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Reign host Gotham in NWSL 2025 opener

Seattle Reign FC 1
NJ/NY Gotham FC 1
March 15, 2025
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Lee Pate Photos

Seattle Reign FC hosted Gotham FC on Saturday night at Lumen Field in the 2025 NWSL opener for both clubs.

Host Seattle is ready to put a frustrating 2024 in the rear view mirror. A return to the postseason is the objective for 2025, as the club continues to work in a wave of young talent with the core of veterans. The home debut of the major offseason acquisition of Lynn Biyendolo would have to wait.

The visitors from New York have seen a number of high profile players depart the club over the offseason. Getting a cross country trip out of the way early can be a good thing. Starting the campaign with Rose Lavelle and Midge Purce both out could be interesting.

A downpour unlike the usual Seattle drizzle made for interesting early going.

The first half was a back and forth affair. Each side had moments of play where things rolled together and chances were created. However, both also looked at times like teams in search of their footing in an opener.

A few decent sequences led to a few chances, but real danger was not created in the first half hour.

The match went into the half level and goalless, matching the weather and play.

Gotham would open the scoring early in the second half. In the 47th minute, Gabi Portilho would get the visitors on the board with a long shot from the top of the box that took a mild deflection.

A number of yellow cards were issued late in the first and the early second half as the match got more physical.

Matters would go level in the 71st minute. Reign wing Emeri Adames would manage to poke in a goal amidst a goal mouth scramble. Adames had only entered the match a few minutes earlier, bringing a surge of energy to the Seattle attack.

Gotham would face additional challenges in the waining minutes when Mandy Freeman would be sent off for a hard foul on Reign forward Nérilia Mondesir after a VAR review.

The level scoreline would hold up through an extended stoppage time. Splitting the points from a physical game in poor weather was not a terrible result for either side.

Seattle coach Laura Harvey reflected that this was a match they would have found a way to lose last year. Both clubs showed resiliency given the circumstances.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

NJ/NY – Gabi Portilho 47’
SEA – Emeri Adames 71’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

NJ/NY – Gabi Portilho (caution) 38’
SEA – Jordyn Huitema (caution) 42’
SEA – Jordyn Bugg (caution) 52’
NJ/NY – Sarah Schupansky (caution) 66’
NJ/NY – Jaelin Howell (caution) 74’
NJ/NY – Mandy Freeman (ejection) 87’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Phoebe McClernon, Jordyn Bugg, Madison Curry, Shae Holmes; Angharad James-Turner (Maddie Mercado 69’); Jess Fishlock (c), Ji So-Yun (Sam Meza 90’); Maddie Dahlien (Emeri Adames 69′), Ana-Maria Crnogorčević (Nérilia Mondesir 58’), Jordyn Huitema
Substitutes not used: Cassie Miller, Lauren Barnes, Emily Mason, Ainsley McCammon

Total shots: 7
Shots on goal: 1
Fouls: 14
Offside: 1
Corner-Kicks: 3
Saves: 3

NJ/NY Gotham FC – Ann-Katrin Berger; Jess Carter, Tierna Davidson (c), Emily Sonnett, Mandy Freeman; Nealy Martin, Sarah Schupansky (Lilly Reale 90′), Jaelin Howell; Ella Stevens, Gabi Portilho (Cece Kizer 73’), Esther González (Mckenna Whitham 90+3′)
Substitutes not used: Shelby Hogan, Taryn Torres, Ryan Campbell, Khyah Harper, Stella Nyamekye

Total shots: 11
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 11
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 5
Saves: 0

Referees: Alexandra Billeter
Assistants: Tiffini Turpin, Art Arustamyan
Fourth Official: Benjamin Meyer
VAR: Patricia McCracken
Attendance: 8,467
Weather: 42 degrees and heavy rain

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Sounders advance past Antigua in Champions Cup

Seattle Sounders FC 3
Antigua GFC 1
February 26, 2025
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
CONCACAF Champions Cup

Seattle Sounders FC hosted Antigua GFC on Wednesday evening in Seattle in the return leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup tie. The hosts took the first leg on the road 3-1 on February 19th. The winner of the tie will be set to face Cruz Azul in the Round of 16.

Seattle entered the match with both a two goal cushion and three away goals. With the Champions Cup matches wedged midweek during the first league matches, Seattle was getting an early taste of how the 2025 schedule crunch will be. Antigua arrived in Seattle with the deficit in the tie and needing to return to a league match on the weekend.

The hosts would also get on the scoreboard first. Pedro de la Vega would break through in the 24th minute; scoring his second in the tie and first goal of any kind at Lumen. The early matches of 2025 seem to indicate de la Vega is in the form the SOunders had hoped for when signing him a year ago.

Antigua made excellent use of counters and switches throughout the first half. The Guatamalen side eleveled in first half stoppage utilizing a diagonal ball deep into the Sounders penalty area. Jose Galvez would get a far post short range touch past Sounder keeper Andrew Thomas. VAR confirmed the goal and the match entered the half level at one.

The late first half goal altered the match coming out of the half. Seattle came out pressing early, not merely sitting on their lead.

