Pre Match Notes

The NWSL Regular Season may be on break for the Paris Olympics, however there is still plenty of action going on in the NWSL, and the Liga MX Femenil. Both leagues have partnered together to compete in the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. The Seattle Reign is in Group A with the Portland Thorns, the Utah Royals, and Club Tijuana. The Reign will be meeting the Royals for their first group stage match.

Jordyn Huitema, Quinn, Jess Fishlock, Angharad James-Turner, and Lily Woodham will be unavailable due to the Olympics and international duty. However, Bethany Balcer, Veronica Latsko, and Tziarra King will still be available in the attack. Ji So-yun will also be available as well.

The Reign have already played the Utah Royals in the regular season, and were able to walk away with a 1-1 draw. As seen in many of their regular season games, the Reign will have no issue getting their attack forward, and creating chance; however, the challenges for the Reign are going to involve their connection and chemistry in the attack third, how well they are able to adapt to changes in play—especially when it comes to their responses to the Royals’ counterattacks and transitions—and whether the team will be able to finish their chances.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Laurel Ivory in the goal. For defenders Julia Lester, Shae Holmes, Phoebe McClernon, and Ryanne Brown. For midfielders Nikki Stanton, Olivia Athens, and Maddie Mercado. For forwards Veronica Latsko, McKenzie Weinert, and Emeri Adames.

The Reign’s usual starters Claudia Dickey, Alana Cook, Sofia Huerta, Bethany Balcer, and Tziarra King are available off the bench. Overall, this is an interesting starting eleven. I’m looking forward to this attacking line of Latsko, Weinert, and Adames. I believe these three, as well as Brown in the backline, will be able to get forward, provided that there is good control and movement in the midfield. Maintaining control and getting forward in the midfield and attack could be the Reign’s biggest challenge in this match; however, it will be interesting to see how the team performs overall.

First Half Notes

Seattle Reign 1-1.

Goal Scorers for the Reign: Athens (PK).

Weinert would get fouled in the Royals box, which would result in a penalty kick for the Reign. Athens would step up and convert the penalty.

The Reign are facing some challenges in the midfield, in regard to defensive play, and control. They’re having trouble responding to the Royals’ transitions and counterattacks. There has to be better control in the midfield if the Reign want to cut off the Royals’ attack, and create better plays for their own attacking players.

Emeri Adames did well in this first half. She has great pace and has been successful at breaking through the Royals’ defense. If the Reign can figure out how to get her on the ball more, and make more runs, then she’ll be able to create more chances for the attack. As for the Reign attack as a whole, they were able to get forward, but they weren’t able to create enough chances. The team needs to be quicker in transition, and quicker with their crosses and services.

Going into the second half, the Reign needs to create more chances. In order for that to happen, there needs to be better control and movement in the midfield, and better connection in the midfield and attack. Since Brown went down injured in additional time, it appears as though we’ll be seeing Sofia Huerta come in. She’ll be able to create some chances for the attack. Holmes is another player who needs to get forward more as well. Allowing Holmes to attack and create chances up the wing (much like Huerta), could allow Adames to roam, get open, and provide more support in the box.

Second Half and Closing Notes

Seattle Reign Wins 2-1.

Goal Scorers for the Reign: Athens (PK), Huerta (1).

Huerta would score a header off a cross from King.

The second half was somewhat better for the Reign. The attack was able to get forward, and the Reign were able to create more chances and plays. Huerta, Balcer, King, Adames, and Latsko were able to maintain better possession, and help the attack when it came to getting forward, and creating build up plays. Holmes was also able to get forward more in this half as well.

The Reign are still needing to sort out their midfield. They need to have better control of the midfield, in addition to being quicker with their transitions and movement up the field. Granted, Adames and King were able to make some good runs, and break through the Royals’ backline. If the Reign team can connect with Adames and King in transition, if those two are able to get open like they did in tonight’s game, they’ll be able to create more chances for the attack. However, this goes back to the team needing to maintain control, improve their movement and connection in the attacking third, and build consistency.