Pre Match Notes

In a stunning comeback the Seattle Reign would go on to win 2-3 against Racing Louisville after going 2-1 down in the first half. Now, the Reign are set to face Angel City FC. The Reign are slowly starting to find their form again, and we are beginning to see more progress from the Reign team after their wins against Racing Louisville and the North Carolina Courage.

Second Half Team

The Reign are still needing to build more consistency across all areas; however, what has been consistent is the team having more momentum and success in the second half of matches rather than the first. The Reign team have always been known as a “second-half team,” often choosing to build more urgency and momentum in the second half, rather than the first. This does come with more risk as seen in the Reign’s last match against Racing Louisville, where the Reign went down 2-1 in the first half.

Defense + New Signing

While the strategy of building momentum and urgency in the second half does work for the Reign, the team is needing to strengthen their backline and defense in order to hold off the opposing team’s attack. Both of Racing Louisville’s goals would come off of corner kicks. Thankfully, the Reign have made a new signing earlier this week, signing Swedish defender, Hanna Glas, from the Kansas City Current. Glas had previously played for Bayern Munich, before signing with the Current. Hopefully, signing Glas will strengthen the Reign backline and defense.

Against Angel City FC

When it comes to this match against Angel City the Reign attack could likely benefit from starting Ji So-yun and Nérilia Mondésir. These two connected really well in the match against Racing Louisville, and both showed great pace in transition, which is something the Reign will need in this match against Angel City. The Reign attack were able to get forward in their last two games, nevertheless, we need to see good connection and build up in the attack.

This goes back to the midfield needing to provide good control and stability, in addition to managing Angel City’s pressure. A midfield consisting of Howell, Quinn, and Mondésir could provide better control and stability (with Quinn and Howell), and quick transition and countering (with Mondésir).

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Claudia Dickey in the goal. For defenders Sofia Huerta, Julia Lester, Phoebe McClernon, and Shae Holmes. For midfielders Quinn, Jess Fishlock, and Ji So-yun. For forwards Jordyn Huitema, Tziarra King, and Ana-Maria Crnogorčević.

Substitutes: Laurel Ivory, Lauren Barnes, Lily Woodham, Angharad James-Turner, Olivia Athens, Nérilia Mondésir, Ainsley McCammon, Hanna Glas, Veronica Latsko.

Jaelin Howell is suspended for this match due to yellow card accumulation. It’s more apparent now how important control is going to be for the Reign in this match—not just to get forward and create plays, but also to hold off and shut down Angel City’s attack. On top of maintaining control, there needs to be quick transitions getting forward, as well as good build up in the attack.

First Half Notes

Angel City FC 1-2 Seattle Reign.

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

Jordyn Huitema would be fouled in the box by Angel City’s goalkeeper, Haračić, and the Reign would be awarded a penalty kick. Huerta would step up and convert the penalty making it 1-1 for the Reign. Holmes’ cross would find Huitema. Huitema would bring it down for Ji. Ji would score making it 1-2 for the Reign. 

This was a good first half for the Reign. Early on in the first half, the Reign were struggling to handle Angel City’s pressure in the midfield. Angel City were able to breakthrough the Reign’s defense, and create multiple crosses and services in front of goal. Angel City’s Alyssa Thompson was causing many problems for Holmes and the rest of the Reign backline. At the same time, the Reign were also struggling to transition and get their attack forward. The Reign were too slow and Angel City were able to recover possession and get back on the attack.

As the half went on, the Reign would start to grow into the game, and get more adjusted. The Reign were seeing more spells of possession. They were able to get forward in transition, and create multiple build plays. There was good connection in the attack, and the Reign were successful at breaking through Angel City’s backline and defense, thanks to King, Ji, Holmes, and Huerta. The attacking players still need to finish their chances (they had multiple opportunities to do so); however, if the Reign can maintain their momentum and control, then they could grab more goals in the second half. 

Second Half and Closing Notes

Seattle Reign Wins 2-3.

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

James-Turner would start the counter press and play the ball up to Crnogorčević. Crnogorčević’s cross would find King, who would score the Reign’s third goal.

This second half definitely plays into the “NWSL After Dark” trope, where the weirdest and strangest things would happen in NWSL games that took place after 10:00PM EST. From cards, to injuries, to weird refereeing decisions, and even extended amounts of extra time.

Angel City would see two of their goals disallowed in this second half. Both would go to VAR. One would be called offside, and the second would be disallowed due to a foul on Lester. On both of those occasions, the Reign would consider themselves lucky… Then Angel City would finally score in the 98th minute, but by then, it was already too late for them to make a comeback, and Seattle would go on to win.

In regard to this second half, the Reign would see more pressure and possession from Angel City. The Reign likely went into this second half prepared to “park the bus”, but not entirely. The Reign were more careful when it came to picking their chances to counterattack and get forward. One of those counter presses would even result in a goal.

Angel City had the most possession in this second half, and were relentless with their barrage of crosses, services and attempts. Alyssa Thompson was still wreaking havoc down the Reign’s left wing. Nevertheless, it’s not the first time the Reign have had to defend a close or narrow lead for an extended period of time. Defensively, the Reign did well keeping Angel City at bay. Despite a few close calls, the Reign were able to recover possession and clear their lines.

Overall, it was a nerve-racking game, but a lucky good win and performance from the Seattle Reign.