Finally, Portland-Seattle is feeling like a rivalry in the National Women’s Soccer League.
The rivalry has been assumed given geography, but it never really progressed in 2013 — it was forced. Portland won all four matches en route to a league title, and Seattle finished seventh in the then eight-team league.
But Saturday’s match — which the Reign won 1-0 on a 90th minute goal from Kim Little — had the makings of something different all week. Both teams entered unbeaten, though Thorns coach Paul Riley insisted the Reign had played a soft schedule. But Seattle left the Rose City a perfect 6-0-0 on Saturday and now 10 points clear of second-place Portland.
And afterword? Things got fun on Twitter, and the intensity turned up just a little bit. The tweets tell the story:
Reign celebrating like they won a championship after being outplayed by depleted Thorns team. Good game…will be fun to see them again.
— Merritt Paulson (@MerrittPaulson) May 11, 2014
@sydneyleroux as long as my other looks are ok, i am fine 🙂
— Merritt Paulson (@MerrittPaulson) May 11, 2014
There are Portland fans yelling abuse at Hope Solo as the teams mill around on the field after the game.
— Keith Hickey (@usarsnl) May 11, 2014