The pressure would pay off with a goal in the 53rd minute. Paul Arriola would slot home a right footed shot off a pass from Jesus Ferreira to put Seattle back up 2-1.

Antigua would continue to attempt to press forward, getting a few good looks on goal. Seattle chose to continue to press for more goals, not merely hanging back and absorbing or killing the game. Second half subs would add energy to the Seattle attack.

Pedro de la Vega would continue his blistering start to 2025 with a late brace. The 88th minute strike would make the match 3-1 and be his third goal in the first week of the season.

As winner, Seattle now faces Mexican club Cruz Azul in the Round of 16 on March 5 at home in the first leg.

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PWHL Takeover Tour Seattle – Report

Boston Fleet 2 (3) – 2pts SOW
Montreal Victoire 2 (1) 1pt SOL
PWHL Regular Season – Takeover Tour
Climate Pledge Arena – Seattle, WA
January 5, 2025

photos by Vanya Tucherov

The PWHL Takeover Tour hit Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena on Sunday afternoon. A large and enthusiastic crowd packed the building. Unlike many other sports tours, the match and the Takeover Tour are regular season games that count in the standings and were not merely exhibitions.

The weekend-long event included the players getting the Seattle treatment of fish throwing and sightseeing, a Kraken game Saturday night, and and open practice at the Kraken Community Iceplex that drew hundreds of loud and enthusiastic fans.

The two clubs played last Monday in Montreal, an 3-1 win by the Victoire. Montreal has not played during the week since. Boston played in Minnesota on Thursday and comes in on a three match losing skid.

Both teams had commented on Saturday to expect a physical match up as they had just recently played a hard fought match. That would prove to be true in the early going.

Montreal would grab the game’s first goal. Taking advantage of the first power play, the Victoire’s Laura Stacey would poke in from short range. The early stages had seen Boston pushing the play, having a 6-1 SOG advantage in the first half dozen minutes prior to the power play. The Fleet had managed to get several good looks early, but had not capitalized.

Not long after the goal, a scrum would ensue in front of the Fleet goal, highlighting the stakes of the game. A Victoire slashing penalty would provide Boston with an opportunity to level, but they were unable to get the equalizer as Montreal would kill off the penalty. The pace of play remained brisk.

Late in the first, Montreal would grab a second goal by Abby Boreen. The early push from Boston had not produced a goal and Montreal had found their game. The 2-0 scoreline would hold into the first intermission.

Boston would again come out pressing, needing to cut the lead. But again, Montreal’s defense would weather the attack and as the period progressed the Victoire would once again begin to control more of the play and get more shots on goal.

The hard hitting would mostly continue, but Boston appeared more interested in getting players into transition. Even after successfully killing a mid 2nd period penalty, the Fleet still found themselves down two and goalless.

The break Boston needed would come when Montreal would find themselves suddenly two players down from a quick series of penalties. It did not take long in the 5v3 situation for the Fleet to finally get on the board. Hannah Bilka’s goal made the it 2-1, and it felt like a very different game with seven minutes left in the 2nd.

Boston’s good fortune looked to be quickly evaporated when almost immediately facing a a power play themselves, but they managed to fend off the Victoire with some scrappy defense in front of the net.

The crowd had steadily warmed up to the neutral match, cheering plays and goals and hits regardless of who. A close game entering the final period brought the noise out. The early 3rd period penalty against Boston got the crowd going on the power play.

The power play dented the Fleet time for a leveling goal. They managed to kill off the penalty, but as the midpoint of the period ticked down, they were still a goal down.

The Fleet got that second goal. WIth nine minutes remaining and with Montreal down a player, Susanna Tapani would make it 2-2 and the crowd noise sounded like it was actually a home game for Boston.

The final minutes were tense, as both looked to grab a late winner. The end to end pace and near misses and late chances added drama to an already exciting evening.

The overtime period began with Boston having a 5v4 advantage from a late penalty against Montreal. Montreal killed off the penalty. Both had chances, but neither was able to get past the stellar goaltending on display from both Aerin Frankel and Ann-Renee Desbiens.

The shootout would go the way of Boston, as they netted three to just one from the Victoire.

The crowd of 12,608 was treated to a great game amidst a well done event weekend.

BOX

Montréal 2 0 0 0 – 2
Boston 0 1 1 0 – 3

1st Period-1, Montréal, Stacey 3 (Gardiner, Barnes), 6:28 (PP). 2, Montréal, Boreen 3 (Ambrose, O’Neill), 16:36. Penalties-Brown Bos (tripping), 5:39; O’Neill Mtl (slashing), 12:47.

2nd Period-3, Boston, Bilka 2 (Keller, Pelkey), 12:45 (PP). Penalties-Murphy Mtl (interference), 7:24; served by Ljungblom Mtl (too many players), 11:40; Wilgren Mtl (hooking), 12:02; Bilka Bos (tripping), 13:00.

3rd Period-4, Boston, Tapani 4 (Keller, Bilka), 10:58 (PP). Penalties-Tapani Bos (interference), 3:18; Murphy Mtl (tripping), 10:35; Poulin Mtl (boarding), 19:47.

