Match Recap: Reign FC Splits Points with Houston on the Road
Seattle Reign FC picked up a point on the road on Friday night as they battled the Houston Dash to a 0-0 draw.
On a rain-soaked evening at Shell Energy Stadium, Seattle weathered a wave of pressure from the hosts for the first 10 minutes of the match. Claudia Dickey was called upon to save a Kat Rader free-kick from just outside the box in the 7th minute, and the U.S. Women’s National Team goalkeeper was up to the challenge.
Seattle wrestled control of the match in the 12th minute when Ainsley McCammon picked off a pass from a Houston defender before firing a shot from distance that forced Jane Campbell into a sprawling save. Maddie Mercado nearly scored from the ensuing corner kick when her right-footed effort arrowed toward the top corner, but Campbell once again produced an acrobatic save.
The Reign continued to enjoy success on set pieces, as a corner kick from Emeri Adames in the 26th minute found the head of Sam Meza, but her shot bounced wide.
Houston fired a warning shot five minutes later when Kate Faasse raced behind the Reign back line and attempted to lob Dickey, but her shot rolled wide of the post.
In the 39th minute, Mercado played a no-look, outside-the-foot pass into Fishel in the box. The Seattle striker settled the ball before firing off a left-footed shot that was saved by Campbell.
The best chance of the half came on the brink of halftime when Adames drove into the box and smashed a shot that crashed off the far post.
Houston controlled the first 15 minutes of the second half before the Reign once against established control of proceedings.
In the 60th minute, the Reign generated three chances in short order as Fishel nearly scored with two shots inside the box, and Madison Curry saw her shot from a corner rattle the crossbar.
Houston’s best chance of the night came in the 74th minute when Avery Patterson drove into the box and smashed a shot that took a deflection and struck the near post before the Reign cleared the danger.
Seeking all three points, both teams traded half chances in the final quarter of an hour. During one of Houston’s forays forward, McClernon came up clutch with a pair of blocked shots inside the box to see out the clean sheet.
The Reign return to action on Sunday, May 10, as they host Trinity Rodman and the Washington Spirit in the club’s annual Mother’s Day Match (4:00 p.m. PT | TICKET OFFERS)
KEY TAKEAWAYS
RISING TIDES: Seattle’s young stars rose to the occasion on Friday night, with Adames providing plenty of attacking thrust on the right wing. McCammon played several incisive passes, generated some quality chances and supplied some crucial defensive interventions. Meza put in a typically composed performance in midfield as she shielded the back four and helped link play in possession.
MASTERFUL MERCADO: With Fishel operating as the No. 9, Mercado moved back a line and slotted into an attacking midfield. The tactical adjustment paid dividends as Mercado repeatedly found pockets of space before creating chances for teammates. She also posted several of Seattle’s best shots in the final third and put in a gritty defensive shift.
ANOTHER SHUTOUT: Facing a Houston side that had registered nine goals through their first five matches, Seattle put in a collective defensive effort to secure a clean sheet – their third in the first seven matches of the campaign.