Match Recap: Reign FC splits points with Denver to wrap up Spokane series
Seattle Reign FC finished up its homestand in Spokane, Wash., with a 0-0 draw against NWSL expansion side Denver Summit FC. The Reign wrapped up their spell in Spokane with seven points from three matches.
Denver generated the first dangerous moment of the match in the 5th minute when Janine Sonis played a cross to the back post that drifted toward goal and clipped the crossbar.
Seattle responded five minutes later when Jess Fishlock flicked a header into the path of Maddie Mercado, who drove into the box and fired a shot to the near post that forced a smart kick save from goalkeeper Abby Smith.
Sonis got into the mix again in the 23rd minute as the outside back uncorked a powerful shot from the edge of the box, but Claudia Dickey corralled the effort with ease.
Seattle continued to pile on the pressure as Mercado played Emeri Adames into acres of space in the 25th minute. The U.S. Youth National team star burst into the box and struck a powerful shot to the near post, but Smith came up with a clutch diving save.
Two minutes later, Adames played a no-look pass into an overlapping Sofia Huerta, whose cross found Fishlock at the near post, but the NWSL legend’s goal-bound volley was blocked out for a corner by a Denver defender.
The Summit nearly grabbed a goal against the run of play in the 29th minute as Melissa Kössler struck a venomous shot from inside the box, but Dickey managed to get a fingertip on the ball to push it onto the crossbar.
Denver carved out a pair of quality chances in the 41st minute, but Emily Mason produced last-second interventions on both occasions to deny a shot on target.
The Reign maintained their momentum to start the second half as Fishlock set up Huerta for a shot inside the box in the 49th minute, but her effort was denied by a recovering defender.
In the 57th minute, Adames drove a teasing cross into the box that found the near-post run of Mercado, but the forward’s first-time effort went just over the bar.
Denver’s best chance of the evening came in the 72nd minute when Ryan curled a ball to the pack post for Solis, but Dickey made the ensuing save look easy.
After weathering a spell of pressure from the visitors, Seattle nearly grabbed a winner in second half stoppage time. Coco Mondesir cut inside to fire a shot, but her effort took a deflection and floated into the box. Mercado rose above the fray but her header went just over the bar.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS: Even with absences from key players like Jordyn Bugg, Mia Fishel and Lynn Biyendolo, the Reign still managed to flex their depth on Saturday night. Looking to refresh their midfield midway through the second half, Laura Harvey brought on two rising stars in NWSL, Sally Menti and Ainsley McCammon, to see out the match. Needing a goal late in the match, Harvey swapped Adames with Brittany Ratcliffe, who already has two goals on the season.
DICKEY MAKES HISTORY: Fresh off breaking Reign FC’s record for most career shutouts by a goalkeeper, Dickey etched her name into the history books once again against Denver. Seattle’s goalkeeper set a new club record for most career saves with 190 surpassing Hope Solo.
CLUB & COUNTRY: The Reign will have a couple weeks off for an international window before resuming NWSL play. Seattle has eight players representing their respective countries during the break across youth and senior national teams. For Seattle sports fans, Dickey and the U.S. Women’s National Team will play against Japan at Lumen Field on April 14th.
Reign FC is offering fans a special Club & Country ticket pack, providing the opportunity to experience both international and NWSL action at Lumen Field this spring. The two-match pack includes tickets to see the USWNT vs. Japan match as well as and Reign FC’s showdown against defending NWSL Champion Gotham FC on May 15. Check out the ticket offers, plus exclusive merchandise HERE.
