Reign FC take on Angel City in Seattle

Seattle Reign FC 0
Angel City FC 1
October 4, 2024
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Seattle Reign FC hosted Angel City FC on Friday evening in Seattle. Faint playoff hopes was the primary storyline on the field, making three points utterly essential.

Off the field, Angel City was hit this week with a massive penalty for administrative matters pertaining to the salary cap. An in season three point deduction, fines, and penalties to front office personnel had damaged the already fragile playoff hopes for 2024.

The two clubs had played a back and forth 3-2 thriller down the coast only a few weeks ago the Reign held on to win.

Seattle came out with another new starting eleven. Recent signing Ana-Maria Crnogorčević already found herself with the captain arm band. Jaelin Howell and Ainsley McCammon got starts, along with a second start at outside back for Veronica Latsko. Recent roster moves and injuries has meant the REign has yet to have a duplicated starting eleven in back to back matches this season.

Although the early minutes saw the Reign with more possession and chances, it did not take long for Angel City to begin to make headway. Messiah Bright and ALyssa Thompson found some openings, creating some havoc a few times in front of Reign keeper Claudia Dickey. But, the early goal did not come.

The visitors continued to press, maintaining pressure for stretches and the half progressed. A few breaks went the Reign way, but the goal finally came in the 34th minute. M.A. Vignola would slot home the first goal of the match off of a nice layoff pass from Thompson past the sliding Dickey. Two separate first half VAR reviews went the Seattle defense’s way, or penalties would have made it even more daunting.

What little margin the Reign season had was ever more on a thin edge going into the half a goal down. The goal drought of the past several matches was becoming a season ending story. The Reign had managed to claw back into the playoff picture with a seven match unbeaten run just a few weeks ago after the win in Los Angeles, but the run of scoreless matches since has seen those hopes near evaporate.

Seattle would push forward in the second half, but the Angel City defense did well to absorb. A good deal of possession was not turning into clear chances.

With the goal advantage, there was little reason to risk numbers forward. Angel City still looked to counter, bringing on fresh legs in Sydney Leroux up front, but those moves forward were less about numbers and mostly seems to stretch the field and Reign.

Even as Seattle threw everything forward in stoppage time, the clear looks on goal just didn’t come. The visitors managed to team defend and deflect, keeping the Reign from getting clean shots off. A clean sheet was well earned by DiDi Haracic and her defense.

The three points may not be enough for Angel City, especially with the point deduction. The loss is a devastating blow to the Reign season at this point, and now four matches without a goal.

Of note, each club fielded three teenagers in the match. The six ranged in ages from sixteen to nineteen.

BOX

Scoring Summary

SEA: None
LA: Vignola – 34’ (assist: A. Thompson)

Discipline

SEA: Howell (Caution – 88’)
LA: Dougherty Howard (Caution – 85′), Hammond (Caution – 90+5’)

Lineups

SEA: GK Dickey, D McClernon, D Holmes, D Bugg, M Howell, M McCammon (Glas 63’), M Ji, F Latsko (Athens 76’), F Huitema (Mondesir 90’), F King (Adames 64’), F Crnogorčevićc ©
Unused substitutes: GK Ivory, D Barnes, D Lester, M James-Turner, M Mercado

Total Shots: 6 (Crnogorčevićc – 3)
Shots on Goal: 3 (Crnogorčevićc – 1)
Fouls: 9 (Howell – 3)
Offsides: 1
Corner Kicks: 9
Saves: 1 (Dickey – 1)

LA: GK Haracic, D Vignola (Thompson 45’), D Gorden (c), D Reid, D Curry, M Hammond, M Dougherty Howard (Fuller 81’), M Zelem, F Thompson (Press 88’), F Bright (Leroux 64’), F Emslie
Unused substitutes: GK Anderson, D Eddy, D Spencer, M Nabet, M Rodriguez

Total Shots: 11 (Thompson – 3)
Shots on Goal: 2 (Thompson, Vignola – 1)
Fouls: 15 (Curry, Dougherty Howard – 4)
Offsides: 4
Corner Kicks: 8
Saves: 1 (Haracic – 1)

Referee: Matt Thompson
Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Schwartz Assistant Referee 2: Darren Bandy
4th Official: Joshua Madison
VAR: Laura Rodriguez
AVAR: Kali Smith

Reign FC drop points at home to Bay FC

Seattle Reign FC 0
Bay FC 1
September 29, 2024
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Seattle Reign FC hosted Bay FC in Seattle at Lumen Field on a Sunday afternoon.

With few matches and points left to take to make the postseason, both clubs were in must win mode. Dropping any more points at this stage is simply not something that can be made up later. Seattle has absolutely no room for error, coming in five points below the line having dropped all six possible points in recent matches after clawing their way back into it with a seven match unbeaten run. Bay has some wiggle room left as they are in a tight race for the final spot.

For Bay FC, it is the first trip up the coast to Seattle in their expansion season.

