Portland extended its perfect 2026 NWSL season start on Friday, when the Thorns took down rival Seattle Reign 2-0 despite tallying two red cards to close out the game with just nine players.
First, Portland midfielder Cassandra Bogere received two yellow cards in quick succession shortly into the first half, with forward Pietra Tordin’s header putting the shorthanded Thorns up 1-0 in the 28th minute.
Fellow attacker Reilyn Turner doubled Portland’s lead before halftime, with defender Reyna Reyes later earning a straight red in the 57th minute — the first two red cards shown in Cascadia Rivalry history.
Coming off a tough travel week that required an emergency charter flight, the Reign couldn’t catch a break despite their personnel advantages.
“When you’re fatigued, the first thing that goes is your brain,” said Seattle head coach Laura Harvey.
Red cards abound in early NWSL season
NWSL officials have been seeing red in abundance across the season’s the first two matchdays, with six players sent off in 2026 thus far.
After expansion sides Boston and Denver opened their NWSL careers with a red card each in their inaugural contests, veteran NWSL clubs added a full four of their own, with late send-offs from Bay FC and the Utah Royals joining Portland’s pair over the weekend.
Whether in response to past criticism of league officiating or the NWSL’s implementation of new technology like RefCam in both matches and referee training, roster deductions are clearly on the rise: In just two weekends of play, the NWSL is already more than halfway to matching the league’s 2025 season total of 11 red cards.
Should the trend continue, match strategies could shift, as teams weigh tactics against an increased threat of losing numbers on the pitch.
What’s next for the Portland Thorns and Seattle Reign
Both Seattle and Portland are back in action on Wednesday, with the Reign hosting the Kansas City Current at 9 PM ET on NWSL+ before the Thorns visit the San Diego Wave at 10 PM ET, airing live on CBS Sports.