One week after exploding for four goals against Sky Blue FC, Seattle Reign FC and Chicago Red Stars played to a 0–0 tie. The rainy conditions were less than favorable, and the match featured four yellow cards, but each team had its fair share of scoring chances.
Chicago started their attack with a corner kick in the 4th minute that Lydia Williams punched away. Seattle looked promising in the 7th when a series of passes found Jodie Taylor, who slipped behind the Red Stars’ defense. Taylor took a through ball from Megan Rapinoe and was in on goal, but could only get off a left-footed try that Alyssa Naeher saved.
The Red Stars’ offense put pressure on Reign FC in the first ten minutes, but could not muster any shots on goal. Dealing with a light drizzle and blustery wind, Reign FC’s 14th-minute corner kick could not produce a goal. The match’s first 20 minutes were highly-contested, with lots of hard challenges and back-and-forth action.
Jess Fishlock had the ball on her head in the 23rd minute from a dangerous spot. After elevating to receive the cross, she flung a ball wide of the net that could’ve given Seattle an early lead. Continuing the aggressive nature of the first half, Nikki Stanton picked up a yellow card minutes later.
Fishlock went down in the 35th minute after a tough tackle by Chicago. She regrouped after clutching her lower leg on the pitch for a few moments. Seattle’s Welsh midfielder had to briefly go the sideline before re-entering the match.
Rumi Utsugi was given an opportunity to score in the 39th minute. From almost an identical spot as her game-winner in Portland, Utsugi teed up a left-footed try. This time, she got a little too much air under it and sent the ball toward the Memorial Stadium scoreboard.
Chicago swung a corner kick into the area of Lydia Williams in the 42nd minute. Reign FC’s goalkeeper scrambled to make a save just underneath the bar, and then caught and held another shot seconds later. Right before halftime, a Red Stars free kick from Danielle Colaprico landed with Sam Johnson, who headed the ball up and out of play. This took the teams to halftime tied at 0–0.
At halftime, Seattle had the upper hand in both possession and shots on goal. The two sides combined for 10 fouls and seven corner kicks in the opening half. Saturday marked the first time Seattle was shut out in the first half since April 18 vs North Carolina. That match was also the last time Seattle did not have the lead after 45 minutes. Utsugi and Rapinoe led Reign FC with two shots on goal each in the match’s first half.
The second half opened with another yellow card for Chicago. Katie Naughton received the discipline for a wild takedown of Megan Rapinoe. Rapinoe took a shot on goal off the ensuing free kick, but sent the shot harmlessly wide of the net.
As would become a theme, another great scoring chance arose from a free kick. This one, in the 52nd minute, was taken by Chicago’s Colaprico. She tapped it to teammate Sofia Huerta, whose shot on goal was corralled by Lydia Williams.
Rapinoe made a valiant scoring effort in the 59th minute. Trying to reach a Jodie Taylor pass, Rapinoe slid into the penalty area attempting to nudge the ball past Chicago’s keeper. The attempt was unsuccessful, and the sides moved into the final third of the match tied at 0–0.
Action mostly stalled from that point on, save for a header on goal in the 64th minute by Julie Ertz. Rather than becoming the first goal of the evening, it was easily cradled by Lydia Williams. Rapinoe hurtled another shot at Naeher in the 68th minute, only for Chicago’s keeper to execute the save. This attempt was one of the better ones of the second half, a sure goal if not for Naeher’s efforts. For the second straight match, Seattle coach Vlatko Andonovski inserted Jasmyne Spencer for Nahomi Kawasumi in the final stages, looking to add some instant offense.
Rory Dames followed suit by substituting Yuki Nagasato for Julie Ertz in the 75th. Neither move had its desired intent, as the teams remained deadlocked at zero for the rest of the match. Huerta manufactured another shot in the 79th, but her low, lefty attempt skipped past the post. Bev Yanez also came on in the 87th minute for Jess Fishlock, but could not provide a winner. One final chance in the 89th minute was shut down when Arin Gilliland appeared at the last second to block Rapinoe’s shot.
The draw was just Seattle’s second of the season, and Chicago’s fifth in its last six matches. Seattle moves to 4–1–2 with 14 points as Reign FC extends its unbeaten streak to four matches. The club’s next home match on UW Medicine Pitch at Memorial Stadium comes on Sunday, June 3 against Orlando Pride. That match — presented by Washington Athletic Club — starts at 6 pm PDT.
Tickets for the June 3 match — which is Orlando’s only trip to Seattle this season — are available at www.reignfc.com/tickets.
