Match Recap: Seattle Reign FC Falls 2-0 in NWSL Quarterfinals
Seattle Reign FC’s 2025 season came to an end on Friday night, falling 2-0 against the Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in the NWSL Quarterfinals. Haley McCutcheon and Luana scored either side of halftime for the hosts.
Seattle started brightly, with midfielder Sam Meza buzzing all over the pitch and dictating the tempo of the game. But it was the hosts who registered the first chance on the night, as Angelina drew a save from Claudia Dickey with a long-range effort in the 5th minute.
Ten minutes later, the Reign nearly found an opener when Jordyn Huitema settled a cross from Nérilia Mondésir into the path of Sofia Huerta, but the wingback’s ensuing volley was saved by Anna Moorhouse.
Orlando responded quickly in the 17th minute as Cori Dyke squared a ball to the penalty spot for Julie Doyle, but the Orlando forward’s first-time effort went just over the bar.
The Pride took a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute when Doyle played a 1-2 with Marta before sliding a pass into the path of Haley McCutcheon, who swept the ball into the bottom corner.
Seattle weathered a spell of pressure after falling behind before battling back into the match. Huerta once again came close in the 32nd minute as she pounced on a knock down from Maddie Mercado, but her volleyed effort missed the target.
Huitema registered a pair of quality shots in the 37th minute, but both of her efforts were blocked by some last-ditch defending from the Pride.
The second half started with a similar high-octane pace as Ally Lemos forced Dickey into a flying diving save just two minutes after the restart.
Substitute Sally Menti nearly scored with her first touch as her free kick in the 63rd minute appeared destined for the top corner, only to clip the bottom of the crossbar before being cleared by Orlando.
Battling for an equalizer, the Reign began to dominate the match. Substitute Maddie Dahlien carved out three quality chances in quick succession, but was unable to find a breakthrough.
Mercado created the best opportunity of the night in the 76th minute when she rolled her defender in the box and fired a shot to the far post, but Moorhouse pulled out a spectacular kick save.
In the 84th minute, Meza, Menti and Mercado all fired off shots from inside the box, but each one was repelled by Orlando defenders.
With Seattle throwing numbers forward late in the match, Marta went on a full-field solo run in the closing seconds of the game before earning a penalty. Substitute Luana stepped up and scored from the spot deep into stoppage time to secure the result.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
REIGN TOGETHER: Despite conceding a goal against the run of play midway through the first half, the Reign rallied together and continued to fight. The team’s grit and belief never wavered, and they pushed the defending champions to the final whistle.
A SEASON TO BE PROUD: After missing out on the playoffs in 2024, Seattle bounced back this season and finished as the No. 5 seed in the hyper-competitive NWSL table. Icons and young stars came together to return this club where they belong – in a position to fight for trophies.
LU’S LEGACY: In her final game for Reign FC, the 13-year veteran and captain of the squad broke one last record. Previously tied with former teammate Megan Rapinoe for most playoff appearances, Barnes now stands alone atop the record list, with 12 postseason matches played.