In the final match of the 2017 NWSL season, Seattle Reign FC earned a comeback victory in a 3–2 result over the Washington Spirit. This moves Reign FC’s all-time record against the Spirit to 8–4–1 in regular season meetings and 3–3–0 on the road.
The win improves Reign FC’s (9–8–7, 34 pts) current unbeaten streak against the Spirit to three consecutive matches. This marks the third consecutive year Seattle has ended the regular season with a road win.
The Spirit opened the scoring in the 27th minute of the match. Midfileder Meggie Dougherty Howard played in forward Mallory Pugh behind the defense, and Pugh was able to cut past goalkeeper Madalyn Schiffel to score on a tight angle.
Pugh doubled the lead for the home side in the 32nd minute. Midfielder Havana Solaun worked her way past the defense after a give-and-go with Dougherty Howard. Solaun then passed across an oncoming Schiffel to an open Pugh, who slotted it into the open net.
Reign FC’s comeback began in the 71st minute with a goal from midfielder Jessica Fishlock. Forward Kiersten Dallstream played a long ball over the Spirit defense to an oncoming Fishlock. The midfielder took one touch and then chipped it over Spirit goalkeeper DiDi Haracic to cut the deficit in half.
Forward Larissa Crummer’s first career NWSL goal came in the 83rd minute to tie the game at two goals apiece. Fishlock had the assist on the goal, playing in Crummer behind the defense. Crummer chipped the ball over Haracic to equalize.
The game-winning goal came in the 90th minute, from Fishlock. Crummer sent a low driven cross into the box that was touched onto Dallstream from forward Katie Johnson. Dallstream then dropped it back to Fishlock who fired it past Haracic into the upper corner of the net, making the scoreline 3–2.
Fishlock was named Reign FC player of the match. The co-captain scored seven goals during the course of the 2017 season, her second highest single season total in her career, with two of her final three goals either tying the match or winning the match for Reign FC.
Reign FC finish the year with 34 total points, good for fifth place on the NWSL table. With 43 total goals scored this season, Reign FC saw a 14 goal improvement over their offense from the 2016 NWSL season.