1st OT Period- No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout – Montréal 1 (Poulin G, Grant-Mentis NG, Ambrose NG, Stacey NG), Boston 3 (Brandt G, Knight NG, Bilka G, Tapani G).

Shots on Goal-Montréal 9-6-8-2-0-25. Boston 7-6-10-7-1-31.

Power Play Opportunities-Montréal 1 / 3; Boston 2 / 6.

Goalies-Montréal, Desbiens 3-1-0-1 (30 shots-28 saves). Boston, Frankel 3-3-1-0 (25 shots-23 saves).

A-12,608

THREE STARS

1. Hannah Bilka (BOS) 1G, 1A, SOW
2. Abby Boreen (MTL) 1G
3. Susanna Tapani (BOS) 1G

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PWHL Takeover Seattle 2025 practice

Had the chance to attend the open practices of both Boston Fleet and Montreal Victoire at the kraken Community Iceplex.

A fun and enthusiastic crowd cheered on practice. Yes, we are in fact talking about practice.

Both coaches commented on how important it was to focus on business, the task at hand being an actual regular season game that counts in the standings as opposed to an exhibition.

Players commented they were really into how big the practice crowd was, and they all looked forward to the game and putting on a good show for a loud Seattle crowd.

(Photos of Montreal Victoire – Clair Degeorge, Erin Ambrose, Laura Stacey, Jennifer Gardiner, Head Coach Kori Cheverie / Boston Fleet – Head Coach Courtney Kessel, Megan Keller, Lexie Adzija)

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Reign FC end home campaign on winning note over Houston Dash

Seattle Reign FC 2
Houston Dash 1
October 18, 2024
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Two clubs playing out the NWSL regular season met in Seattle on Friday evening. Both Seattle Reign FC and Houston Dash have been eliminated from playoff qualification with two matches remaining. With both clubs level on 20 points at the bottom of the table it was an opportunity for both to avoid finishing at the actual bottom.

The hosts find themselves in unusual territory at the end of the 2024 campaign; having played in the NWSL Championship in 2023 and in winning the NWSL Shield in 2022. Houston and Seattle are only differentiated by goal difference as the season concludes after the international break.

The first half of the first half was a fairly free flowing affair. Neither side was taking huge risks with numbers forward or in pushing their defenses forward.

The result was a lot of ball movement with the intermittent look on goal. Houston had a few really good looks, but Reign keeper Claudia Dickey was solid. It was the same at the other end as the Reign managed a few good looks on goal, but nothing Dash keeper Jane Campbell could not handle.

In the middle of the half, Seattle midfielder Olivia Athens would get a look on goal from outside the box and her long range volley opened the scoring.

The lead would not hold, as moments later Reign captain Lauren Barnes would be called for a penalty at the other end. Bárbara Olivieri would convert the penalty and things were right back to level at one.

The level scoreline continued well into the second half. As neither side changed tactics or personnel the match continued in the same manner as the first half.

Then Dash seemed to have the most success on the counter from the left side through Ryan Gareis, who managed to get free a number of times through the match running onto long through balls.

Haitian Nerilia Mondesir would break the deadlock in the 65th minute. Pouncing on a loose ball a few yards in front of the Dash goal, Mondesir would manage to poke it past Campbell for a Reign lead. The goal was the first NWSL goal for Mondesir.

The second goal would hold up for Seattle. The goal and win appeared cathartic for the home side, a positive result for the final match at home at the end of a season of frustrations.

Lee Pate Photos

BOX

Scoring Summary

SEA: Athens – 22’, Mondésir – 65′
HOU: Olivieri (P) – 25’

Discipline

SEA: None
HOU: Chapman (Caution – 51′)

Lineups

SEA: GK Dickey, D Barnes (c) (McClernon 81’), D Bugg, D Glas (Holmes 89’), M Ji (Stanton 81’), M Athens, M Mondésir, F Latsko, F Huitema (Lester 90+6’), F Adames (Crnogorčević 73’), F King (Mercado 81’)
Unused substitutes: GK Ivory, GK Perez

Total Shots: 12 (Adames – 3)
Shots on Goal: 5 (Mondésir – 2)
Fouls: 8 (Mondésir – 3)
Offsides: 1
Corner Kicks: 2
Saves: 3 (Dickey – 3)

HOU: GK Campbell (c), D Chapman (Jacobs 85’), D Lima, D Nielsen, D Harris, M Schmidt, M Puntigam (Matthews 85’), M Gareis (Briede 66’), M Patterson, F Nagasato (West 77’), F Olivieri
Unused substitutes: F Ordóñez, GK Hinz, D Ayson, GK Mckinney

Total Shots: 10 (Gareis, Puntigam– 2)
Shots on Goal: 4 (Gareis – 2)
Fouls: 9 (Olivieri – 3)
Offsides: 3
Corner Kicks: 5
Saves: 3 (Campbell – 3)

Referee: Brad Jensen
Assistant Referee 1: Seun Yinka-Kehinde
Assistant Referee 2: Eric Krueger
4th Official: Kelsey Harms
VAR: Alexandra Billeter
AVAR: Rhett Hammil

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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