Match Recap: Reign FC Falls 2-0 in Kansas City
Seattle Reign FC fell 2-0 to the No. 1 ranked Kansas City Current on the road in Missouri.
From the first whistle, the Kansas City Current hit the gas pedal in the attack, pressing the Reign into their own defensive third. Seattle weathered the storm from the Current, conceding 65% of possession but allowing just one shot on target in the first 15 minutes of the match.
That one shot on target required an impressive save from Claudia Dickey in goal, as Temwa Chawinga surged down the right side of the field, eventually crossing the ball in search of Debinha in the center of the box, who was well-marked by Reign FC’s backline. However, the ball continued through the box to the back post, where Ally Sentnor fired off a close range shot, but Dickey had it handled.
Approaching the halfway point of the first 45 minutes, the Reign began to break through Kansas City’s pressure on occasion, with Sam Meza doing well to win possession of the ball for the Reign and kickstart the transition into the attack. With each passing minute, the match became more physical, both sides doing the most they could to create chances.
In the 34th minute, the Current took the lead in the match, on a penalty kick converted by Debinha. The kick was awarded to the home team after video review determined there was a handball in Reign FC’s 18-yard box.
As the Reign saw out the rest of the first half, Dickey was called on to make another diving save, as Debinha blasted a shot toward goal from the edge of the 18-yard. The ball was headed for the lower right corner of goal, but Dickey got her hands to it, pushing it off frame and out of danger.
After halftime, Head Coach Laura Harvey made two changes, subbing on Sally Menti and Maddie Dahlien in the place of Lauren Barnes and Angharad James-Turner. It was clear from the start of the half that the Reign were ready to battle as the momentum of the match slowly shifted.
In the 49th minute, Seattle earned a dangerous free kick and Sofia Huerta stepped up to serve the ball into the box. Her perfectly placed ball forced Hailie Mace to put the ball out of the play and urged the team forward.
The 65th minute brought another attacking opportunity for the Reign, as the team strung together a quality passing sequence. The promising play was interrupted by a Kansas City handball about four yards outside the 18-yard box, but the ensuing free kick was blocked out of danger by the Current’s wall and play continued on.
Kansas City doubled the lead in the 74th minute of the match, on a quick attack that saw Bia Zaneratto’s shot blocked, but Chawinga was there to clean it up and add KC’s second goal of the night.
In stoppage time, the Reign earned a free kick as Jess Fishlock was fouled and opted to restart play quickly, appearing to be in on goal, before the referee called the ball back to its starting position to be retaken. Through the 10 minutes of stoppage time, Seattle found one last shot, but it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback on the road.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
MEZA: Sam Meza was a key player in the middle of the field for the Reign, winning possession of the ball nine times.
SERIES: The head-to-head series between the Current and Reign now sits at 6 wins, 6 losses and one draw.
UP NEXT: The Reign are back home at Lumen Field taking on the North Carolian Courage on Sunday, September 28 at 5:00 p.m. PT. Get tickets to the match HERE.