Pre-Match Notes: The NWSL Regular Season is back, and the Seattle Reign are looking to start off fresh after falling to Gotham FC in the NWSL Championship Final last season. The Seattle Reign had a challenging season last year as the team struggled to find their form late into the 2023 season, after seeing many of its players called away for international duty. The Reign are hoping to kick off their season with a win at home against the Washington Spirit.

During the offseason, fans questioned whether the Reign would be able to compete this season after the team had lost a handful of players. Forward and USWNT veteran, Megan Rapinoe, would retire from both club and international soccer. Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett would leave to sign with Gotham FC. Brazilian midfielder, Angelina, would exercise her free agency and leave the Reign to sign for the Orlando Pride. In a three-way trade deal with Racing Louisville and Gotham FC, the Reign would trade defender, Sam Hiatt, to Gotham FC, but would gain defender, Julia Lester, from Racing Louisville. In the 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft, Bay FC would select defender, Alyssa Malonson, while the Utah Royals would select forward, Elyse Bennett.

While many Reign fans may be disappointed by so many players leaving the club, the Seattle Reign were able to make some new signings in the offseason, most notably South Korean midfielder, Ji So-yun. She has spent eight seasons with Chelsea since her arrival in 2014. She has made 210 appearances with Chelsea, scored 68 goals across all competitions, and helped Chelsea win thirteen major titles. She would depart from Chelsea in 2022 as one of the top goal-scorers in WSL history.

In addition to Ji So-yun, the Reign would sign Welsh internationals, Lily Woodham, and Angharad James, who had previously played in the NWSL before with the North Carolina Courage, and the Orlando Pride. The Reign would sign forward McKenzie Weinert, who had played for the Reign last season as a national team replacement player. The Reign would then sign NWSL Draftees Sam Meza, and Maddie Mercado, along with U-18 forward, Emeri Adames.

If the Seattle Reign want to be successful in this match, and in their upcoming games, the team is needing to work on building their midfield and attack in regards to movement, control and confidence, as well as their connection between the attacking players. Connection in the box, as well as finishing chances is also going to be essential for the Reign team, as it’s something the Reign have struggled with in past seasons. Besides that it’s going to be interesting to see how the Reign performs in this 2024 season, and if they’ll be able to finish their chances.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Claudia Dickey in the goal. For defenders Sofia Huerta, Shae Holmes, Phoebe McClernon, and Lily Woodham. For midfielders Jess Fishlock, Ji So-yun, Quinn, and Angharad James-Turner. For forwards Bethany Balcer and Jordyn Huitema.

Substitutes: Laurel Ivory, Ryanne Brown, Lu Barnes, Nicki Stanton, Olivia Van Der Jagt, Olivia Athens, Tziarra King, Emeri Adames, and Sam Meza.

*Alana Cook and Veronica Latsko are both out due to injuries.

This is a very interesting lineup, and it’s going to be exciting to see how this team performs in this match, with so many new players in the midfield. I’m really looking forward to seeing how this midfield of Quinn, Fishlock, Ji So-yun, and James-Turner is going to play out. It could take a while for the players to get adjusted to one another, however, we should start to see that growth and chemistry in the midfield, and among the team, as the season progresses.

When it comes to this match, hopefully, we’ll see good movement, control, and possession in the midfield, along with good connection in the attack. This Reign team has the potential to be a dangerous attacking threat this season, but the midfield must get forward, and the attack must connect and put away their chances.

When it comes to the Reign backline, despite missing Alana Cook due to a knee injury, the Reign backline is normally very strong and doesn’t often make that many mistakes. Additionally, as seen in past seasons, there is great support in the defense from the rest of the team. Overall, this backline of Huerta, Holmes, McClernon, and Woodham should be able to hold up nicely against the Washington Spirit.

This is likely going to be a tough and challenging match for the Reign, however the team is more than capable of stepping up to the challenge and hopefully coming away with a win.

First Half Notes

Seattle Reign 1-0.

Goal Scorer for the Reign: Balcer (PK)

Ten seconds into the first half, the Reign would be awarded a penalty kick, after a foul on Huitema in the box. Balcer would convert the penalty kick, making it 1-0 for the Reign, and making it the earliest awarded penalty kick in the league so far.

Overall, it’s a good first-half performance from the Reign. Control and possession have been good, despite facing some heavy Spirit pressure in the midfield. The Reign was able to handle that pressure and get their attack forward. So far, the Reign have been successful when it comes to getting behind the Spirit backline. Going into the second half, the Reign should try to create more long passes and through balls behind the backline, and see if the attacking players can get on the end of them.

There have been plenty of crosses and services coming in from all sides, and the Reign team could’ve had more goals in this half, however, the connection in the box and finishing haven’t been good. Additionally, there’s not enough support in the box. A Reign player, Huerta or Balcer for example, could come up the wings and cross the ball in front of goal, however, there would only be one Reign player in the box, versus three Spirit defenders, and the goalkeeper. Going into this second half, if the Reign wants to get more goals, there needs to be better support, connection, and finishing in and around the box.

Second Half and Closing Notes

Seattle Reign Wins 1-0.

Goal Scorer for the Reign: Balcer (PK).

While the second half was quieter for the Reign attack, it was no less exciting. In the 68th-69th minute, the Spirit would score, but the goal was overturned, due to a foul on Dickey. In the 90th minute, Washington Spirit Goalkeeper, Aubrey Kingsbury, would be sent off with a direct red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity for Fishlock.

The Reign in this second half appeared to have taken a more defensive approach. The Reign’s backline and defense proved to be strong in this match, and for the most part, were able to hold off the Spirit’s attack. The Reign’s defensive prowess can almost be expected each season; however, the Reign’s biggest issue in this match wasn’t their defense, it was their attack.

The Reign attack was still able to get forward in this half and create a few chances, but they weren’t viable enough for the attacking players to get on the end of. The Reign is still needing to work on their connection, support, and finishing in the box. You can’t say there haven’t been enough chances for the Reign, nor can you say those chances were all bad. Most of them were right on target, in front of the goal. This has hurt the Reign many times in the past. Right now, the Reign’s inability to connect and finish in front of goal, could hurt this team again if they don’t get that under control.

Despite that, this was still an entertaining match and a great performance from the Reign. With their first win of the 2024 NWSL Season, the Reign have shown they are ready to compete, and make their mark on the season.