Seattle Reign FC fell 3–0 to the Boston Breakers in their first road match of the 2017 NWSL season. This is Reign FC’s first loss on the season, and their first-ever loss to the Breakers, making their all-time record against the Boston side 9–1–1.
The loss marks the first time Reign FC (1–1–1, 4 pts) have been shutout by the Breakers. Seattle’s all-time goal differential against Boston remains in positive, having scored 24 goals and allowed only 11.
Boston’s first goal came in the 11th minute of the match, when Adriana Leon was able to win possession inside Reign FC’s penalty box. Leon slipped the ball past Haley Kopmeyer, her first goal against Reign FC as a Breaker, to give Boston the 1–0 lead.
Rose Lavelle doubled the lead in the 15th minute with her first professional goal. Leon laid it off to Lavelle just inside the 18-yard box, and she finished her chance to make the scoreline 2–0.
Reign FC’s most dangerous chances in the first half came from Megan Rapinoe. In the 26th minute, Rapinoe found herself sprinting forward alone on the break. She fired a shot from outside the box, but Abby Smith was able to collect.
Rapinoe had another close chance in the 42nd minute, when her free kick was just wide off the post. The teams went into halftime with Boston leading 2–0. It is the first time this season Reign FC have trailed at the half.
The Breakers found the back of the net for a third time in the second half. Natasha Dowie was played in by Leon, and she finished her chance to make the scoreline 3–0.
Seattle came close to grabbing a goal in the 80th minute, when Rumi Utsugi found herself one-on-one with Smith inside the six-yard box. Rapinoe set the play up, slotting Utsugi in behind the defense. Smith deflected Utsugi’s shot out for a corner kick.
Utsugi was named player of the match for her effort in the loss, notching one shot on goal and completing 91% of her passes in the match. This was Utsugi’s second consecutive start of the season.
Tonight’s result sees Reign FC remain on four points for the season, dropping to fifth place on the NWSL table. Other results today saw Portland Thorns FC, the North Carolina Courage, and the Houston Dash earn wins.
Up next, Reign FC finish their two-game road trip against Portland Thorns FC on May 6th. This is the first meeting between the Cascadia rivals this season, with kickoff set for 7:00pm PT at Providence Park in Portland, OR. The last meeting between these two teams was August 27th, 2016, with Seattle earning a 3–1 victory at Memorial Stadium.
