Match Recap: Reign FC Draws 1-1 in Orlando on Decision Day
Seattle Reign FC battled Orlando Pride to a 1-1 draw at Inter&Co Stadium behind goals from Carson Pickett and Jordyn Bugg on Sunday afternoon in the final match of the 2025 NWSL regular season. With the tie, Seattle enters the NWSL Playoffs as the No. 5 seed and will face No. 4 seed Orlando again next weekend in Quarterfinals.
The high-stakes Decision Day clash got off to an energetic start as both teams tested their defensive counterparts. Seattle generated the first real chance of the match in the 5th minute following a well-worked corner routine that culminated in Jordyn Bugg smashing a volley that just went over the bar.
Five minutes later, Orlando star Marta slalomed through several defenders before striking a shot on target, but Claudia Dickey pulled out the save.
After sustaining a heavy spell of pressure, the Reign nearly opened the scoring in the 23rd minute as Maddie Mercado curled a shot that just missed the top corner.
Orlando fired another warning in the 33rd minute as Angelina danced past a pair of challenges before uncorking a powerful shot from the edge of the box, but it flashed just wide of the far post.
In stoppage time, Seattle weathered a flurry of chances from the hosts but managed to repel each one with a series of timely challenges to preserve the clean sheet heading into halftime.
Seattle looked reinvigorated to start the second half and immediately wrestled control of the game.
In the 54th minute, Bugg once again found herself on the end of a set piece and hit a goal-bound volley that was blocked by an Orlando defender. One minute later, Sofia Huerta curled a shot the far post that sent Anna Moorhouse scrambling, but the ball couldn’t sneak into the side netting.
Seattle continued to carve out half chances before Orlando earned a dangerous free kick just outside the box in the 72nd minute. Marta managed to get her effort up and over the wall, but Dickey read it well and collected the shot easily.
Orlando took a 1-0 lead in the 76th minute as Lizbeth Ovalle lofted a cross to the back post for Carson Pickett, who controlled the ball with her chest before picking out the side netting with a left-footed volley.
The Reign responded just three minutes later as Madison Curry clipped a ball into the box that found the feet of Bugg, who quickly settled the ball before striking a volley inside the near post.
Seattle’s best opportunity of the night came from a clever set piece routine in the 86th minute. Lining up 25 yards from goal, Huerta faked a shot on target before slipping a through-ball to Huitema, but Summer Yates produced a last-gasp slide tackle to break up the chance.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
GRITTY PERFORMANCE: In nine previous outings in 2025, the Pride had secured maximum points after taking a 1-0 lead. That all changed on Sunday afternoon as the Reign showcased their relentless mentality and clawed their way back into the match mere minutes after falling behind.
INSTANT REMATCH: With the Portland Thorns winning over the Houston Dash on Decision Day, the Reign and Pride will have a week to prepare for a postseason rematch in Orlando next weekend. While it was an even match in the regular season finale, Seattle proved they are unafraid of facing the reigning champs on the road.
REIGN TOGETHER: Now that the dust has settled, the path forward is clear. As they’ve done all year long, the Reign will rally together and begin their quest for a first-ever NWSL Championship in club history. Following an exciting campaign that saw young stars and timeless veterans forge a collective bond, the Reign are just three wins away from lifting a trophy.
Stay tuned for more information about official Watch Parties and opportunities to support the Reign next weekend.