Jess Fishlock Begins August with a Showstopping Performance

Seattle Reign FC rose to the occasion in their return to NWSL play, defeating a strong Angel City side 2-0. The match brought several notable moments for the club, including forward Mia Fishel’s debut, defender Sofia Huerta’s return from loan and unmissably, veteran Jess Fishlock’s fifth appearance of 2025, and her first since June 7.

Her impact on the pitch was immediate and undeniable. The Welsh international had a rocky first half of the 2025 season, as she found herself battling injury, playing in just four of 13 matches. She worked her way back to full health just in time to join Wales over the break from NWSL play, leading the nation to their first-ever Euros campaign, and recording their first goal of the tournament.

Making her return to the Reign tonight, she subbed onto the field at halftime and brought a level of leadership that instantly changed the game. Her direction unlocked the pitch and connected the Reign’s defense and attack, clearing the way for Seattle to take on Angel City’s backline in threatening pockets of space.

Her high soccer IQ was reflected on the scoresheet tangibly after 20 minutes of playing time, as she scored the first goal of the match, fueling the Reign onto three points.

Huerta played a ball in the air to the back post where Fishlock had already checked her shoulder and got her head on the end of it, requiring Angel City’s goalkeeper Angelina Anderson to take action. Never caught off guard, Fishlock jumped on her own rebound and solidly connected with the ball, leaving Anderson no chance to keep a clean sheet. She urged on the crowd of over 10,000 beloved fans in Seattle and returned to her place directing traffic on the pitch.

“I got to watch the first half, so I got to see the pockets and what maybe I could do a little bit different that that might help, honestly. And then got a quick bit of tactical information from Laura before we went on, but I don't really think we were doing an awful lot wrong in the first half. We just weren't really connecting in the dangerous areas,” said Fishlock.

"For me, it was that was a priority for me that if I could get it in the pockets that I like, that I was connecting and going forward and knowing that the players that we have can be dangerous,” she added.

Another 20 minutes passed and the maestro in the midfield forced an Angel City own goal, once again connecting with Huerta. This time, the defender swung a corner kick into a dangerous space and Fishlock touched it just enough, sending it off defender Alanna Kennedy and into the back of the net.

“I think over the years, Jess's role has always been that, you know, whether coming off the bench, starting, which she's done a lot, she just gets the game, right, at a really high level. Her understanding of the game is really high and to have the luxury to be able to let her watch the first half and work out how she's going to have success in the game, I don't need to talk to her about that. She's going to be able to do that. And then my job is just to give her some real pointers on things that I think she needs to be really good at. And she just she gets it,” said Reign FC Head Coach Laura Harvey.

“I think the team believes that about her, too, right? That she's going to be in the right place when they need her to be. And given the opportunity they believe she's going to create or score something for them. And she did that.”

Fishlock subbed off the field in stoppage time of the match to a standing ovation, ending her showstopping performance with a bow and reminding Reign fans and opponents alike exactly what she brings to the field.