Match Recap: Reign FC Earns Decisive 3-0 Win Over Kansas City Current in Spokane

Seattle Reign FC kicked off their three-match series in Spokane with a massive 3-0 win over the Kansas City Current, fueled by goals from Angharad James-Turner, Brittany Ratcliffe and Maddie Mercado. 

It took the teams a few minutes to settle into the match and once they did, the Current were the first to get into the attack, but didn’t pose a major threat to Claudia Dickey in goal. On the other end of the pitch, Madison Curry recorded the Reign’s first shot of the night, as she surged forward form her position at left back and carried the ball into the center of the pitch before sending her shot over the crossbar, much to the relief of Lorena in goal. 

Emeri Adames was the next Reign player to create a good chance for the Reign, picking up possession of the ball and dribbling straight at KC’s defense before feeding Jess Fishlock a pass into the 18-yard box, but the ensuing shot from Seattle’s captain was cleared from danger by the feet of Lorena. 

In the 16th minute, Adames continued to press on, kickstarting an attack with a long ball to the right side of the field to Ratcliffe. The veteran forward played Fishlock just outside the box and the midfielder beat two Kansas City defenders, eventually forcing them to foul her in order to stop the play.  

Sofia Huerta stepped up to take the free kick and nearly found the back of the net as her shot deflected off the wall and narrowly out for a corner kick. On the set piece from Adames, James-Turner freed herself on the far side of the box and locked in to drive a powerful volley to the far post, off Lorena’s fingers and into the back of the net to give Reign FC the lead. 

Less than 10 minutes later, the Reign doubled their lead in the Lilac City. Mercado sent Adames down the flank and she opted to play a pass to the feet of Huerta, who was lurking unmarked outside of the 18-yard box. The all-time league leader in assists did what she does best and looped a ball to the back post, finding the feet of Ratcliffe to volley it into the back of the net. 

The Reign showed no signs of slowing down as the 33rd minute brought a third goal, this time from Mercado. From nearly the same position as the previous goal, Huerta served up a cross into the middle of the box, where Mercado did well to keep herself unmarked and head home her first goal of the season. 

In the 38th minute, it seemed that the Reign may have found a fourth goal as no one stepped up to pressure Fishlock and she took the chance to send a shot at Lorena, but it ricocheted off the bottom of the crossbar toward the goal line, though it was ultimately not ruled a goal. 

The second half started with the Reign once again on the front foot, with Mercado finding a chance on goal less than a minute into the half. Kansas City found their footing and began to get into their attacking half of the field for the first time in the match. The 58th minute saw the visitors bring in a pack of offensive substitutes, livening up their attack. 

The Reign were asked to play solid defense in second half, but the team was up to the task. In the 83rd minute, substitute Maddie Dahlien used her speed to spur a promising play, dribbling the ball all the way into Kansas City’s 18-yard box, but as she cut toward the middle of the field, she was stopped by the backline. 

The Current pressed forward in stoppage time of the match, but their efforts were futile as the Reign shut them out, picking up their first three-goal shutout win since 2023.  

Up next, the Reign continue their homestand in Spokane, taking on Racing Louisville FC on Saturday, March 28. Tickets to the match are available HERE. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

HOME AWAY FROM HOME: In Reign FC’s first-ever match in Spokane, Washington, the team defeated the 2025 NWSL Shield Winners in a decisive 3-0 win. Backed by the home crowd at ONE Spokane Stadium, the Reign are just getting started in the Lilac City. Spokanites have two more chances to see the Reign in their city, on March 28 and April 4 as the team takes on Racing Louisville FC and Denver Summit FC.

BRICK WALL CLAUDIA: Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey made three saves on the night, holding Kansas City scoreless to earn her 14th shutout for the Reign, setting a new club record. 

FULL TEAM EFFORT: The match featured three different goal scorers for the Reign the first time since August 18 last season. Defender Sofia Huerta recorded two assists on the night, marking her fourth career multi-assist match, which ties the league record.