Pre Match Notes

In the Reign’s last match against Racing Louisville, Louisville would end up drawing 1-1 to the Reign, late into the second half. The Reign had the advantage. Louisville would go down to ten players in the ninth minute after a direct red card, and the Reign would lead 1-0 after being awarded a penalty. Despite the Reign getting forward and creating chances, the team were unable to convert anymore goals, and failed to maintain control in the final remaining minutes, resulting in Louisville being able to tie things up.

The Reign has shown, that while they can get forward, they are still needing to work on connecting in the box and finishing their chances. The crosses, touches, and services into the box have to be quicker, and the attacking players must to connect with those passes and services coming. Working on rebounded balls and volleys, could benefit the attack as well. While the Reign are likely to get forward in this match against Gotham, whether the team will be able to connect where it counts, and finish, has yet to be seen.

While the Reign has shown some improvement in their recent games, it appears as though the team is still coming up short. The Reign need to work on building consistency across all areas, in addition to strengthening their backline, and closing down gaps and open spaces in the defense. As seen in the match against Racing Louisville, mentality, and how the team go about approaching and adapting to each game, as well as changes in play, is proven to be just as important as tactics and strategy.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Claudia Dickey in the goal. For defenders Shae Holmes, Alana Cook, Phoebe McClernon, and Sofia Huerta. For midfielders Quinn, Ji So-yun, and Jess Fishlock. For forwards Bethany Balcer, Jordyn Huitema, and Tziarra King.

Lu Barnes and Ryanne Brown are both out due to injuries. Brown has been a good change to the Reign backline. Despite Brown and Barnes missing in this match, hopefully the Reign backline and defense will be able to hold off Gotham’s attack. Even if the Reign don’t score many goals in this match, the backline has to keep things together.

The Reign midfield and attack looks all right. Ji has been good when it comes to getting forward, and connecting with the attack. Quinn will also provide good stability and control in the midfield. The challenge for the Reign attack still remains the same. The Reign need to connect, work on their pace, finish their chances, and build consistency. How the Reign performs in this match will also depend on whether the team will be able to keep their mentality in check.

First Half Notes

Seattle Reign 0-0.

Overall, it’s not a bad performance from the Reign. There were moments where the Reign were able to keep possession and maintain control. When it comes to the midfield and attack, Ji and King shined in this first half. King was able to get behind the backline and create a few chances for Huitema and Balcer. Ji also had some good touches into the box, and was able to create some plays. Ji and King would also combine to create some good buildup plays. Additionally, Huerta would also create some chances as well. Unfortunately, the Reign attack, particularly Huitema, and Balcer, have been unsuccessful in regard to connecting with those crosses, services, and touches coming in. It’s apparent that the connection and chemistry in the attack needs more focus.

In regard to the Reign’s backline and defense, they had a shaky start to this first half, where Gotham was able to get behind the backline, while coming down the wings. The Reign still has to be more cautious defending those areas. They tend to leave their wings open, which makes them more vulnerable, and open to Gotham’s attack. For the most part, the Reign has been doing well when it comes to defending against Gotham’s set pieces and corner kicks. It’s likely the Reign will face more pressure going into the second half, and the backline will be needing to adapt to that change in play.

Second Half and Closing Notes

Seattle Reign Draws 1-1.

Goal Scorer for the Reign: Martin (OG).

The Reign would go down 1-0 at the start of the second half. In the final minute of the match (99th minute), Gotham player, Martin would end up connecting with a Reign free kick, while trying to beat Latsko to a header. Martin would accidentally score an own goal tying things up at 1-1.

If England was able to comeback in their Euro match against Slovakia, the Reign can do so as well. The Reign’s performance in this match wasn’t good, but it also wasn’t bad. When compared to the second half, the first half was definitely better for the Reign. While the Reign were able to get their attack forward and create some chances in the first half, the Reign attack, in this second half, was virtually nonexistent until the very end.

Gotham, would start applying more pressure to the Reign in the midfield and backline, and as seen in their past games (Against Racing Louisville and the Kansas City Current), the Reign struggled to adapt to this change in play. The Reign faced more challenge from Gotham in the midfield; however, they managed to adjust enough and get forward in the final remaining minutes.

It’s great that the Reign were able to comeback in this match, but there hasn’t been enough change in regard to how this team plays. The attack is still struggling to connect in the box, and the backline keeps leaving themselves open on the wings, and in dangerous areas. Unless changes are made, unless these errors are fixed, we’re going to keep seeing this same type of play from the Reign, where the team is fighting for more draws than wins, and being forced to play on the defensive more often than not.