Match Recap: Reign FC Falls 3-2 in New York City

After weathering a delay of over 2.5 hours, Reign FC scored two first half goals at Icahn Stadium but ultimately fell 3-2 to Gotham FC. 

The home side started the match on the front foot, but the Reign quickly flipped the script, stringing together a quality attacking opportunity just four minutes into the match, led by Mia Fishel. Instead of shooting the ball herself, the forward opted to set up Sally Menti for a shot in front of goal, but Menti’s shot was blocked. 

The Reign continue to press forward and their hard work paid off in the 12th minute of the match, when Maddie Dahlien used her speed to carry the ball forward, cutting inside and finding the feet of Maddie Mercado on the right side of the box. However, Mercado’s attack was interrupted as she was taken out by Mandy Freeman, earning a penalty kick. 

Fishel stepped up to take the kick and was collected as ever as she dispatched a shot to the lower right side of the goal to give Reign FC lead and open her NWSL account. 

Now up a goal, the Reign moved across the pitch with a renewed sense of confidence, dominating control of the match.  

Seattle doubled their lead in the 22nd minute, as the Maddie-to-Maddie connection proved to be a real problem for Gotham’s defense. 

From the backline, Phoebe McClernon played a long ball to Dahlien down the left side of the field and the speedy attacker easily controlled it, dribbling nearly to the six-yard box before cutting the ball into the center of the field, where Mercado’s late run left Gotham helpless. 

After the second goal, the Reign’s momentum slowed down and Gotham shifted into the attack. Though they were able to get into the attacking third, the New York/New Jersey-based team lacked the quality needed to find the back of the net. 

After the halftime break, Gotham quickly got into the attack, going head-to-head with Reign FC’s backline. Cassie Miller was called on to make a save 49 minutes into the match as substitute Esther González headed the ball toward goal. 

In the 50th minute, Dahlien once again carried the ball forward for Seattle, searching for Mercado in the box. She played a low ball, nearly connecting with Menti, who was taken down during the play, before finding Mercado. The play went to review and it was determined that Emily Sonnett fouled Menti on the play and Reign were awarded another penalty kick. Dahlien stepped up to take it, but her shot went off the woodwork and the match remained 2-0. 

Miller was tested by substitute Sam Kerr on back-to-back attempts in the 65 and 66th minutes of the match, but she made no mistakes as she kept the ball out of the back of the net. 

Seattle spent the final 15 minutes of the match defending, which allowed Gotham to find their first goal back in the 81st minute of the match. Jaedyn Shaw found González on the back post, where she volleyed the ball soundly into the back of the net. 

Gotham leveled the match four minutes into stoppage time, as Shaw and González connected once more. 

The home team sealed the deal just three minutes later as they continued to apply pressure to the Reign. Kerr danced on the ball around the 18-yard box before sliding it just right to Rose Lavelle. The USWNT midfielder one-touched her shot into the upper left corner of the goal to close out the match. 

UP NEXT: Seattle Reign FC continues their road stretch, traveling down the west coast to take on San Diego Wave FC on Sunday, July 26. The match kicks off at 2:00 p.m. PT on CBS Sports Network. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

FISHEL’S FIRST: Reign FC forward Mia Fishel opened her NWSL account in the 14th minute of the match as she converted a penalty kick. She is the 10th Reign player to find the back of the net this season. 

MERCADO MAGIC: Maddie Mercado struck for the second consecutive match, doubling Reign FC’s tally in 22nd minute of the match. She leads Seattle in goalscoring this season, with four goals. 

RETURN OF FISHLOCK: Reign FC original Jess Fishlock subbed onto the field in the 83rd minute of the match, making her long-awaited return to play after sustaining an injury in April. This marks the midfielder’s first appearance since April 26 and just her second since April 4. 

WELCOME, RUBY: Midfielder Ruby Hladek subbed onto the field for Maddie Mercado in the 90th minute of the match, marking her NWSL debut. The former Utah Valley University star is contracted with Reign FC through August.