Seattle and Portland make up one of the most exciting rivalries (known as the Cascadia Rival) in soccer, and just this week they face each other in the NWSL tournament twice! With the teams' international player's returning and signs pointing towards a sell out, tonight's match has all the makings of possibly the biggest game of the year so far.
Both teams are going into this match having lost their previous ones, so the pressure is on for both teams. Seattle and Portland currently sit on opposite sides of the league table, with Seattle Reign just 1 point behind the current leaders Chicago Red Stars with 24 goals.
For Portland Thorns FC, the return of World Cup players Christine Sinclair (Canada's Captain) and Jodie Taylor will potentially mean more goal scoring. Word Cup winner Tobin Heath, as well as German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer and Sinclair have stated that it is their goal, on return, to help push the Thorns to a second NWSL title.
Seattle Reign FC welcome back World Cup Champions Megan Rapinoe - who has already scored 3 goals in her 3 matches played in this tournament - and goalkeeper Hope Solo - winner of the Golden Glove award at the Women's World Cup for least conceded goals. With Jessica Fishlock and Beverly Yanez who have scored 11 goals between them, Seattle Reign look to be a very strong force.
It'll be a tough, but exciting match between the two teams, especially with the International players returning. We predict Seattle Reign 2-0 Portland Thorns.
Tonight's match kicks off at 10pm ET at Providence Park. Sunday July 26th match kicks off at 7pm ET.
