In a tough road environment at Orlando City Stadium, Seattle Reign FC secured a tough-earned point after battling Orlando Pride to a 1–1 tie. Allie Long scored her first goal as a member of Reign FC, finishing an assist from Megan Oyster. Marta notched the lone goal for Orlando on a second-half free kick from outside the box.
Both teams struggled to find a rhythm in the first ten minutes. Each side was familiarizing itself with its roster as they both welcomed back players from international duties. Action picked up soon after that, with Orlando launching two tough shots that were saved by Michelle Betos.
Seattle started to build possession in the 20th minute as it began to break Orlando’s press. Rumi Utsugi delivered a beautiful ball into the box for Jodie Taylor, who had her shot on goal blocked by an Orlando defender. Marta was able to get a shot on her preferred left foot in the 25th minute, but Reign FC deflected it away before it could bother Betos.
Orlando earned a free kick in the 30th minute and elected to have Christine Nairn take it. She sent a left-footed service into the penalty area, but Orlando could not get it into the net. Minutes later, Seattle built a menacing attack in Pride territory. After failing to clear the ball in the 33rd minute, Orlando left Allie Long open in front of the goal. Megan Oyster headed the ball to Long, who netted her first goal in a Seattle uniform.
Jess Fishlock had a chance to double Seattle’s lead right before halftime but sent a shot into the crowd. Through 45 minutes, Reign FC led 1–0. Despite being on the wrong side of the possession battle early in the match, Seattle held a 53–47 advantage at halftime.
Long’s goal gave Seattle a halftime lead for the third time in four matches. Reign FC is undefeated in 2018 when leading at halftime. The same is true of scoring the first goal. Seattle is now 2–0–1 on the season when ahead at halftime, and also 2–0–1 when putting the first goal on the scoreboard.
Vlatko Andonovski’s team played disciplined soccer throughout the first half. Michelle Betos made four saves in the first half, and her defense blocked two Orlando shots. Oyster’s assist on Long’s goal was her first of the season.
Orlando came out strong to start the second half, building a couple of advances into Seattle territory. Christen Westphal slid in to deny Alex Morgan of a chance right after the halftime break. Oyster blocked a shot from Nairn in the 53rd minute to spoil another Orlando chance.
Morgan Andrews came in as the first Reign substitute in the 57th minute. She replaced Jess Fishlock, who went down earlier after a tough challenge by the Pride’s Alanna Kennedy. One of Seattle’s better scoring chances came in the 59th minute when Taylor blistered a shot toward the bottom corner of the goal. A diving save from Pride’s Ashlyn Harris kept the score at 1–0.
Marta tied the score at 1–1 when with a free kick in the 61st minute from a few yards outside the penalty box. She curled a left-footed shot around Seattle’s wall and out of the reach of Betos. Jasmyne Spencer and Theresa Nielsen both entered in the last 20 minutes of regulation, relieving Bev Yanez and Westphal. Unfortunately for Seattle, neither could add another goal to put the team ahead, and the match ended in a 1–1 tie.
Reign FC takes the pitch again next Saturday, May 5 on the road against their fierce rival Portland Thorns FC. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 pm PT at Providence Park, and will be featured as the NWSL Game of the Week on Lifetime.
The team’s next home match is Saturday, May 12 against Sky Blue FC. Tickets can be purchased at reignfc.com/skyblue.
