Match Recap: Reign FC Picks Up a Point in Houston

On the road in Houston, the Reign recovered from a one-goal deficit to bring a point back to the PNW. Coming off of a Player of the Week performance, forward Jordyn Huitema found the game-tying goal, assisted by defender Sofia Huerta, who now owns the all-time NWSL assist record. 

After the sweltering Houston heat forced a brief delay, the Reign and Dash were off to the races. Houston got a quick start, Messiah Bright nearly getting in on goal in opening minutes of the match, but things quickly settled down as the match progressed.  

Seattle absorbed pressure from the home side, content to let them connect passes outside of dangerous spaces. Eight minutes into the match, the Reign won the ball and took advantage of the quick change in possession, stringing together a series of passes through the right half of the field. Nérilia Mondésir looped a ball into the box and Jordyn Huitema used her height to her advantage, flicking the ball on to Maddie Dahlien, who’s attempt went off target. 

The Reign continued to find success as they used swift passing sequences to draw in Houston’s high press before bypassing it. Though the Reign were getting into the final third, they were unable to find the final touch needed to get on the board. 

Houston found the best chance of the half in the 29th minute, when Danielle Colaprico was lurking outside the 18-yard box on a corner kick. The ball popped out to her feet and she fired off a shot from the top of the box, ringing it off the crossbar as she nearly gave the Dash the lead. 

The Dash held on to momentum until the end of the half, but Seattle had one more half chance, as Ji So-Yun's stellar footwork allowed her to cut the ball across her body and rocket a shot from distance, but it sailed over the bar. 

The second half got off to a hot start, as a mistake in Reign FC’s passing led to Houston goal from the foot of Yazmeen Ryan. Up a goal at home, Houston was happy to take control of the tempo of the match. 

However, the Reign found an equalizer against the run of play in the 57th minute of the match. Sofia Huerta served a ball into the box, over the heads of Houston’s backline from the right side of the field. Huitema, who was making a run into the box, got on the inside of her mark and headed the ball confidently into the back of the net. 

The home team continued to threaten for nearly the entirety of the second half, forcing the Reign to defend sharply to keep the march level. Claudia Dickey was called on to make a save in the 75th minute, as Ryan unleashed a shot from distance and forced Dickey to tip it over the bar. The Reign hunkered down through the final whistle, hanging onto the draw and bringing one point back to Seattle. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

HUITEMA: Named NWSL Player of the Week last week for her performance against Chicago that featured a goal and an assist, Huitema once again got on the scoreboard. Her game-tying goal in the 57th minute of the match was her third of the season. 

HUERTA: With her assist on Huitema’s goal, Huerta is now the all-time assist leader in the NWSL. The assist marks her first of the season, as she rejoined the team from loan in August. 

ROAD RECORD: With tonight’s draw, the Reign have managed to bring home points from seven of their nine road matches this season.

NEXT UP: The Reign have a quick turnaround this week, returning to Lumen Field in Seattle to take on San Diego Wave FC on Friday, August 29. Get tickets to the match HERE.