Match Recap: Reign FC Falls 2-0 to Washington
Seattle Reign FC fell 2-0 against the Washington Spirit at Audi Field on Sunday afternoon behind goals either side of halftime from Trinity Rodman.
The Reign provided the first test of the afternoon in the sixth minute as center back Jordyn Bugg nearly unlocked the Spirit’s back line with a through ball to Jordyn Huitema, but the ball was cut out a last-ditch tackle. A few seconds later, Sofia Huerta connected with Huitema on a driven cross toward the six-yard box, but the Canadian international wasn’t able to steer her headed effort on target.
After that strong start, the Reign spent most of the first half weathering attacking pressure from Washington.
The hosts nearly opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Rodman burst around the flanks and pulled the ball back to the penalty spot for Leicy Santos, but her ensuing shot sailed over the bar.
Six minutes later, Washington launched a dangerous counterattack down the flanks, but the play was broken up by a sliding challenge from Jess Fishlock to deny Paige Metayer’s cross.
The Spirit registered their first shot on target in the 30th minute when Deborah Abiodun received the ball on the turn at the edge of the box before firing a shot to the far post, but Claudia Dickey produced a diving save to keep the score level.
In the 33rd minute, Washington’s pressure finally paid off. Santos found a pocket of space in midfield before clipping a ball over the Reign’s backline for Rodman, who smashed a first-time effort into the back of the net.
After falling behind, Seattle began to grow into the match as Fishlock popped up all over the pitch and started probing the Spirit’s back line with through balls, but the Reign were unable to create any clear-cut chances.
The Reign nearly equalized in the 54th minute when Madison Curry won possession high up the pitch before slipping a pass into the path of Maddie Dahlien. The Seattle winger fired a shot inside the near post, but Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury produced a stunning reflex. Save.
Three minutes later, Huerta pounced on a miscued clearance by Kate Wiesner but her ensuing volley went high over the goal.
Seattle’s best chance of the match came in the 70th minute as Lauren Barnes pushed high up the pitch before curling a cross right onto the head of Huitema, but her headed shot went right to Kingsbury.
Washington doubled their lead in the 81st minute when substitute Croix Bethune burst behind Seattle’s back line before laying the ball off to Rodman, who fired a shot inside the far post.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
GAME OF MOMENTS: Although Washington dominated possession on Sunday afternoon, the Reign were rarely overwhelmed due to their excellent defensive structure. Most of the hosts chances came from speculative efforts from distance.
On the other side, the Reign managed to carve out a handful of high-quality opportunities, but could not capitalize in key moments.
MIDFIELD MEZA: A silver lining from the match was the play of Sam Meza in midfield. Operating in a double-pivot for the first 57 minutes, she covered every blade of grass and racked up eight tackles, two blocks, one interception, three clearances and 14 recoveries.
UP NEXT: The Reign return to the friendly confines of Lumen Field next weekend as they host Racing Louisville for their Youth Match. The last time these two sides met, Seattle picked up a gritty 1-0 road win back on May 17. Get tickets for the match HERE.