Match Forecast: Reign FC Returns Home to Take on North Carolina on Sunday
After a road match against the Kansas City Current, Reign FC returns to Lumen Field in Seattle to take on the North Carolina Courage. As the team enters the final stretch of the season, every point matters.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 5:00 p.m. PT at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.
WHERE TO WATCH: Fans can tune in to the match on NWSL+ or Paramount+ or on FOX 13+ in the Seattle Area.
2025 NWSL REGULAR SEASON RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): Seattle Reign FC: 8-7-6 (30 points, 6th place), North Carolina Courage: 7-7-7 (28 points, 8th place)
Key Info Ahead of the Match:
1. LAST MEETING – Reign FC and the Courage last met in March, when the Reign traveled to North Carolina and picked up a win. The 2-1 victory featured a first half goal from midfielder Jess Fishlock before Jordyn Bugg doubled their lead in the 56th minute with her first-ever NWSL goal. Three minutes later, the Courage found one goal back, but the Reign held onto the lead and took home all three points.
In all NWSL competitions, the Reign have five wins, eleven losses and three draws against the Courage, with 15 goals scored.
2. SCOUTING NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina is currently in eighth place in the NWSL standings, just above the playoff line.
Most recently, the Courage defeated the Orlando Pride 1-0, posting their second consecutive win. The Pride outshot the Courage nine to seven but only managed two shots on target. It took North Carolina 89 minutes to find the game-winning goal, but one chance for Shinomi Koyama was all it took. Aline Gomes created the opportunity by carrying the ball forward to force a deflection, which fell to Shinomi.
The strike marked the seventh lead-changing goal (equalizer or go-ahead) scored by the Courage after the 80th minute this season – the most by any team in a single regular season since 2017.
3. EVERY POINT MATTERS – Entering the final stretch of the season, earning every point possible is critical, as the Reign push to secure a spot in the 2025 NWSL Playoffs. The table is tight, as there are just three points between third place and eighth place.
At home this season, the Reign are unbeaten in seven of ten matches and will look to continue that trend against North Carolina. The team has scored 10 goals at Lumen Field in 2025, most recently adding a 90th minute game-winner from the foot of veteran midfielder Jess Fishlock.
4. PLAYERS TO WATCH – Reign FC midfielder Sam Meza has brought a strong presence to the center of the pitch for Seattle, displaying both physicality and quality play to command the space. She leads the team in tackles with 89. Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey continues to impress in the net, as she made six saves against the Current, marking just the sixth time in her career she has recorded six or more saves in a match.
For North Carolina, defender Kayleigh Kurtz has played every minute of the 2025 season. A stalwart for the team, she ranks second in the NWSL in passes and has also added one goal for the Courage. In the attack, Manaka Matsukubo leads North Carolina in goals scored with six and ranks fourth in the league in shots on target. She most recently scored in North Carolina’s 2-1 win over Angel City on September 13.