Seattle Reign FC beat the Orlando Pride 1-0 on Decision Day, lifted to victory by a goal from center back Jordyn Bugg. The match was played in front of 16,095 fans at Lumen Field and marked the end of Jess Fishlock’s NWSL regular season career.
NWSL icon Marta got the afternoon started from the center of the pitch and the Reign quickly took hold of the match. The home side opted to defend higher up the field, preventing the visitors from building out the back.
The left side of the field proved to be fruitful early on. Jess Fishlock got the ball on the run and centered it to Ainsley McCammon, but the young midfielder’s shot was blasted wide.
In the 17th minute, Nerilia Mondesir nearly gave Seattle the lead when she took a touch to lift the ball over goalkeeper Cosette Morché and beat the defense to head it toward goal, but Oihane produced a goal-line clearance to keep Seattle off the board.
The 23rd minute saw Fishlock thread a perfect ball through the heart of Orlando’s defense to Mia Fishel, whose ensuing shot forced a save from Morché, but the offside flag was raised and the play reset.
Just three minutes later, Maddie Mercado volleyed a shot toward goal, but once again, Morché made the save.
Mondesir continued to cause problems on the flank, beating her defender in the 43rd minute to cross the ball to Fishlock in the center of the box. The veteran headed it on frame, but it was parried wide.
After the half time break, the Reign once again came out on the front foot. In the 52nd minute, Claudia Dickey expertly distributed the ball to Sam Meza on the run. She flamed forward with the ball at her feet and found Mercado, who took a couple of touches before ripping a shot at goal, but it was saved.
In the 67th minute, Fishlock nearly got on the end of a cross on the back post, but the ball was knocked out for a corner kick, despite shouts for a handball in the box. It didn’t matter though, as the Reign took the lead on the ensuing corner kick.
Mondesir served the ball in to the front post, where Fishlock back-heeled it to Fishel. It deflected off the attacker to the feet of center back Jordyn Bugg, who made no mistakes as she calmly slotted it into the back of the net.
In the 82nd minute, a thunderous applause erupted as Reign OG Jess Fishlock made way for Sally Menti, marking the end of her final regular season appearance.
The Reign did well to manage the rest of regulation plus four minutes of stoppage time to secure their spot in the 2026 NWSL playoffs.
UP NEXT: Reign FC has clinched their spot in the 2026 NWSL Playoffs. Official details surrounding their quarterfinal match up will be released soon.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
FISHLOCK FINALE: This match marked the final regular season match of Jess Fishlock’s illustrious career with the Reign. She totaled 232 regular season appearances, 52 goals and 31 assists.
A BUGG’S LIFE: Defender Jordyn Bugg has a way of showing up for the Reign when it matters most. Her game-winning goal in the 68th minute of the match marked her second of 2026 and the fifth of her career.
SEATTLE SHOWS UP: The final attendance for the match was 16,095 fans – the highest of the season for Reign FC and third-highest regular season standalone attendance in club history.