portland_thorns #seattle_reign #season_opening #rivalry_game
Portland Thorns secured their 2026 NWSL season opener with a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit, thanks to a second-half goal from midfielder Olivia Moultrie. The match, played at Providence Park, saw the Thorns dominate possession but struggle to break through the Spirit’s defense until Moultrie’s decisive strike in the 68th minute. The goal came after Moultrie shook her marker in midfield and ran onto a cross between two defenders, showcasing her physicality and awareness. Seattle Reign, meanwhile, faced significant challenges during their third consecutive visit to the Orlando Pride, winning 2-1 in a game disrupted by weather delays and arduous travel to Florida. Head coach Laura Harvey acknowledged the toll of the trip, noting that players who didn’t even touch the field showed physical data equivalent to nearly 90 minutes of play due to multiple warm-ups and delays. “There’s no one that you can look at and go, ‘They’re fresh and ready,’” Harvey said, emphasizing the need to prioritize player safety and adapt tactics based on how teams feel. The Reign’s lineup was further complicated by the absence of key players, including Shae Holmes, Jordyn Bugg, and Sally Menti, who are recovering from minor injuries. Forward Mia Fishel also missed the game after subbing out with hamstring tightness. These absences, combined with the travel fatigue, forced Harvey to rely on depth and adjust strategies to manage energy levels for an upcoming midweek clash against Kansas City. Portland’s roster remained largely unchanged from last season, with the exception of midfielder Sam Coffey, who was transferred to Manchester City in January. The team also did not offer a new contract to defender Kaitlyn Torpey, who started half of their games in 2025.#portland_thorns #washington_spirit #olivia_moultrie #seattle_reign #laura_harvey