Neither side dominated the early going.

Both created chances in a fairly end to end first half. The chances generated mostly came in the form of wide service and corner kicks. Quality chances were rare. Most of the crosses were deflected away and good looks on goal remained scarce.

The opening goal would not come from the run of play. Bay would break through on a penalty in the 27th minute. Asisat Oshoala converted from the spot.

The goal enabled Bay to slow down, taking more time on their counters. The goal also put even more pressure on the Seattle offense. A lack of goals in recent matches had taken the hosts from the cusp of the playoffs to fighting to still have a chance down the stretch.

Jordyn Bugg would come on for an injured Lauren Barnes to begin the second half for the Reign. Unfortunately for Seattle, the penalty had played out while Barnes was off the pitch and the Reign were playing with ten.

Bay FC proved to be able to absorb and counter. The Bay forwards are particularly dangerous on the counter, enabling their middle and back lines to hold shape in transition. With a goal buffer, the steadiness in the back of a veteran defender like Abby Dahlkember and goalkeeper like Katelyn Rowland was a significant factor.

Seattle would push hard for leveling the match. Emeri Adames, Nérilia Mondésir, and Jaelin Howell all came on as the match progressed with fresh legs in the attack. Howell would manage a late crack on goal in stoppage, but in the end it was not to be for the home side.

The three points is massive for Bay’s chances of making the playoffs as an expansion side. Seattle is not yet eliminated, but the loss seems to have sealed their 2024 fate.

BOX

Scoring Summary

SEA: None
BAY: Oshoala (P) – 27’

Discipline

SEA: None
BAY: Dydasco (Caution – 58′)

Lineups

SEA: GK Dickey, D Glas (Holmes 68’), D Barnes (c) (Bugg 46’), D McClernon, M Quinn, M Athens (Howell 86’), M Ji, F Latsko, F Huitema, F King (Adames 68’), F Crnogorčević (Mondesir 79’)
Unused substitutes: GK Ivory, M James-Turner, M McCammon, M Mercado

Total Shots: 13 (Ji – 3)
Shots on Goal: 3 (Three tied with – 1)
Fouls: 4 (Four tied with– 1)
Offsides: 0
Corner Kicks: 8
Saves: 5 (Dickey – 5)

BAY: GK Rowland, D Dydasco, D Menges (c), D Dahlkemper, D Moreau, M Pickett, M Bailey, M Boade (Castellanos 88’), F Hocking (Hill 57’), F Oshoala, F Kundananji
Unused substitutes: D Beattie, M Doms, F Princess, M Shepard, M Conti, D Brewster, GK Silkowitz

Total Shots: 11 (Kundananji, Oshoala– 4)
Shots on Goal: 6 (Kundananji – 3)
Fouls: 9 (Dydasco, Kundananji – 2)
Offsides: 0
Corner Kicks: 4
Saves: 3 (Rowland– 3)

Referee: Elton Garcia
Assistant Referee 1: Jennifer Garner
Assistant Referee 2: A. Max Smith
4th Official: Patricia McCracken
VAR: Alyssa Nichols
AVAR: Joshua Patlak

Photos by Lee Pate

Gotham ends Reign FC unbeaten run 2-0 in Seattle Monday Night

Seattle Reign FC 0
NJ/NY Gotham FC 2
September 16, 2024
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Seattle Reign FC hosted NJ/NY Gotham FC on Monday night at Lumen Field. The hosts had the opportunity going in to extend an unbeaten run in league play to eight and continue an improbable move from the bottom of the table to the playoff line. Gotham was looking to stay solidly in the top tier of the table and home field advantage for at least some of the playoffs.

The visitors brought a number of former Reign players while the roster makeover in Seattle continued this week.

Gotham pressed forward in the early going, trying to put pressure on the retooled Reign line up. The early stages saw the ball mostly in the Seattle defensive half as a result. There were some opportunities and pressure, but limited real chances in that early going even with all the pressure.

The extensive retooling of the Reign line up included the recently acquired Hanna Glas getting the start in place of Sofia Huerta, loaned out to Lyon this week.

Seattle fans welcomed back the returning Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett; two players who had played a huge role in the Reign’s run to the NWSL Championship match in 2023. The early season struggles in Seattle had only highlighted those losses. As the ownership situation finally sorted out and the roster moves have followed, the Reign finally have gotten their collective feet under them in recent matches.

Weathering the early Gotham pressure without conceding meant the match progressed to the middle third still goalless. Using some successful counters, the Reign managed to put the Gotham defense under pressure and create some chances.

Lavelle reminded the home crowd of her brilliance in the 36th minute. Taking the ball in her own half she went on a long run through the Reign defense, cracking a long shot just wide.

Delanie Sheehan would get Gotham on the board in the 41st. Capitalizing on some frantic defense in the Reign penalty area, Sheehan would slot a left footed shot to the near post past Reign keeper Claudia Dickey. The goal would carry into the interval.

