Portland Thorns, OL Reign tie after controversial handball

The Portland Thorns and OL Reign played to a 1-1 tie on Wednesday night after a controversial handball kept the Thorns narrowly atop the NWSL table.

Morgan Weaver struck first, putting the Thorns on the board in the third minute to take a 1-0 lead.

Morgan Weaver is built for big moments. #BAONPDX pic.twitter.com/uUD3ReHpLS

— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) October 14, 2021

The score would hold until the 86th minute, when the Thorns’ Angela Salem was called for a handball in the box.

🤷‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/uVaffBhi5V

— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) October 14, 2021

OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe then converted on the penalty kick to tie the game at 1-1.

Who else from the spot but @mPinoe 🤷‍♀️#PORvRGN | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/f4Lp4g0JVw

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 14, 2021

After the game, OL Reign coach Laura Harvey called the call on Angela Salem “harsh,” adding that she’s been on the wrong end of similar calls before.

With the tie, the Thorns remain at first in the NWSL standings with 40 points. They miss the chance to go up by four on the OL Reign, however, who sit in second with 39 points.