Reign FC Close out July Against Sky Blue FC

Reign FC
Reign FC
Jul 20, 2017 · 4 min read

This Saturday, Seattle Reign FC host Sky Blue FC for the second time this season. This is the final match between the two teams at Memorial Stadium during the regular season, with the final match set at Yurcak Field in August. This is the last match of July before the league takes a break in play for FIFA international competition.

Kickoff is set for 7:00pm PT. Fans can watch the match through the go90 app, go90.com, NWSL app, or nwslsoccer.com. They can also follow live play-by-play of the match at Reign FC’s official Twitter page, @ReignFC, and can join the conversation using the hashtag #SEAvNJ.

Reign FC’s (5–3–6, 21 points) previous match was a 1–1 tie with the Boston Breakers, and they currently sit in fifth on the NWSL table. The result improved Seattle’s undefeated home record to 4–0–4 this season, and extended the club’s league-leading home undefeated streak to 14 games.

“We know when we’re at home, we have to bring it, and we have to put on a big performance to get results,” said Seattle Reign FC head coach and general manager Laura Harvey. “We’re disappointed, and we didn’t think we did well enough. Boston is a much tougher team than they have been in recent years. They posed us some problems, but I felt we could’ve controlled the game a bit better than we did.”

Sky Blue FC’S (7–6–2, 23 points) previous match was a come from behind draw with the Chicago Red Stars. The match saw another goal from forward Sam Kerr, the NWSL leader in goals scored with 10.

“Our next six games are all against the teams above us, so taking that into account, this league is so tight, that if you can get points off the teams in and around you, especially ones above you, you can catch up to them,” said Harvey. “That’s what our motivation is. Yes, we want to get a better result and have a better performance against Sky Blue, so we know we’ve got to turn up and do it. We’ve got to make sure that the performance is one we’re proud of, and we can’t take it lightly.”

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Undefeated in their past three matches, Sky Blue have come from behind to earn points in their past two matches. Sky Blue leads the league in second half goals this season, with 16. Defensively, Reign FC have allowed the fourth highest percentage of second half goals this season.

“It’s always about us, what we’re willing to do with and without the ball, what we’re willing to concede defensively, and what we want to try and expose them on, in terms of attacking,” said Harvey. “They’re in great form. They’re in a position where they truly believe they can win games, which makes teams tough to play against.”

While Reign FC have scored in 25 consecutive home matches, the league-leading offense has cooled off in the past two matches, scoring just one goal. At one point Reign FC had scored five more goals than the next closest team, now they are just one goal ahead of the next closest team, this weekend’s opponent Sky Blue FC.

“In some ways, we’ve taken our foot off the gas after that three-game week, where I thought we were very good,” said Harvey. “We’ve got to put our foot straight back down on the gas because it’s going to be a tough, long road towards the playoffs if we don’t.”

Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi has scored two all-time goals against Sky Blue FC, and will look to score in consecutive matches for the second time this season. Reign FC have outscored teams 19 to eight at home this season.

Single match tickets and VIP experience packages are available for Saturday’s match. To purchase tickets, visit reignfc.com/tickets or call the Reign FC ticket office at (855) REIGN-FC.

Reign FC Match Forecast presented by The Seattle Times.

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Reign FC

Reign FC is a founding member of the nine-team National Women’s Soccer League. #LetItReign

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