The Gotham attack was active throughout the first half. But, their defense was excellent in holding shape and not allowing for many easy looks on goal. Keeper Ann-Katrin Berger was active and in control of her defense and appeared to be in sync with the central defenders Sonnett and Tierna Davidson. Even as Seattle came out pressing to begin the second half, the Gotham defense was disciplined and resilient.

With Seattle pressing to equalize, the Gothem counter became even more dangerous. The flow of play became more end to end as a result, only becoming more pronounced as the match progressed and the scoreline remained unchanged. Lavelle would nearly double the lead in the 68th with a long left footed blast that tested Dickey.

Fresh legs up front for Seattle meant a more direct approach in parts as the minutes wound down. Haitian Nerilia Mondesir and Veronica Latsko became running targets.

However, the second goal would come as an Esther Gonzalez shot would handcuff Dickey, causing a bobble into the net and a two goal margin in the 85th minute.

Although the hosts would still press to get one back, in the end it was not enough. Gotham heads back East with the 2-0 victory.

Gotham grabbed three points to jump them over Kansas CIty into third in the table.

The seven match unbeaten run comes to an end for Seattle. They have made a move up the table, but points are at a premium and there is not a lot of time left in 2024 to make the playoffs.

Photos by Lee Pate

Reign grab three huge points over Courage on Pinoe’s night

Seattle Reign FC 1
North Carolina Courage 0
August 25, 2024
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

The Seattle Reign FC hosted North Carolina Courage on Megan Rapinoe jersey number retirement night at Lumen Field on Sunday night. Rapinoe’s 15 was retired and the city of Seattle had been host to a number of events and tributes over the weekend, culminating in the ceremony Sunday evening at the match.

The final stretch of the season has a sense of urgency for the Reign, as they enter the match bottom of the table. With a ten match run in, there is still time to get hot and make up a few games and get to the final playoff spot, but there is no real margin for error at this point for a club that was in the championship match last year and won the shield the year prior.

North Carolina entered the international break playing well and are above the playoff line, so continuing to play as they have been and finish strong will set them up for a shot at a title match.

The hosts made several roster moves in recent days; including trading away Bethany Balcer and bringing in two internationals and Jaelin Howell.

Right out of the gate it looked like the Courage were going to take it to the Reign, pushing and nearly breaking through in the opening minutes. Seattle would weather the early storm, getting a few looks themselves. In the 14th minute North Carolina broke through behind the Reign defense but was unable to convert. This early end to end pace would be the way of things throughout much of the half. Carolina especially seemed to be pushing up their right flank, challenging the left side of the Reign defense.

As Carolina continued their pressure, the Seattle defense continued to bend and hold their shape. The Reign took a few counter opportunities forward as the half progressed, finding opportunities on goal few to come by. With the exception of some chances on corners, the Courage defense also held their ground.

Jessica Fishlock nearly broke open the scoring near the end of the first half. After getting on the end of a through ball the shot was smothered by Courage keeper Casey Murphy.

The half would end goalless.

The Courage continued to have the better of possession, but both clubs came out in the early stages of the second half with their metaphorical foot on the gas. It looked like the Reign were going to break through, but much as the story of 2024 has been, the opportunities were stopped or went over the bar. Murphy smothered what looked like a certain goal in the 58th minute as Tziarra King put in from close range to no avail.

Howell would come on in the 74th with Nérilia Mondésir to make their Reign debuts With Ana-Maria Crnogorčević in the starting eleven, all three new additions found the field Sunday evening.

There was a spark in the Reign offense as the match wound down, but Murphy continued to be difficult to get past. The Courage found the possession balance shift in the final minutes, as the Reign could not afford to simply settle for a draw and a point and put on a late push.

The stoppage time winner would come six minutes into stoppage time. Emeri Adames would sneak a header past Murphy, a cathartic moment for the Reign. The official ruling is own goal on Murphy as the ball spun off the post into her and into the goal.

A festive night and a crowd of 16,598 was loud and raucous throughout the celebratory evening. The crowd would go home after witnessing an exciting match and three potentially season saving points.

The match was also the 100th regular season win for Laura Harvey, the first coach to reach that milestone in the NWSL.

