In their second consecutive road match, Seattle Reign FC fell 1–0 to the Chicago Red Stars. It was Reign FC’s first-ever loss at Toyota Park, earning a draw in their lone previous meeting at the venue.
The loss moves Reign FC’s (3–2–3, 12 pts) all-time record against the Red Stars to 3–5–4. Seattle has never defeated Chicago on the road, with an all-time record of 0–4–2. Reign FC’s all-time goal differential against the Red Stars remains positive, scoring 18 and allowing 17.
The first chance of the match came in the 28th minute, when midfielder Sofia Huerta found space on the break. Huerta fired a shot from just inside the box, but Haley Kopmeyer was able to make the diving save and keep the Red Stars off the board early.
After going into the half with the score tied 0–0, Reign FC came out quickly to start the second half. In the 46th minute, forward Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi dropped the ball off to midfielder Rumi Utsugi on a trailing run into the box. Utsugi put her shot on frame, forcing Alyssa Naeher to make a diving save to push the ball away.
The lone goal in the match came in the 49th minute from forward Christen Press, her fifth career goal against Reign FC, good for most all-time. Huerta had the ball on the wing, and after dribbling her way towards the endline, she passed the ball off to a cutting Press. Just outside the six-yard box, Press slotted the ball into the back of the net to make it 1–0.
Press had another chance in the 67th minute, but Kopmeyer kept the forward from doubling the lead. After winning the ball in the midfield, Press pushed forward and shot the ball at an angle once she entered the box. Kopmeyer pushed the ball wide to keep the score 1–0.
Kopmeyer was named Reign FC player of the match for her efforts. The goalkeeper made seven saves in the match, along with two clearances.
Today’s result sees Reign FC points total for the season remain at 12, currently sitting in fifth place on the NWSL table. Other results this weekend saw North Carolina, Washington, and Portland earn 2–0 victories.
After a break in NWSL play for the FIFA break, Reign FC will finish their three game road trip against FC Kansas City on June 17th. This is the first meeting between the two teams this season, with kickoff set for 1:00pm PT. The last meeting between these two teams was June 25th, 2016, with Seattle earning a point in a 0–0 tie on the road.
