Pre Match Notes

The Seattle Reign are coming off of a 1-1 draw to Bay FC. It was an all right performance from the Reign. Bay FC would score first in the first half, and the Reign were able to come back in the second half with a goal from Jordyn Huitema.

It was a good comeback from the Reign. However, the Reign still had plenty of chances to score. It sounds like beating a dead horse, but the positioning and finishing in the attack may as well be the Reign’s biggest rival, next to the Portland Thorns. Taking advantage of the chances they create is something the Reign has to start doing more of.

Finishing seems like the Reign’s biggest challenge, especially when you look at the team’s midfield and attack. The Reign have been doing well when it comes to maintaining possession and control. It is different from what we saw last season, where the Reign appeared to have been struggling to keep control and get forward. Sam Meza has been doing well, and so has Ji So-yun. We are also seeing good build up in the attack.

When it comes to this match against the Kansas City Current, the Reign can expect to see more challenge and pressure, especially around their defensive third. They need to lock down their defense, watch out for Kansas City’s transitions and runs, and recover possession as quickly as possible.

Emily Mason, who came on in the second half against Bay FC, could be a good option in that rightback position, especially if the Reign are stilling wanting to get forward down the right wing.

The Reign should try to keep possession a little more in this match. As mentioned previously, the Reign needs to take advantage of the chances they do create. The earlier they score better, that way the Reign can settle back to defend, like they did against the Portland Thorns after getting their lead.

Line Up Notes

This could be a 3-4-3, or even a 3-5-2. It is interesting that Laura Harvey may be going with three in the backline. Sam Meza and Angharad James-Turner will likely be dropping back to support the backline, however, it is a bit risky going up against Kansas City with a three-back. Emily Mason, Madison Curry, Shae Holmes and Hanna Glas are available if the Reign needs them. We could see them in the second half.

The challenge for the Reign will likely come in the midfield as well. [From what I have seen], a three-back usually only works if a team can keep possession and control, especially in the midfield. This should not be a problem for Meza, though. That, and Ji is usually quick at finding someone up top in the attack to connect with.

When it comes to the attack, there is strong attacking potential with Maddie Dahlien, Lynn Biyendolo, Ana-Maria Crnogorčević and Jordyn Huitema. However, it will come down to how well they will be able to connect. Dahlien’s pace and energy has been a driving force in the Reign attack, and with Biyendolo, Crnogorčević and Huitema, you would hope to see strong cohesion, build up and finishing, but it is hard to say.

First Half Notes

Seattle Reign up 1-0.

Overall, it was a great first half for the Reign. Lynn Biyendolo would score her first regular season goal for the Reign in the 37th minute.

In regard to the Reign’s backline and defense, the Reign are actually playing with five in the backline, with Crnogorčević and Dahlien on the wings. Obviously, the plan is not to keep them there, as both of them were playing further up the field. (Edit: Due to some earlier confusion with how the line up was presented in the match stream, the Reign were actually playing in a 3-5-2, with 5 in the midfield).

So far, Barnes, Bugg, and McClernon were able to manage things well in the Reign’s defensive third, despite some pressure from Kansas City. Crnogorčević was trying to drop back to support Bugg on the right wing. Unfortunately, she is not dropping back enough. Because of that, we are seeing Kansas City creating overlapping passes, and getting past Crnogorčević very easily. 

Instead of Crnogorčević, Mason could be a good option on the right wing. She can also get forward, and can drop back to support Bugg. 

As for the Reign’s midfield and attack, we are seeing many good things. The Reign’s possession has been good. They are keeping more control than originally expected. Despite struggling to breakthrough Kansas City’s midfield and backline, the Reign were still finding and creating those openings. The build up between the midfield and attack has been great, however, it would be good if the Reign can find Dahlien a little more. 

For the second half, the Reign has options. They could either keep up their attack, or much like the match against Portland, we could see the Reign “parking the bus,” or playing on the defensive, and then picking the right moments to get forward. If that is the case, then bringing on a defender like Curry or Mason would be more ideal. 

Second Half and Closing Notes

Seattle Reign Wins 1-0.

What a match, and what a win for the Reign. The second half was very different from the first. Yes, the Reign still had some control and possession, and they were still trying to get forward.

However, as the match went on, Kansas City were starting to up their intensity and pressure. They were winning more possession in the midfield and were transitioning quickly. It felt as though the Reign were backing off in the midfield, and letting the Current make those runs.

This match would turn out like the Reign’s earlier match against the Portland Thorns. Kansas City would keep up their attack, while the Reign were on the defensive. Kansas City did score in the 71st minute, but the goal was ruled offside. It was a lucky break for the Reign. Perhaps a sprinkle of “NWSL After Dark” magic.

Late in the second half, Harvey would sub off Crnogorčević and Ji, and bring on Curry, and later Holmes and Mason (who would sub on for Barnes). As a result, the Reign were playing with five in the backline. This is something we have seen Harvey and the Reign do before to defend a tight lead.

This was a solid performance from the Reign. The team played well, and they did well keeping possession in a 3-5-2. The reason why teams may fail in a 3-5-2 is because they cannot keep enough possession.

With five players in the midfield, the Reign were able to fight their way through the midfield, and also keep possession. It was also great to see the Reign going from five in the midfield to five in the backline at the very end. Overall, the Reign are coming together nicely, and the team are working their way back to the top.