Lee Pate Photos

BOX

NCC (4-3-3): Casey Murphy; Dani Weatherholt, Malia Berkely, Kaleigh Kurtz, Ryan Williams; Denise O’Sullivan ©, Narumi Miura, Ashley Sanchez (Victoria Pickett – 77’); Tyler Lussi (Olivia Wingate – 63’), Cortnee Vine (Meredith Speck – 87′), Manaka Matsukubo (Riley Jackson – 87′)
Subs Not Used: Marisa Bova, Haley Hopkins, Brianna Pinto, Felicitas Rauch, Charlotte McLean

SEA (4-3-3): Claudia Dickey, Shae Holmes, Phoebe McClernon, Jordyn Bugg, Sofia Huerta, Ji So-Yun (Olivia Athens – 89′), Jess Fishlock (Jaelin Howell – 75’), Quinn, Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic (Nérilia Mondésir – 75’), Jordyn Huitema (Emeri Adams – 89′), Tziarra King (Veronica Latsko – 66’)
Subs Not Used: Angharad James-Turner, Julia Lester, Ainsley Mccammon

Score:
NCC: 0
SEA: 1

Goals:
NCC: –
SEA: C. Murphy – 90+7′ (OG)

Yellow/Red:
NCC: –
SEA: –

Attendance: 16,598

Reign Summer Cup home group phase match reports

MATCH DAY 1

Seattle Reign FC 2
Utah Royals FC 1
July 19, 2024
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL X LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup

The first NWSL X LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup kicked off for Seattle and Utah on Friday night. The two clubs find themselves at or near the bottom of the table going into the Olympic break, the Summer Cup possibly providing an opportunity to take a crack at a trophy in 2024.

With internationals not available or just returning from duty, it is also an opportunity for many in each squad to grab some playing time.

Utah’s return to NWSL play has been a slow start, already resulting in a coaching change.

Reign FC have had a rough 2024, but are looking for a late season run in. In both 2022 and 2023 late season shifts in form led to a Shield and a championship appearance.

Both sides came out with pressure, pushing for an early goal or to create a mistake. As a result, the early stages was a pretty wide open field.

The hosts managed a set piece header just a few minutes in. The visitors forced Reign keeper Laurel Ivory into a tricky save in the 13th amidst a period of pressure.

Cup matches with squad rotation often provide a glimpse into possible futures of clubs. For Seattle, the mix of rotation regulars also included a look at Maddie Mercado, Sam Meza, and Julia Lester. Rookie Emeri Adames was provided an opportunity to start, a long with McKenzie Weinert on the front line.

The two sides had recently played to a 1-1 draw in Seattle just before the international break. The two starting elevens that took the field for the cup match looked nothing like those line ups.

The flow of play in the first half was fairly open and end to end, but not the sometimes near frantic like pace and pressure of league matches. Both found a few opportunities, but the defenses held as the first half progressed.

Olivia Athens would open the scoring in the 43rd minute, converting from the spot from a foul on Weinert. The goal would not carry into the interval. Utah forward Paige Monaghan nearly had leveled in stoppage time on a counter, but the Reign defense held, to hold the one nil scoreline.

Moments later however, the match would be leveled when Cameron Tucker was left open on the far post and blasted a volley past Ivory.

The open play and pressing continued into the second half. Both sides continued to create the odd chance, but neither keeper was especially tested.

in the 77th minute Sofia Huerta would get a head on a far post cross from Tziarra King, nabbing the second goal and putting the Reign back in the lead 2-1. Seattle has moved towards not merely overlapping with their outside backs, but in pushing them up into midfield wings on transition as 2024 has progressed. The eventual game winner was an example of how that approach pushes their forwards up higher, a move which bought King the time to set up the goal and Huerta the space to get to the far post.

The Royals would push for the late equalizer, creating a number of chances in the waining minutes.

The 2-1 margin gives Seattle the early advantage in the group phase of the Summer Cup.

Ainsley McCammon would debut in the 90th minute for the Reign, her signing having been announced earlier in the day with Jordyn Bugg.

BOX

Scoring Summary
SEA: Athens – 43’, Huerta – 76′
UTA: Tucker – 45+5’

Discipline
SEA: Stanton (Caution – 50′), Meza (Caution – 63′)
UTA: Betfort (Caution – 75′)

Lineups

SEA: GK Ivory, D Holmes, D Brown (Huerta 46’), D McClernon, D Lester, M Stanton, M Athens (McCammon 90’), M Mercado (Meza 57’), F Adames (King 65’), F Weinert (Balcer 65’), F Latsko Unused substitutes: GK Dickey, D Perez, D Bugg, D Cook

Total Shots: 9 (Balcer, Weinert – 2)
Shots on Goal: 4 (Four tied with – 1)
Fouls: 8 (Weinert – 3)
Offsides: 0
Corner Kicks: 6
Saves: 2 (Ivory – 2)

UTA: GK Roque, D Del Fava (Merrick 46’), D Tejada, D Burns, D Pogarch (O’Brien 88’), D Riehl, M Foederer (Boren 86’), F Mozingo, F Monaghan (c) (Murison 86’), F Tucker, F BetfortUnused substitutes: GK Haught, D Smith-Griffitts, M Nyberg, F Vasconcelos

Total Shots: 11 (Monaghan, Pogarch – 3)
Shots on Goal: 3 (Three tied with – 1)
Fouls: 12 (Tejada – 4)
Offsides: 3
Corner Kicks: 6
Saves: 2 (Roque – 2)

Referee: Elijio Arreguin
Assistant Referee 1: Elijio Arreguin
Assistant Referee 2: Eric Krueger
4th Official: Dion Coxe-Trieger

*****

MATCH DAY 2

Seattle Reign FC 2
Club Tijuana 3
July 28, 2024
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL X LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup

Club Tijuana visited Seattle on Sunday afternoon for a Summer Cup match with Seattle Reign FC. The group phase match was the second for both sides, with a chance for Seattle to take hold of the top of the table on the line.

