Reign FC Defeats First-Place Kansas City Current
Seattle Reign FC picked up its third win of the season, downing the Kanas City Current 1-0 under the lights at Lumen Field on Friday night. This marks the Reign’s second home win this season and just the second defeat for the Current, who currently sit near the top of the NWSL table.
The Reign got off to a strong start against the Current, applying pressure and forcing Kanas City into turnovers all across the field. Backed by a vibrant home crowd, the Reign earned three corner kicks in the half, as well as three shots, two of which were on target.
Though possession was split nearly equally between the two teams in the half, the Reign spent a lot of time in the attack, eagerly searching for the opening goal. Defender Jordyn Bugg took the Reign’s first shot of the match in the eighth minute, attempting a shot from outside the box, but it was just off target.
On the other side of the field, goalkeeper Claudia Dickey was forced to make a diving save in the 21st minute when Current forward Haley Hopkins fired off a shot low to the right side of the goal, but the keeper did well to clear the danger.
Continuing to dictate the tempo of the match, the Reign found the opening goal in the 37th minute. Forward Lynn Biyendolo tallied for first goal for the Reign and 69th all-time regular season goal when forward Jordyn Huitema got on the end of a corner kick and headed the ball back to the top of the six-yard box, where Biyendolo was waiting to strike. The Reign held the lead through the halftime whistle.
Returning from the break, the Reign were forced to spend more time in their own half, defending an onslaught of ten shots from Kansas City, compared to the single blocked shot midfielder Sam Meza managed for the home side in the 51st minute.
The intensity of the match continued to build and the physicality increased, with the referee dishing out three yellow cards in a span of 15 minutes, including one Reign caution to defender Lu Barnes. In a tense moment for Seattle, it looked as though Kansas City had levelled the game in the 71st minute, but the play was called back for offside, and the match continued on.
Through the rest of the half, the Reign continued to work hard on defense. The Current held nearly 69% of possession in the final 15 minutes of the half and took six shots, forcing Dickey and the entire backline to remain solid through the final whistle.
Up to the challenge, Reign FC kept Kansas City off the board to pick up a massive three points at Lumen Field.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
BIYENDOLO: Forward Lynn Biyendolo scored her first Reign FC goal in the 37th minute of the match. The eventual game-winner marked her 69th regular season goal of all time.
HUITEMA: Forward Jordyn Huitema earned the assist on Biyendolo’s game-winning goal, notching her first assist of the season.
MEZA: Midfielder Sam Meza once again led the team in tackles with five, also adding three interceptions and two clearances.
UP NEXT: Reign FC continues its homestand at Lumen Field next Sunday, May 11 at 5:00 p.m. PT in the club’s Mother’s Day match. Get tickets HERE.