In a highly-anticipated showdown between the top two teams in the NWSL standings, Seattle Reign FC lost to the first-place North Carolina Courage by a 4–1 margin. Crystal Dunn scored two goals to lead the way for the Courage. Megan Oyster notched her first goal of the season, while Lydia Williams got her hands on 10 saves.
Intensity swelled early, as North Carolina was given a penalty kick in the seventh minute off a handball from Steph Catley in the box. The Courage sent Lynn Williams to the penalty spot looking for an early lead, but Lydia Williams dove low to her left and kept the shot out. In the 13th minute, North Carolina won a corner kick. Debinha whipped a ball in front of the net, finding Jess McDonald, whose goalward header was blocked away.
Williams made two more massive saves in the 15th minute, stopping a breakaway and the follow-up shot from North Carolina. Keeping the Courage off the scoreboard allowed Seattle to take an early 1–0 lead minutes later. After Merritt Mathias fouled her on the left wing, Megan Rapinoe took Seattle’s free kick. She surprised Courage goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland by putting the ball on frame from a difficult angle. Rowland handled Rapinoe’s initial shot, but the rebound fell perfectly on the right foot of Megan Oyster, standing just inches away from the goal line. Oyster blasted a shot into the top of the goal for her first goal of the year, putting Reign FC on top 1–0 in the 18th minute.
Seattle’s lead would not hold for long. In the 27th minute, Jaelene Hinkle zipped a cross toward Lynn Williams in the center of the box. Williams got under it and headed the ball home for her fourth goal of the season. This ended Lydia Williams streak of not being scored on at 415 minutes, and tied the game at 1–1.
The Courage struck again in the 33rd. Lynn Williams played her teammate Crystal Dunn, who wound up for a shot just inside the 18. Despite the best efforts of Lydia Williams, the shot skipped past her to give North Carolina a 2–1 advantage.
As the clock struck 38’, Jodie Taylor was brought down in the box. She looked to the referees, but no foul was called, and play continued. A wild sequence in the 40th minute sent both Taylor and Elizabeth Addo to the turf in separate incidents. When the dust settled, Bev Yanez had the ball on her right foot for a scoring opportunity. She picked out a spot on the far post and let a shot fly. The powerful strike just narrowly missed tying the game, soaring past a diving Rowland, and the post, for a goal kick.
Just before half, North Carolina tried to capitalize on a free kick, but couldn’t put together a real chance. The half ended with the Courage in front 2–1. Each side displayed world-class talent throughout the half, and the possession battle was nearly 50–50. Seattle took advantage of the three first-half fouls committed by North Carolina, turning one of them into a set piece goal.
Reign FC came out firing to begin the second half. In the 46th minute, Rapinoe floated a lefty cross into a dangerous spot for North Carolina’s defense. The ball was perfectly placed for Yanez, whose header was a bit too tall for an equalizer. As play moved to the other side of the pitch, former Reign FC defender Merritt Mathias sized up a long-distance strike. Her shot to the upper right corner was gloved by Williams, but bounced off the keeper’s hand and into the net.
Down two goals, Seattle continued to apply pressure to North Carolina’s defense. In the 57th minute, Allie Long slid a through ball for Yanez. Flying down the field with great pace, Yanez was still unable to connect with the ball, which went out of play for a goal kick. Morgan Andrews came on after that, taking Rumi Utsugi’s spot in the midfield.
Keeping their foot on the gas, Seattle created two more chances in the 63rd minute. Rapinoe fought her way through the midfield, then fed Yanez. A few touches led to Yanez playing the ball back to Rapinoe, who cracked a near-post shot that Rowland was just able to save.
Off the ensuing corner, Elizabeth Addo gathered the ball form the right side of the box. Her shot attempt was low and direct, looking like a candidate for Seattle’s second goal. Instead, it went wide by a whisker, denying Reign FC’s chance to cut its deficit in half.
Vlatko Andonovski brought a pair of substitutes off the bench in the 65th minute. Nahomi Kawasumi took the place of Alyssa Kleiner as Reign FC looked to add more offense. Adriana Leon entered for her Seattle debut as well, replacing Yanez.
Dunn secured a brace by netting her second goal of the afternoon in the 70th minute. This brought the score to 4–1 in favor of North Carolina. Seattle’s attack powered on, but couldn’t find the net. Addo had a shot in the 76th minute, as did Leon in the 78th. Neither shot landed on target, allowing the Courage to preserve their 4–1 lead.
Paul Riley utilized his bench by inserting Meredith Speck in place of Debinha. From that point on, North Carolina fell back into defensive mode. The final highlight of the match came from Elizabeth Addo, who made a valiant attempt at a bicycle kick in the 85th minute. Addo was solid in the midfield for the entire 90 minutes, using her speed and playmaking abilities to create several chances.
Darian Jenkins emerged from the sideline to spell Jessica McDonald in the 86th, exhausting all of North Carolina’s substitutions. When the final whistle sounded, it signaled the end of Seattle’s undefeated home record.
Seattle heads out on the road for its next match on Wednesday, June 27 against Utah Royals FC. The team then returns home for a rivalry renewal with Portland Thorns FC on Saturday, June 30. Tickets for the June 30 fixture are available at www.reignfc.com/tickets.
