Match Recap: Reign FC Completes Comeback Win Over North Carolina Courage
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Seattle Reign FC secured a massive three points with a comeback 2-1 victory over the North Carolina Courage in front of a boisterous crowd of 8,563 fans at Lumen Field on Sunday evening. Hannah Betfort scored for the visitors midway through the second half before goals from Jordyn Huitema and Maddie Dahlien sealed the win for Seattle.
North Carolina came flying out of the gate, pressing high and looking to create chances in transition. Courage defender Ryan Williams drove a cross to the back post that found Manaka Matsukubo, but her header was saved onto the crossbar by Claudia Dickey.
After weathering a few early chances, the Reign responded with a well-worked set piece routine in the 14th minute. Sofia Huerta played a driven ball to the penalty spot to a wide-open Sam Meza, but the midfielder couldn’t steer her volley on target.
In the 36th minute, Madison Curry drove into the box and went down under a challenge from a North Carolina defender, but the referee waved off the penalty claims.
Two minutes later, Jess Fishlock nearly scored an opportunistic goal as she pounced on a loose pass at midfield and spotted goalkeeper Marisa Jordan high off her line, but her attempted chip rolled wide of the goal.
The Reign appeared to have opened the scoring in the 49th minute when Dahlien capped off a fantastic team build-up with a brilliant finish inside the far post, but it was called back for offside following Video Review.
A few minutes later, the Courage took a 1-0 lead as Betfort latched onto a long cross from Williams and headed the ball into the side netting.
After throwing numbers forward in search of an equalizer, Seattle’s persistence paid off in the 71st minute. Ainsley McCammon slipped a pass into the channel for Emeri Adames, who played the ball through the six-yard box for Huitema to score from close range.
The Reign completed the comeback in the 80th minute when Dahlien received the ball on the wing before cutting inside on her right foot and sliding her shot past the goalkeeper to put Seattle 2-1 up.
North Carolina continued to pile on the pressure deep into second half stoppage time, but the Reign stood strong and held on for a crucial victory in the push for the playoffs.
With the win, the Reign have moved into fourth place in the NWSL standings, just one point back of Gotham FC in third. Seattle can climb one spot in the table if they beat Gotham on the road in their next match on October 5 (1:00 p.m. PT).
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Midfield Maestro: Meza put on a masterclass in midfield on Sunday night. Operating in a double-pivot, she bossed both sides of the ball to help Seattle secure three points. In possession, she was constantly twisting and turning out of pressure, weaving through defenders on the dribble and playing incisive passes. On the defensive side, she racked up eight recoveries, seven tackles, three clearances and an interception.
Future is Bright : With the Reign trailing and needing to get back into the match, Head Coach Laura Harvey turned to two youngsters in Adames and McCammon to change the game. Not only did they provide an immediate injection of energy, the two combined to set up the equalizer before McCammon got a secondary assist on Dahlien’s game winner.
Never Quit Mentality: Perhaps the best illustration of Reign FC’s gritty mentality on Sunday evening was Dahlien’s decisive goal. Undeterred by having her first goal called back by Video Review, the pacey winger scored a with a nearly identical effort to seal all three points for Seattle.
UP NEXT: Reign FC travels to the East Coast to take on NJ/NY Gotham FC on Sunday, October 5 at 1:00 p.m. PT.