Tijuana took it right at the hosts.  A quick exchange and a nice touch by Aisha Solorzano with Reign keeper Laurel Ivory out of her box put the guests up one nil in the second minute.

The early goal immediately upped the pace of the match and gave the visitors a boost.  They nearly doubled their lead a few minutes later but the post saved the Reign from a tough early deficit.

Seattle began to get their feet under them, creating some chances and getting McKenzie Weinert through on a number of occasions, but the goalpost also helped Tijuana in the 21st minute, preserving the early lead.

As the opening half progressed, the bulk of the play would move more into the Tijuana half. The Reign would begin to assert themselves, creating more and more chances, but not breaking through the level the match.

Solorzano would double the lead for Tijuana in the 40th minute, somehow getting clear of the Reign defense and drilling a low shot from top of the box past Ivory. The Guatemalan had only had a few chances and touches in the first half, but had made the most of it with two excellent touches for a first half brace.

Coming off a five goal loss to Portland, Tijuana found themselves up by two at the half in Seattle

Seattle came out of the break on their front foot, needing to grab the next goal.

Emeri Adames would in fact cut the lead in the 47th minute, finding her way through a number of defenders and launching a left footed blast just under the bar from the top of the box. Much as both of Tijuana’s goals had been moments of excellent touch, Adames’ goal was a moment of class.

Maddie Mercado would get her first professional goal in the 63rd minute, leveling the match at two. Mercado’s goal was a case of following up a play and making the most of a one touch opportunity.

With the match level, a number of Reign regulars came on with about 25 minutes to grab a winner.

Solorzano would complete her hat trick instead, grabbing the lead back for Tiuana in the 84th minute with a left footed near post blast. 

Squad rotation for the Reign was in full effect. Jordyn Bugg made her debut.  Sam Meza got her first start.  Alana Cook is now with KC and no longer with the club.  Laurel Ivory was captain.

Seattle would throw everything forward in the waining minutes and stoppage time. A number of late chances just did not convert into goals.

The 3-2 margin is a big win for Club Tijuana, especially after conceding the lead to grab the late winner.

Squad rotation for the Reign was in full effect. Jordyn Bugg made her debut.  Sam Meza got her first start.  Alana Cook is now with KC and no longer with the club.  Laurel Ivory was captain.

BOX

Scoring Summary

SEA: Adames – 47’, Mercado – 62′
TIJ: Solórzano – 2’, 40’, 84’

Discipline

SEA: James-Turner (Caution – 69′)
TIJ: Pelayo (Caution – 89’)

Lineups

SEA: GK Ivory (C), D Bugg, D Woodham, D Lester, M Stanton (Huerta 46’), M Meza (Ji 67’), M Athens, M Mercado (Latsko 67’), M James-Turner, F Adames (King 87’), F Weinert (Balcer 67’)
Unused substitutes: GK Perez, D McClernon, D Holmes, M McCammon

Total Shots: 17 (Adames – 5)
Shots on Goal: 9 (Adames – 4)
Fouls: 7 (Seven tied with – 1)
Offsides: 3
Corner Kicks: 11
Saves: 1 (Ivory – 1)

TIJ: GK Gonzalez, D Diaz, D Martinez (Villalobos 77’), D Alvarado, D Fong, M Herrera (Fernandez 68’), M Pelayo, M Martinez (Cox 68’), M Hernandez (C) (Izaguirre 77’), F Marroquin (Espinosa 62’), F Solorzano
Unused substitutes: F Carrandi, F Munguia, D Mora, GK Gutierrez

Total Shots: 6 (Solorzano – 4)
Shots on Goal: 4 (Solorzano – 4)
Fouls: 13 (Pelayo – 5)
Offsides: 2
Corner Kicks: 0
Saves: 7 (Gonzalez – 7)

Referee: Jaclyn Metz
Assistant Referee 1: Sharon Gingrich
Assistant Referee 2: Melissa Beck
4th Official: Kelsey Harms

Reign v Tijuana Photos by Lee Pate


Reign and Royals split needed points in Seattle

Seattle Reign FC 1
Utah Royals FC 1
July 7, 2024
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Reign FC and Utah Royals met Sunday afternoon in Seattle in the final regular season NWSL matchday prior to the Olympic break. Both clubs find themselves looking up from the bottom of the table, but a little run of a few matches could jump a side up near that playoff line.  Three points was essential.

The Utah return to NWSL play has been a rough start, with a coaching change in the middle of this first season. Jimmy Coenraets will serve as interim head coach for the Royals.

