The Portland Rain are introducted v. Issaquah SC. Photo by Jeremiah Mitchell Braeback

The Portland Rain (3-2-2, 11pts) knew they had to come out strong and facing the strongest offense and defense in the Northwest Divsion from Issaquah SC (4-1-1, 13pts.) a quick start is exactly what they got with a 7th minute goal from Darcie Gardner (1g, 0a) off a corner kick from Amandra Dutra. After giving up the goal, Issaquah started to pick up the pressure, with much of the play putting Portland on their heels. The Rain were able to hold off the Issaquah attack though, with some solid runs and attempts on goal, but just not able to break through and the first half ended with the Rain up 1-0.

From the onset of the second half, it was clear that Issaquah was not going to take their foot off the gas and in the 53rd minute Stephanie Cummins (1g, 0a) the scored the equalizer off a corner kick. Issaquah didn't let up though, continue to press the Rain's defense and in the 70th minute took the lead on a goal by Shawna Anderson (1g, 1a) after a scrum in front of goal. Portland began to counter the Issaquah attack, with several good runs but were not able to break through. Issaquah scored again in the 75th minute (goalscorer not announced) and after that the Rain through caution to the wind and went completely on the offensive in the last 15 minutes of the match, but were not able to break trough.

NOTES:

• With the victory, Issaquah took possession of first place in the WPSL's Northwest Division with 13 points, with the Rain 2 points behind them at 11 points, pending the results of matches around the league. The Rain have a solid chance to retake first place as they travel to the winless Oregon Rush Sunday.
• Issaquah wins the season series 2-0, with 5 goals scored to Portland's 1.
• The Rain drop to 1-1-1 at home, 2-1-1 on the road.
• Issaquah has a scored 16 goals to 3 allowed, for a goal differential of +13.
• Ellie Boon and Nicole Strong are a solid offensive tandem and really push the defense of their opponents to mark them, with several solid chances stopped by the keeper.
• Keeping in a theme I have observed, the Rain came out solid in the first half, before faltering in the second. In their 3 home games, the have scored 5 goals in the first half and 0 in the second, while allowing 0 goals in the first half and 6 in the second.

The Rain will travel to Bend to face the winless Oregon Rush (0-4-0, 0pts.) on Sunday, before returning home to face Spokane Shine (2-2-2, 8pts.) at Hare Field in Hillsboro on July 8 at 3:00PM in their second doubleheader with the Portland Timbers U23s, who will take on the Kitsap Pumas at 6:00PM. The Rain will then close out the regular season on as they take on Eugene Metro Fubol Club (2-3-0, 6pts.) on July 15 at 3:00PM at Gladstone High School, in a potential doubleheader with the Portland Timbers U23s, pending the results of the PDL playoffs.

I am still in the process of finding out details of the WPSL playoff structure and I will have more on that later.