Huerta Makes a Statement in Her Return to Seattle
In the Reign’s 2-1 win over Urawa Red Diamonds, Sofia Huerta made her return to the pitch for Seattle for the first time since August 2024 after spending nearly a year on loan with OL Lyonnes in the top French league. The defender started the match and played 61 minutes in her return to Seattle, and her impact was immediately felt.
The dynamic defender had her skill on full display from the first whistle, eager to have the ball at her feet. Her keen ball control allowed the Reign to press forward into the attack and put Urawa under pressure if their own half of the field.
She quickly reminded fans what she’s capable of as she recorded the opening goal of the afternoon. Midfielder Sally Menti served a corner kick into the box and it was cleared to the edge of the area, but only as far as Huerta, who was lurking outside the box. She made no mistake as she settled the ball and struck it low and hard past Ikeda Sakiko in goal.
On the other side of the ball the veteran helped the Reign to hold the visitors to just one goal in the match.
"It's been really nice being back,” said Huerta. “I mean, as you guys know, Seattle is home for me, so being away was difficult, but obviously rewarding in other ways, so coming back to the team has been really nice and such a nice surprise. I love everyone the team and the team's done so well. It's been really fun to watch from afar, so to be able to come back has been nice.”
She added, “Obviously, I'm just wanting to fit in, you know, as I can because the team is doing so well, so whatever I can do to contribute will be a positive. But it's been really nice being back and everyone's been so welcoming. It feels like I'm like on a new team because the team so new, but obviously I've been here for a long time, so it's been interesting, but really nice to be back.”
She continued to shine into the second half of the match, as she connected with forward Nérilia Mondésir down the left side of the field before crossing a ball the far post, where forward Jordyn Huitema nearly got on the end of it.
In the 52nd minute of the match, Huitema was dragged down in the 18-yard box and Huerta stepped up to take the penalty kick. She once again struck the ball low and hard, into the back on the net to double the Reign’s tally and retake the lead.
“It was fun to score at Lumen. I was happy to be back. I've missed it here. I've missed you guys. I've missed the team. So, it was really fun today.”
For Head Coach Laura Harvey, it was one of the priorities of the match to get Huerta back on the field as the team gears up for a challenging second half of the season.
“I thought we did some good stuff. I think getting Mia [Fishel] and Sofia [Huerta] some minutes was a big priority for us, so we did that, which was great. Trying to try a couple of different things, a couple of people in different positions. We've got a big stretch of 12 games in 12 weeks coming up, so we're not going to have a lot of time to. Try things out.”
Huerta and Reign continue a summer of soccer as the Reign play one more friendly before returning to NWSL play in Seattle with its annual Pride Match on Friday, August 1 against Angel City and the new Queen’s Match, honoring the legendary 1985 national team against Chicago Stars FC on Monday, August 18.