Seattle finally caught a break nabbing a late point from a stoppage time ownb goal last week at Gotham FC. Many more breaks are needed to claw back up the table. Late season runs have been a thing for the Reign in recent seasons.

The first half was a hard hitting affair. Both sides contested loose balls and passes with the intensity of teams that needed the result.

Seattle was able to get in front of the Utah goal a number of times in the early stages, but the Royals were defending well in numbers. Pushing the ball up either flank with overlapping outside backs, the Reign were getting the ball into the dangerous places.  Utah managed to congest the front of their goal and converged, blocking lanes.

The attacks were creating chances, but few really good looks on goal for either side as the half wound down. Bethany Balcer saw a good chance go wide in the 36th minute. Utah hit the crossbar from range after a bad Reign giveaway in stoppage time.

The match would go into the half level and scoreless.

VAR would come into play early in the 2nd half. Seattle would find the back of the net, but in the sequence leading in there was a collision in front of the goal with the Utah keeper. The review would pull the goal back and leave the match goalless.

Much of what was happening in the first half continued well into the second.  Each team was moving the ball, sometimes getting it into dangerous positions, but ultimately unable to get many good clear chances in front of the goal before team defending mucked up the works.

On the artificial surface in the unusual Seattle heat, the subs came on in waves, both coaches trying to get fresh legs on. Even so, the pressing by both teams continued, but the field seemed more spread.  Under these conditions it was not a surprise when a giveaway in the defense led to a goal.

Ally Sentnor would take her chance and get Utah their goal in the 67th minute, gaining possession in the Seattle third and managing to hold off defenders and getting the ball past Reign keeper Claudia Dickey.

Seattle would get their goal in the 75th minute to bring matters level. Veronica Latsko would get in behind the Utah defense and left foot a volley home. The goal brought the energy back to both sides in the sweltering conditions, breathing life back into the pressing.

Points have been at a premium for both Seattle and Utah in 2024. Even though one point would be something, both really needed three.  Play would get more and more direct in the waining minutes and stoppage time, with both taking risks forward, but with fewer numbers.

This was a match where the team defenses ultimately clogged up the chances enough to keep the score low.  Each side grabbed a goal and therefore a point, but in the end it isn’t what either club needs to push up the table this season.

The clubs and the league now enter the Olympic break with the draw. After a brief respite, the same two teams square off in two weeks in Seattle in the NWSL X Liga MX Femenil Cup on July 19th.

BOX

Scoring Summary

SEA: Latsko – 75’
UTA: Sentnor – 67’

Discipline

SEA: None
UTA: None

Lineups

SEA: GK Dickey, D Huerta, D Brown (Holmes 59’), D McClernon, D Cook, M Fishlock (c) (James-Turner 59’), M Quinn (Athens 90+1’), M Ji, F King (Adames 90+1’), F Balcer (Latsko 64’), F Huitema Unused substitutes: GK Ivory, D Woodham, M Mercado, M Stanton

Total Shots: 20 (King, Latsko – 4)
Shots on Goal: 6 (King – 3)
Fouls: 4 (Four tied with– 1)
Offsides: 4
Corner Kicks: 5
Saves: 7 (Dickey – 7)

UTA: GK Haught, D Del Fava, D Burns, D Pogarch, M Foederer, M Nyberg (Flynn 46’ (Merrick 8`’)), F Mozingo, F Monaghan (c) (Tucker 81’), F Sentnor, F Betfort (Onumonu 77’)Unused substitutes: GK Roque, M Gray, D Riehl

Shots: 15 (Sentnor – 7)
Shots on Goal: 7 (Sentnor – 7)
Fouls: 8 (Betfort, Tejada – 2)
Offsides: 2
Corner Kicks: 2
Saves: 5 (Haught – 5)

Referee: Matt Thompson
Assistant Referee 1: Darren Bandy
Assistant Referee 2: Matt Trotter
4th Official: Kelsey Harms
VAR: Alexandra Billeter
AVAR: Kaili Terry

Lee Pate Photos


Reign host Louisville needing points

Seattle Reign FC 1
Racing Louisville FC 1
June 23, 2024
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Seattle Reign FC hosted Racing Louisville FC on Sunday afternoon in Seattle as the second half of the NWSL season began. Seattle comes in having only secured eight points in the first thirteen matches and in desperate need of answers as much as points. Louisville has fifteen points and is just in the cluster of teams at the playoff line. Racing Louisvulle FC is coached by long time Reign FC player Bev Yanez.

It did not take long for the match to get interesting. Louisville’s Arin Wright was sent off after VAR review for taking down Reign forward Jordyn Huitema in the box. The ensuing penalty was taken and converted by Bethany Balcer for an early home side one nil lead.

With Louisville playing with ten and Seattle with an early lead, both sides took the time to set the tone as best they could. The Reign would find much of the possession and attack, but as the half moved along they did not find a second goal.

