Pre-Match Notes

After four back-to-back losses, the most recent one being a 1-2 loss to the Chicago Red Stars, the Seattle Reign are hoping to turn their season around by coming away with a win against the North Carolina Courage. Despite coming off of a loss to Angel City FC, the Courage will prove to be another tough opponent for the Reign.

It’s clear the Reign team needs a new strategy moving forward. One that focuses on a more aggressive and direct plan of attack right from the get-go. In their matches against the Red Stars and Bay FC, the Reign didn’t get settled until the second half. This is where the team would start playing with more urgency and intensity, and where we would see better movement and connection in the midfield and attack. Going into this match against the Courage, the Reign shouldn’t wait till the second half to sort out their attack. As seen in the match against the Red Stars, the Reign were down 0-2 at halftime, and despite the team performing better in the second half, it was already too late.

The Reign needs to take control early on in the first half. The team has shown they have the ability to move, connect, and create chances. Instead of waiting till the second half, waiting till the opposing team scores, there needs to be initiative and incentive to score early and score first. This all goes back to the Reign needing to maintain control and keep possession in the midfield.

Additionally, there needs to be better awareness in the Reign’s backline. As of recent, the backline has been struggling to deal with runners, and is getting caught off guard during opposing teams’ transitions and counterattacks. It’s surprising to see the Reign’s backline get broken down so easily, especially when their defense has been a central focus of the Reign for multiple seasons.

Looking at the Reign’s performance in their last few games, it appears as though nothing is changing. Unless the Reign can make changes in regard to their offensive, defensive, and midfield strategy, as well as their mentality, the team is going to continue falling apart this season. Something has to change.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Laurel Ivory in the goal. For defenders Lauren Barnes, Alana Cook, Sofia Huerta, and Phoebe McClernon. For midfielders Quinn, Angharad James-Turner, Jess Fishlock, and Ji So-yun. For forwards Tziarra King and Veronica Latsko.

Claudia Dickey and Jordyn Huitema are still out with injuries.

The Reign appears to be playing in a 4-4-2. There might be more of a focus on controlling the midfield and keeping possession. Hopefully we’ll see better control, movement and stability in the midfield, as well as better connection in the attacking third. King was able to get a goal back for the Reign in the match against the Red Stars, and it’s going to be interesting to see whether both her and Latsko will be able to connect, and grab a goal or two in this match. Additionally, I would like to see Ji make her presence more known in the attack.

Balcer, Adames, and Weinert are available off the bench, and will most likely come on in the second half. Both Adames and Weinert have the potential to be strong gamechangers in the second half. When it comes to the backline, Huerta, Cook, and Barnes are tried-and-true defenders. However, Ryanne Brown and Shae Holmes could also be good defensive options for the backline as well.

In regard to this match against the Courage, hopefully we’ll see a change from the Reign’s previous games.

First Half Notes

North Carolina Courage 1-0.

It’s not a bad first half performance from the Reign. There were definitely areas where the Reign is showing some improvement. Control, passing and movement in the midfield has been improving. The Reign were doing well when it came to keeping control and maintaining possession. However, the midfield and backline needs to respond better to the Courage’s counterattacks and transitions. There especially needs to be better awareness from the defenders when it comes to long passes and through balls behind the backline.

While the Reign midfield is starting to find themselves again, there wasn’t much from the Reign attack in regard to connection, creating chances and making attempts on goal. It’s clear the Reign are still needing to work on building their attack, and connecting in the attacking third. Going into this second half, the Reign needs to get their attack forward, and work on creating more chances.

Second Half and Closing Notes

Seattle Reign lose 1-0.

The second half was somewhat better for the Reign. Early on, the Reign were able to create some crosses and services for the attack. There was also good control and movement from the Reign team in general. Then, as the second half went on, the Courage were able to get back in control, and were on the attack. The Reign would start attacking again late in the second half, however, it would make no difference in the end.

While a fifth straight loss is disappointing, it’s clear that the Reign have been improving when it comes to maintaining control and possession in the midfield. It still needs more attention, but the Reign can consider it a positive takeaway from this match. The attack is something that needs more work and attention. The Reign needs to be more aggressive in the attacking third, and they need to create more chances. Connection in the attack and finishing is still an evident problem for this team. While this wasn’t the Reign’s worst match or performance, the team still isn’t where they should be as of yet.