Rapinoe's Brace Helps OL Reign Beat Portland Thorns 2-1
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.
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 counterattack. She added a second goal on a penalty kick in the 40th minute.
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.