In the first of two consecutive matches against the North Carolina Courage, Seattle Reign FC fell 1–0 on the road in Cary, North Carolina. This is Reign FC’s fourth loss of the season, all on the road and all in shutout fashion.
The loss makes Reign FC’s (6–4–6, 24 pts) road record this season 1–4–2. Reign FC are 1–0–2 on the road when scoring in the first half, but were unable to find the back of the net against the Courage’s league-leading home field defense.
“I thought it was a close game between the two teams… we had a couple of good chances to get opportunities, but didn’t really push past the belief to get three points,” said Seattle Reign FC head coach and general manager Laura Harvey. “I felt we were in the game for 90 minutes but couldn’t quite get past our 6 or 7 level that we needed to do to get points here tonight. We’ve got to be more goal dangerous and turn up and make sure we put in a performance that nullifies their threat and put our threat on the field as much as we can.”
The lone goal of the match came in the 32nd minute. Courage midfielder Makenzy Doniak won the ball on the wing and sent a low cross along the top of the box. Forward Lynn Williams took one touch and sent her shot to the far corner of the net, just past the outstretched hands of Haley Kopmeyer.
After heading into the half down one goal, Reign FC pushed to find the equalizer in the second 45 minutes. They came close in the 64th minute of play. Forward Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi sent a cross into the box, and forward Beverly Yanez was able to get on the end of it. Yanez’s shot was deflected, and fell to the feet of midfielder Jessica Fishlock. Fishlock couldn’t quite get off a clean shot, and North Carolina goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland pushed the attempt out of bounds.
Fishlock would have another chance to tie the match in the 75th minute. Forward Katie Johnson won the ball off a defender in the final third of the field. Johnson cut back and played the ball to Fishlock who was wide open in the box on a trailing run. Fishlock’s one touch shot was over the crossbar.
Rachel Corsie was named Reign FC player of the match for her performance. The defender played the full 90 minutes returning to the lineup after missing time with the Scotland women’s national team playing in the UEFA Women’s EUROs.
Tonight’s result sees Reign FC points total for the season remain at 24, and maintains their position of fourth place on the NWSL table. Other results this weekend saw Portland Thorns FC and the Washington Spirit earn wins, while Boston, Kansas City, Orlando, and Chicago earned draws.
Reign FC return home on August 13th to face the North Carolina Courage for the first time at Memorial Stadium and the final time in the 2017 regular season. Kickoff is set for 6:00pm PT.
