Match Recap: Reign FC Falls 2-0 to Gotham FC
On a rainy night in Seattle, Reign FC fell 2-0 to Gotham FC, on goals from Jaedyn Shaw and Tierna Davidson. A chess match from the first whistle, the first 15 minutes of play saw the visitors enjoy the majority of possession in the match as both teams settled in under the Friday Night Lights at Lumen Field.
The Reign’s first threatening opportunity of the match came in the 14th minute as the team worked to apply pressure on Gotham, forcing an error in front of goal. Nerilia Mondesir cleaned it up and sent a low shot toward goal, but it was easy work for Ann-Katrin Berger in the net.
Just three minutes, Seattle strung together a promising attack, as Mondesir once again won possession from Gotham. She played the ball out to Maddie Dahlien, who outpaced her defenders as she carried the ball forward, eventually serving a cross to the back post, searching for Emeri Adames. However, Savannah McCaskill stepped in to thwart the attack.
As the match continued on, it became more physical, both teams urging the pendulum of momentum to swing in their favor. Gotham’s Jaedyn Shaw earned the first yellow card of the match in the 22nd minute, but two minutes later, opened the scoring of the match as Jordynn Dudley dribbled the ball into the box and dished up a low cross. McCaskill received the ball at the top of 18-yard box and found Shaw, who turned and found the back of the net.
After the halftime break, the teams made one change apiece, Gotham subbing on Emily Sonnett for Jess Carter and the Reign bringing Maddie Mercado on for Adames. Ten minutes into the half, Seattle's center back Phoebe McClernon spurred on the most dangerous attack on the night. Her fast pressure paid off as she won the ball in an advanced position and quickly dribbled forward, precisely cutting a cross to the top of 18-yard box, where Mondesir connected with it, but her shot went high.
The 57th minute saw Gotham FC double their lead, off a corner kick. The ball bounced around the box, finding a couple of Gotham players before falling to the feet of Tierna Davidson, who was lurking at the six-yard box. She made no mistakes as she one-touched it into the back of the net from close-range.
Fresh-legged Brittany Ratcliffe pieced together one the Reign’s best attacking opportunities of night as she surged forward in the attack, earning a shot on target in 85th minute of the match. Seattle continued to press forward to find a goal in the match, but were unable to mount a comeback, falling 2-0 in their final match at Lumen Field until July 12.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
JB RETURNS: Defender Jordyn Bugg made her 2026 debut as she spent the beginning of the season out with injury. She subbed into the match in the 72nd minute and aided the Reign in keeping Gotham off the score sheet for the final 20 minutes of the match.
NIGHT OF MILESTONES: Defender Phoebe McClernon reached 100 NWSL regular appearances in the match, alongside Sofia Huerta, who reached 100 Reign FC regular season appearances.
ROADTRIP UP NEXT: Reign FC closes out the month of May with two road matches before going on a month-long break in June. The team first travels to take on Boston Legacy FC before traveling down the east coast to take on the Washington Spirit,