Its great being home!
It's great being home! Photo credit Portland Thorns FC

The Thorns fell 1-0 to the Seattle Reign on Friday night at Providence Park. FISTS THROUGH SHEETROCK! I thought FOR SURE the Thorns would have the upper hand with Reign staples like Megan Rapinoe still in France and Jess Fishlock out with a knee injury. But I guess, just like the Thorns, others step up when the stars are out—and boy oh boy did the Reign outshine the Thorns last night.

WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?
Something just felt off the whole night, both on the field and in the stands. It was terrific to have familiar Thorns favorites like Christine Sinclair, Haley Raso, and Andressina back from World Cup action in France, but similar to when you have a party and mix friends from different parts of your life—there was a lack of flow. Overall the Thorns looked fine. The defense was cutting and quick and the forwards were ready to rock, but transitioning the ball to the front of the field proved difficult and choppy. Everyone was on the same page and knew the game plan, but parts of the team were moving at a different pace and, in the end, they were outplayed. WHERE'D THE CHEMISTRY GO?

Its great to have Thorns captain Christine SInclair back on Portland turf.
It's great to have Thorn's captain Christine SInclair back on Portland turf. Photo credit Portland Thorns FC

GAME TIME
I may be a little spoiled with all of the quick scoring in the World Cup because the first half was a bit of a dragger for me. The Thorns were only just settling in and getting comfortable in the 37th minute when Thorn’s defender Gabby Seiler received a ball at the top of the box from Christine Sinclair and shot a rocket of a ball just wide of the goal. SHEESH, THAT WAS CLOSE!

The 44th minute saw another Portland chance when Ellie Carpenter made a quick pass close to the goal to Caitlin Foord. But Foord couldn’t get it past Seattle’s keeper in the end. DAG BLASTED, FOILED AGAIN!


Second halves can be very different for the Thorns. We’ve seen this team return from the locker room with an adjusted plan to outsmart and outplay their opponents. GOONIES NEVER SAY DIE! However, it only took the Reign 10 minutes into the second half to score the only goal of the match—and suck all of the air out of Providence Park. After Seattle took a free kick near the box, the ball was deflected, rebounded by the Reign then bolted through the chaos and into the goal. CHECK THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SHOES, 'CAUSE THIS STINKS!

The remainder of the game went similarly. Even with some significant substitutions that increased intensity and speed, the Thorns just could not put the ball in the back of the net for a goal.

Simone Charley charged the second half with everything she had when she subbed in.
Simone Charley charged the second half with everything she had when she subbed in. Photo credit Portland Thorns FC

THE BRIGHT SIDE
There were still 19,116 people packed into Providence Park—and that’s with half our friends still eating baguettes and complaining about how hot it is in France. WE GET IT GUYS. I love how the World Cup creates new NWSL fans!
Sure, losing to the Reign stings and sucks, but the Thorns are still looking pretty good as the third team in the standings with 19 points. It's not like we're rooting for a team with only two points or something. In other words, at least we aren’t in New Jersey—OUCHY MAMA!

And the brightest side is there's still soccer to be watched this weekend. Set your alarms and make a plan to catch our United States Women’s National Team play to win their fourth World Cup Championship. Sunday at 8 am Pacific Time.

Another beautiful night at Providence Park.
Another beautiful night at Providence Park. Photo credit Portland Thorns FC

COMING UP
The next Thorns game is Sunday, July 14 at Providence Park. You can grab some tickets here or watch it on ESPN News. WHAT, ESPN? YES, ESPN LIKE A REAL PROFESSIONAL GAME ON ESPN. You can find me there and follow me on Twitter at @erinjeanius

They didnt come here to make friends but, well, you know.
They didn't come here to make friends but, well, you know. Photo credit Portland Thorns FC