The hosts would press their advantage, pushing hard for the second goal. Louisville was weathering the pressure, but it was keeping them on the heels and minimizing their own opportunities forward. Tziarra King and Ji So-Yun would find opportunities thwarted by the Racing defense and keeper Katie Lund.

Taylor Flint would need to come off before the half after a flying collision with Reign keeper Claudia Dickey, adding to the first half difficulties for the visitors.

The single goal from the early penalty would carry the match into halftime.

Louisville would look to try and level in the early stages of the second half. Coming out of the gate and pressing, getting a few good looks on goal. The single goal margin stayed in place well into the second half as the two sides began to use the bulk of their substitutions. Seattle would create chances, but the one nil scoreline kept the tension on the pitch and the chance of nabbing at least a point within reach for the visitors.

The Reign continued to create chances, but the lack of a second goal into the final stretch of the match would bring more import to each possession and transition.

Louisville handled their early hardships well, staying in the match with patient team defense and picking their spots.

Late in stoppage time Louisville would take chances forward. Keeper Lund would come forward and take a long cross, with teammates getting on the end of it and Reilin Turner poking it home to bring the match level. Nabbing a road point under the circumstances was an amazing finish for Racing and meant the home Reign would not grab the three points they really needed and seemed to have in their grasp.

Photos by Lee Pate


Reign FC sale finally complete

Seattle Reign FC has officially announced the sale of the club to a group including Seattle Sounders FC ownership and global investment group Carlyle.

The transaction completion brings to an end one era and begins another.  However, the ownership sale has been long acknowledged as in progress and today’s announcement finally gives players, supporters, and the city a chance to move forward.

The group includes Carlyle’s Head of Private Credit, Alex Popov along with Sounders FC Owner Adrian Hanauer.  Maya Mendoza-Exstrom will be Chief Business Officer and joins General Manager Lesle Gallimore and Head Coach Laura Harvey as the women led leadership team.

Cascadia NWSL Derby Turns 40

Seattle Reign FC 0
Portland Thorns FC 0
June 16, 2024
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

When the NWSL began in 2013 there was hope amongst supporters and the Cascadia clubs that the regional rivalry could become something more than merely regional.  In over a decade both clubs have won trophies, played dramatic matches, and seen the rivalry actually develop across multiple competitions.  The Sunday match in Seattle is the 40th match between the two sides and a real rivalry has emerged. Both rosters have had long tenured players and coaches embrace the rivalry.  Traveling supporters have added atmosphere to matches.  The games have had consequences. Just over a month ago, the Thorns dropped four on the visiting Reign in Providence Park in a match that went sideways for the Reign late.

Since the match in Portland, the Thorns have maintained their spots near the top of the table. The hosts Reign have seen their usually stingy defense suddenly giving up goals in bunches and a season looking like it could slip away. Sophia Smith would not be available due to a red card suspension.  Sam Coffey, Olivia Moultrie, and Morgan Weaver were also out for the Thorns due to injury, while the Reign came in reasonably healthy. Claudia Dickey returned from injury in goal for the Reign, getting her first start in several weeks.

The Cascadia derbies have often been intense and physical affairs.  The level of intensity matching the level of the rivalry as it has grown.  It did not take long for the intensity to manifest in the form of a yellow card.  The first booking came a mere three minutes in to Portland’s Janine Beckie for a foul on Reign midfielder Jessica Fishlock. 

The first half would play out in waves of pressure. The early stages seemed as though both sides were poking and prodding, looking for any advantage that did not come.  As the middle of the half progressed, the hosts seemed to have the better of the ball and possession, but the Thorns counter was dangerous.

Eventually, both would get some good looks and set pieces, creating moments of danger in front of both goals.  Neither would break through.  Late in the half it appeared as though the Reign might grab a first goal, but the Portland defense handled Jordyn Huitema getting in behind.  The first half would end goalless.

Coming out of the interval the intensity ramped up.  Only a few minutes into the half and Reign defender Ryanne Brown would be booked for a foul on Christine Sinclair.  The physical play continued with several hard fouls causing a number of stoppages.

Seattle would find some good chances on goal in the middle third, but chips from Brown and a shot from Bethany Balcer  would go high.

Portland did not hold back attacking, even with so many injuries, but their forays forward tended towards counters and the defense stayed home.

The final stages of the match was a continuation of the pressure and physical intensity that had been the story of the match. All the stoppages led to significant added time, giving both clubs a chance to throw forward a few more attacks.

The goalless draw at least was a point for the Reign and clean sheet, given the 15 goals they had conceded over the previous four matches.  The single point for Portalnd was a well deserved grinded out road point given the circumstances.

The home side might rue the draw, given several really dangerous chances, but the point was their first since a similarly hard fought goalless home draw with Kansas City in May.

With this draw, the NWSL Cascadia derby has now run 40 matches.

