Match Recap: Reign FC falls a goal short in Washington, D.C.
At Audi Field, Seattle Reign FC fell 2-1 to the Spirit, conceding a goal in each half of play.
From the first whistle, it was clear that the match would be fast-paced and physical under the sun in Washington, D.C. Just five minutes into the action, Maddie Dahlien was fouled in the attack, forcing an early yellow card on Élisabeth Tsé. The ensuing free kick was taken by captain Sofia Huerta, but the Reign were unable to direct it on the target.
The momentum of the match slowly shifted in favor of Washington and the Reign hunkered down to defend an onslaught of attacks. In the 12th minute of the match, Holly Ward was defending a play just outside of the box and collided with Trinity Rodman, resulting in a yellow card and free kick for the home side.
Leicy Santos stepped up to the take the kick and directed it toward the back post, where it went untouched the entire way and found the back of the net to open the scoring in the match.
In the 23rd minute, Washington strung together a quick attack that saw Rodman released on the left side of the field. The speedy attacker got into the box with the ball at her feet and squared up to take a shot toward Claudia Dickey, but Phoebe McClernon’s recovery run arrived just in time, and she blocked the shot, clearing the danger.
The Reign continued to keep a solid defensive shape as the Spirit enjoyed the majority of the attack, but the team’s discipline paid off in the 44th minute, when Maddie Mercado led a strong press, forcing the Spirit to the play the ball back toward their own goal. The pressure forced an errant touch from Lucia Di Guglielmo, which bypassed Sandy MacIver in the net to level the score at the end of the first half.
Returning from the locker room, Head Coach Laura Harvey opted to make two halftime subs, bringing on Sam Meza and Nerilia Mondesir in the place of Ainsley McCammon and Ward respectively.
Seattle started the half on the front foot and managed to dictate the tempo for the majority of the final 45 minutes. Meza immediately made her presence known in the midfield, breaking up three consecutive Spirit attacks.
In the 58th minute, Sally Menti went down in the box appealing for the penalty kick, but the referee allowed play to continue. Pushing forward again, the Reign had two of their best attacking opportunities of the match back-to-back.
First, Mercado played a low cross from the left side of the field to Menti in the middle of the box, but she couldn’t quite connect. Huerta was there to recycle the play, lofting another cross into the box, this time to the back post, but Washington managed to put it out for a corner.
In the 81st minute, Washington retook the lead as Rodman found Hal Hershfelt in the middle of the field. She opted to carry the ball toward goal herself and release a shot from outside the box, which took a deflection into the back of the net.
In the dying minutes of the match, Dickey made a stellar save to prevent Washington from adding another goal to their tally as Rosemonde Kouassi took a close-range shot from the six-yard box
KEY TAKEAWAYS
MIGHTY MERCADO: Reign FC forward Maddie Mercado was a difference maker throughout her 87-minute performance and was the catalyst for Seattle’s lone goal in the match. Her quick pressure on Washington’s defense forced an errant touch into the back of the net, leveling the match at the time.
MAESTRO MEZA: Sam Meza subbed into the midfield at halftime and made an impact in the match, controlling the middle of the pitch. She won 100% of her tackles and was tied for the most tackles of any Reign player, in addition to adding an interception and clearance in the match.
LAST ONE UNTIL JULY: The Reign now have a long break from play as the NWSL observes a month-long hiatus in June. Though there won’t be any league matches, many Reign players will join their national teams, including Claudia Dickey, Holly Ward, Angharad James-Turner, Jordyn Bugg, Maddie Dahlien, Mia Fishel, Neeku Purcell, Emeri Adames, Ainsley McCammon and Evan O’Steen.
