The Seattle Reign’s 2026 campaign came to a close on Sunday following a 1-0 loss on the road No. 1 seed Gotham FC in the opening round of the NWSL Playoffs.
The match got off to a rocky start for the Reign as Gotham took the lead in the 4th minute. Jordyn Bugg attempted to clear a driven ball toward the near post, but an unfortunate deflection resulted in an own goal.
Seattle responded immediately as Nerilia Mondesir nearly put Maddie Mercado through on goal in the 9th minute, but it was intercepted at the last second by Tierna Davidson. Three minutes later, Jess Fishlock spotted Ann-Katrin Berger off her line and attempted to chip the Gotham keeper from near midfield, but the German international recovered to make the save.
Seattle nearly equalized in the 36th minute when Fishlock intercepted a pass from Davidson and struck a powerful shot that seemed destined for the bottom left corner, but it rolled just wide of the near post.
In first half stoppage time, a corner kick from Mondesir found the run of Fishlock, who flicked it on to Sofia Huerta at the edge of the area. The veteran defender got a good look at goal but her first-time effort rose over the crossbar.
Fighting for their playoff lives, Seattle came flying out of the gates to start the second half.
Mondesir nearly caught Berger out at her near post with a tight angle shot in the 49th minute. Two minutes later, Fishel rolled Davidson with a slick turn and struck a left-footed shot that arrowed toward the top corner, but Berger produced a stunning fingertip save to deny it. Then, in the 51st minute, Huerta picked out Fishlock near the top of the box, but the Reign OG’s curled effort missed the top corner by mere inches.
Gotham nearly added a second in the 58th minute when Davidson’s header from a corner kick took a deflection en route to goal, but Claudia Dickey scrambled and pulled out a flying save.
The Reign appeared to equalize in the 59th minute when Fishlock latched onto a through ball from Mercado before rolling it to the back post for Mondesir to smash home, but it was whistled back for offside.
Seattle nearly levelled once again in the 71st minute when Fishlock intercepted a pass and played Mercado into the box. The Reign’s leading goal scorer in 2026 curled a shot to the far post, but Berger came up clutch with another diving stop.
In the 78th minute, Sally Menti drove into the final third and played fellow substitute Brittany Ratcliffe into the box, but the winger’s shot was denied by a last-gasp tackle.
The Reign continued to pile on the pressure in the 84th minute as Menti drove past Davidson in the box and cut her shot back across goal, beating Berger in net but missing the near post by inches.
Seattle continued to test Gotham’s back line, but were unable to find the equalizer as their 2026 campaign came to a close.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
FOUGHT TIL THE END: Facing off against the reigning NWLS champs, the Reign went toe-to-toe and arguably outplayed the No. 1 seed. Seattle had the better opportunities in the first half and dominated most of the second interval but were unable to translate that control into end product. The Reign generated the best opportunities on the day, but a combination of narrow mises and clutch goalkeeping kept them off the scoresheet.
MAKING SEATTLE PROUD: This season has been defined by the Reign’s grit, determination and undeniable desire to compete. Veterans like Dickey, Huerta and Fishlock produced all season long, while a new generation of stars like Menti, McCammon, Meza, Mercado, Bugg and Dahlien cemented their status as one of the most exciting young cores in the league. Every player on the roster contributed and personified the fighting spirit that have defined the Reign since 2013.
FAREWELL TO A LEGEND: Sunday marked the end of an era as Jess Fishlock played her final match for Seattle Reign FC. A legend whose legacy can’t be captured in words alone, the club’s last remaining OG laid the groundwork for the stars of today’s game. In her last season as a professional, the 39-year-old midfielder showed why she’s one of the NWSL best players to ever grace the pitch, posting four goals and an assist as she guided the team to another postseason berth.