Match Recap: Reign FC Falls 1-0 to Washington
On a mild Sunday night in Seattle, Reign FC fell 1-0 to the Washington Spirit on a late goal from Claudia Martínez.
The Reign started the match putting the Spirit under pressure from the first whistle, led by Sam Meza in the midfield. Just four minutes into the action, the Reign had their first chance on the goal, when a combination play led to Maddie Mercado receiving the ball inside the box. She cut it across her body and fired off shot, which took a deflection and went off the crossbar to earn the Reign’s first corner of the evening.
On the other side of the pitch, Seattle’s defense had first test of the night in the 10th minute, as Madison Curry was whistled for a foul outside just outside the 18-yard box. Though the kick was taken from a threatening position, it hit Seattle’s wall and was cleared from danger.
The half continued on, largely played in the middle of the pitch as both teams battled to take a hold of the match. Captain Sofia Huerta showcased her strong defensive skills in the 36th minute when Rosemonde Kouassi sped into the box, but Huerta made a strong recovery, cleanly winning the tackle and thwarting the danger.
To close out the first 45 minutes, the Spirit had their best chance of the half, as Trinity Rodman got on the end of an errant pass from Seattle and had her eyes set on goal, but her shot also sailed off target and the half ended in a 0-0 deadlock.
The Reign were on the front foot to start the second half, threatening Washington within the first two minutes. Maddie Dahlien used her speed out wide to bypass her defenders and cut just into the 18-yard box before sending a cross into space centrally, forcing Washington to concede a corner kick to prevent the Reign from scoring.
The left side of the field proved to be a pain point for the Spirit, as the Reign continued to generate offensive threats, filtering the ball through Curry, Dahlien and Mercado. Dahlien served up another cross in the 55th minute, finding the head of Nerilia Mondesir in the center of the box, recording the first shot on target on the night.
The three combined once again as Dahlien and Mercado completed a series of short passes to unlock space for Curry out wide. The outside back carried the ball down the left side of the field, centering it to find Mercado, but the forward’s backpedaling header was saved by Sandy MacIver in goal.
Though the Reign spent the majority of the half in offensive third of the field, the Spirit found the back of the net in the 84th minute to decide the match. Gabrielle Carle played a low ball into the box where substitute Claudia Martínez one touched it into the back of the net.
Next up, the Reign take on Gotham FC at Lumen Field in the club’s final home match until July. Get tickets to World Cup Night themed match on Friday, May 15 at 7:00 p.m. PT HERE.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
ADAMES HITS 50: Reign FC forward Emeri Adames subbed onto the pitch in the 79th minute of the match, making her 50th appearance for the club. She is the third-youngest player behind Olivia Moultrie and Kennedy Fuller in league history to reach this milestone.
MADI, MADDIE, MADDIE: Reign FC’s trio of Madison Curry, Maddie Dahlien and Maddie Mercado proved to be a threat on the left side of the field, challenging the opponent. The group totaled seven shots and five crosses.
ONE MORE TO GO: Reign FC only has one more home match before hitting the road and then going on an extended break from play in June. The squad will be looking to grab their first three points at Lumen Field in 2026 at the match on Friday, May 15 against Gotham FC.