OL Reign “deserves this” — and more

MikeRussellFoto / Sounder at HeartJust before kickoff in OL Reign’s regular-season home opener on May 8, the Royal Guard supporters group unveiled their first tifo at Lumen Field — a beautiful painting of the three “OG” Reign Players, Lauren Barnes, Jess Fishlock, and Megan Rapinoe, standing in front of the arches of Lumen Field along with the words, “We Deserve This.”

Those are the words Rapinoe said after last year’s doubleheader, the Reign’s first-ever match at Lumen Field that set an NWSL attendance record. Pinoe is absolutely right. While Starfire, Memorial, and Cheney Stadiums all served them well — and Tacoma showed up for the Reign the last few years — these world-class players…