In the final regular season meeting with the North Carolina Courage, and the first-ever match between the two teams at Memorial Stadium, Seattle Reign FC fell 2–1 to the visitors. This marks Reign FC’s first home loss of the season, ending their league-leading 15 match unbeaten streak at Memorial.
The loss marks Reign FC’s (6–5–6, 24 pts) first back-to-back losses since the 2015 NWSL season. Despite the loss, Reign FC extended their home scoring streak to 27 consecutive matches, good for most in the league.
“We had more chances than we’ve probably had against them [North Carolina] in any of the other three games, but I’m disappointed on the goals we conceded,” said Seattle Reign FC head coach and general manager Laura Harvey. “Our game management at the end of the game wasn’t good enough either. When you’re trying to score a goal, you’ve got to get the best opportunities to put the ball in the box and I don’t feel we did that. I asked the girls before the game to compete and show character, and I thought they did that. I thought they worked really hard at that.”
Despite several buildups into the offensive third from Reign FC to open the match, the Courage opened scoring in the in the 24th minute. Forward Jessica McDonald sent a ball into the box that forward Lynn Williams one touch passed to midfielder Sam Mewis. The midfielder took a one-time strike that went into the upper right corner of goal.
Reign FC was able to find the equalizer before the half, when midfielder Rumi Utsugi scored her first goal of the 2017 NWSL season in the 40th minute. Defender Merritt Mathias pushed forward from her outside back position, and laid the ball off to midfielder Lindsay Elston in space on the wing. Elston curled a cross into the box where Utsugi came on a trailing run to finish the chance.
Despite several buildups into the offensive third from Reign FC to open the match, the Courage opened scoring in the in the 24th minute. Forward Jessica McDonald sent a ball into the box that forward Lynn Williams one touch passed to midfielder Sam Mewis. The midfielder took a one-time strike that went into the upper right corner of goal.
Reign FC was able to find the equalizer before the half, when midfielder Rumi Utsugi scored her first goal of the 2017 NWSL season in the 40th minute. Defender Merritt Mathias pushed forward from her outside back position, and laid the ball off to midfielder Lindsay Elston in space on the wing. Elston curled a cross into the box where Utsugi came on a trailing run to finish the chance.
Utsugi was named Reign FC player of the match for her performance. The midfielder’s goal was her first this season, and the second of her Reign FC career. It was her first match back since the Tournament of Nations with Japan and played the full 90 minutes.
Tonight’s result sees Reign FC points total for the season remain at 24, and they fall to fifth place on the NWSL table. Other results this weekend saw the Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns FC, and Kansas City earn wins, while the Washington Spirit and Boston Breakers drew.
Reign FC’s next match is set for this Wednesday, August 16th as they head to Toyota Park to face the Chicago Red Stars. This is the final meeting between the two teams in the 2017 NWSL regular season. Kickoff is set for 5:00pm PT. The previous meeting between the two teams saw Reign FC earn a 2–1 win at home on June 28th.
