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OL Reign beat Portland Thorns before NWSL record crowd

Megan Rapinoe scores twice in 2-1 win before 27,248 at Lumen Field

The Columbian
Published: August 29, 2021, 8:08pm
7 Photos
OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe (15) celebrates after she scored a goal against the Portland Thorns during the first half of an NWSL soccer match, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S.
OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe (15) celebrates after she scored a goal against the Portland Thorns during the first half of an NWSL soccer match, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Photo Gallery

SEATTLE (AP) — Megan Rapinoe scored two first-half goals and OL Reign beat the Portland Thorns 2-1 on Sunday in front of an NWSL-record crowd of 27,248 fans.

The matchup between the Northwest rivals was part of a doubleheader with the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers meeting in the nightcap at Lumen Field.

The crowd broke the mark of 25,218 for a 2019 match between the Thorns and North Carolina Courage in Portland.

Those who showed up for the first-time event were treated to an entertaining match and the biggest star on the field coming through for the Reign.

Rapinoe scored in the 16th minute off a pass from Jess Fishlock on a quick counter attack. She added a second goal on a penalty kick in the 40th minute. Rapinoe missed several chances at a possible hat trick, including a wide open header in the 60th minute that went wide of the net.

Fishlock celebrated the victory by emphatically dropping a bouquet of roses on the turf after the final whistle.

Portland’s Angela Salem scored off a free kick in first-half stoppage time for the Thorns’ only goal. OL Reign goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi made a key save on Portland’s Morgan Weaver in the 80th minute to maintain the lead.

Portland had been unbeaten in its previous 10 games.

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