Photos by Lee Pate


Reign drop points at home against Orlando on Sunday afternoon

Seattle Reign FC 2
Orlando Pride 3
May 19, 2024
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Unbeaten Orlando Pride made the long trek cross country to Seattle to face the host Reign FC on a Sunday afternoon. Seattle finds itself in the unusual position of looking up from the bottom of the table. Meanwhile, the Pride has leveraged a stingy defense into a spot up near the top.

Three points would do wonders for the Seattle place in the standings, potentially moving them up several spots in the congested table. Those same three points could start to give the Pride some separation as the table begins to stretch out into the midseason.

Seattle would need to shake off a difficult loss to Cascadia rivals last weekend away at Portland.

The early stages were a little less end to end than recent matches. But, in just the ninth minute Orlando would open the scoring with a long range shot from Emily Sams left foot past the lunging Laurel Ivory.

With the early goal, Orlando was able to pick their spots. As the Reign began to press forward looking for the equalizer, the Pride would grab a second goal in the 18th minute when Barbra Banda would get a header from close range.

Seattle would try and rally. In a season that has been a struggle, going down two early at home is not what Reign players or fans are used to. For a club traveling cross country, the Pride found itself in ideal circumstances as the middle of the first half approached. Tziarra King would nearly grab one back in that middle phase of the half, but her long range crack was handled. Kylie Strom looked to have made it three nil in the 32nd minute on a header from a set piece that took an interesting bounce, but VAR would rule it offside and giving the home side a lifeline.

The VAR lifeline brought some life back to the hosts, as they pressured the Pride defense and created a number of chances as the half wound down. But, this is the Reign 2024 so far in a nutshell; some good sequences and pace, chances in front of the opposing goal, and then they find themselves somehow behind and playing catch up.

The break Seattle needed would come late in first half stoppage time. Ji So-Yun would lay off a ball to Angharad James-Turner and James-Turner would bring the match back to a one goal margin. A bit of a deflection would help, but it was the sort of break the Reign have not been getting.

The breaks would continue for Seattle, as Bethany Balcer would level the match shortly after the restart in the 48th minute. From two goals down just before the break to level just after brought the Seattle crowd to life.

The Pride continued to do what had worked so well in the early stages of the match and for the season so far and showed no panic. Orlando has proven to be a stingy defense, but their counter down the wing continued to create dangerous situations. The Pride moved the ball about well, holding possession for stretches and looking for their spots.

The match would not remain level for long. The visitors were dangerous on set pieces and grabbed the lead back in the 59th minute as Banda would grab her 2nd of the match off a corner.

Orlando would see out the match and grab the three points, maintaining their unbeaten 2024 season through ten matches. With 24 points they sit two points clear at the top.

It was another heartbreaker for the Reign. At the very least it appeared they had grabbed a gritty point when they leveled, but it was not to be.

Late in the match more cards would emerge as the physical play intensified and some frustrations came to a head. Cook would see yellow in the 76th and Balcer would be sent off in the 84th with a second yellow for dissent after a first half yellow in stoppage time.

BOX

Weather: 63, partly sunny

Scoring Summary

SEA: James-Turner – 45+5′, Balcer – 48′
ORL: Sams – 9′, Banda – 18′, 58’

Discipline

SEA: Balcer (Caution – 45+1’, Second yellow – 83′), Cook (Caution – 76′)
ORL: Doyle (Caution – 90+4’), Allen (Caution – 90+8’)

Lineups

SEA: GK Ivory, D Huerta, D Barnes (c) (Holmes 46’), D Cook, D McClernon, M Fishlock, M Van der Jagt (Latsko 67’), M Ji (Weinert 87’), M James-Turner (Athens 83’) F Balcer, F King (Adames 83’)
Unused substitutes: GK Perez, D Brown, D Woodham, M Stanton

Total Shots: 15 (Three tied with – 13
Shots on Goal: 6 (Balcer, James-Turner – 2)
Fouls: 14 (Three tied with– 3)
Offsides: 2
Corner Kicks: 2
Saves: 1 (Ivory – 1)

ORL: GK Moorhouse, D McCutheon, D Sams, D Souza, D Strom, M Abello, M Lemos (Watt 78’), M Yates (Doyle 46’), F Adriana (Dyke 63’), F Banda (Allen 90+2’), F Marta (c) (Martinez 78’)
Unused substitutes: GK Crone, M Duljan, F Kerr, D Lawrence

Total Shots: 8 (Banda, Marta 3)
Shots on Goal: 4 (Banda– 2)
Fouls: 8 (Eight tied with – 1)
Offsides: 1
Corner Kicks: 4
Saves: 4 (Moorhouse – 4)

Referee: Elijio Arreguin
Assistant Referee 1: Seth Martin
Assistant Referee 2: Salma Perez
4th Official: Iryna Petrunok
VAR: Shawn Tehini
AVAR: Kaili Terry

Photos by Lee Pate