Playing their first match since June 3, Seattle Reign FC (5–2–4, 19 points) turned in another stout defensive effort. The team fought to a 0–0 draw with the Washington Spirit (2–7–4, 10 points) on the road at the Maryland SoccerPlex. This was Seattle’s third straight shutout, and fifth of the season.
After a relatively tame first ten minutes, Bev Yanez intercepted a pass in Washington’s defensive third. Yanez looked for a chance to score, but had her 11th minute shot blocked away. Shortly afterward, Seattle possessed the ball deep in Washington territory again, but Jodie Taylor was flagged offside before getting a chance to strike. Taylor nearly had a chance to redeem herself in the 13th, but the searching ball from Elizabeth Addo was just out of her reach.
Addo drew a foul in the attacking third near the 17th minute. Megan Rapinoe sized up the free kick, which was in a similar spot to her free-kick goal against the Spirit in March. Rapinoe’s in-swinging ball was headed away near the penalty spot, clearing the danger. As action moved to the other end, Rose Lavelle fired a shot toward Lydia Williams, but missed left. Seattle’s defense held its shape in the 22nd when the Spirit moved forward, not allowing Washington to manufacture a shot attempt.
Lavelle led a quick charge for Washington in the 26th, and played Estafania Banini right outside the box. Banini ripped a shot hoping to put her team on the board. Lydia Williams looked to have the shot covered with her diving effort, but Banini’s shot went out of bounds without Williams needing to get a hand on it.
Allie Long dropped a dime on Rapinoe’s head as the clock struck 30’. Rapinoe chose to head it to her right, finding Elizabeth Addo just outside the 18. Addo launched a rocket on goal from a tough angle. Unfortunately for Seattle, Aubrey Bledsoe handled the shot at the near post.
In the 38th minute, Addo found herself in the box with an open Rumi Utsugi charging toward the net. Addo laid one off to Utsugi’s right foot, but the Japanese midfielder’s shot soared too high. Not long after that, Williams stepped up to make her first save of the afternoon, grabbing and holding Ashley Hatch’s shot. Minutes later, Lauren Barnes was in a similar position, looking like a candidate for the first goal of the match. Like Utsugi, Barnes rocketed a righty shot at Aubrey Bledsoe. This shot was also too tall, clearing the bar and heading out of play.
The first half ended with Rapinoe trying a long-distance shot just before the 45th minute. It went for a goal kick, taking the teams to halftime tied at zero. For the eleventh straight match, Reign FC kept its opponent from scoring in the first half.
Washington began the second half by replacing Rose Lavelle with Francisca Ordega. Elizabeth Addo picked up her first yellow card of the season — and the first of the match — after a tackle in the 47th minute. Just over five minutes into the second half, Estelle Johnson was called for a hand ball in the box to give Seattle a penalty kick. Megan Rapinoe took the shot, looking for her record-breaking 33rd goal with Reign FC. She put a shot low and down the middle of the goal, and Aubrey Bledsoe went down and secured the save.
The Spirit saw an excellent chance in the 57th minute, when Banini slid a shot toward the center of the goal. Williams got to it easily to record another save, and two minutes later she watched an Andi Sullivan shot miss the goal high and to the right. Allie Long advanced down the field and took her first shot just after the 60th minute. The U.S. national team midfielder missed her spot, pushing the ball into the crowd sitting on the hill behind the field.
Rapinoe won a foul for Seattle in the 65th, and stood behind the subsequent free kick. Her initial ball was stopped by Washington’s wall. When it bounced away, Rumi Utsugi attempted a left-footed volley, but couldn’t bother Bledsoe with her shot.
Utsugi nearly recorded an assist in the 70th, serving a picturesque ball into the box for Jodie Taylor. Taylor brought it down for a touch, cut back, and put a shot on goal that couldn’t quite cross the goal line. At the next dead ball, Jasmyne Spencer stepped off the sideline and took the place of Bev Yanez.
The match came to a brief stoppage in the 74th minute after Lauren Barnes blocked a shot. Seattle’s veteran presence on the backline was treated by Seattle’s medical staff, and eventually came off for Kristen McNabb.
Spencer made her impact felt in the 81st minute. The speedy substitute zoomed through the Spirit defense and got to a great shooting position. Her left-footed shot was slotted just inside the post, but Bledsoe made a diving save. The ball went out of bounds for a corner, which Seattle failed to capitalize on.
Bledsoe spoiled another Seattle chance in the 86th minute. Steph Catley sent a gorgeous service into the penalty area, which connected with Rapinoe. Her header was strong and on-target, and required a spectacular save from Bledsoe to keep out of the net. A 90th minute corner kick was Seattle’s last great chance, but it could not lead to a game-winning goal. Andi Sullivan had an open shot in stoppage time but missed high and wide, triggering the final whistle to end things at 0–0.
Seattle’s next home match comes on June 23 against the first place North Carolina Courage. Tickets for the June 23 match — which is Pride Match 2018 — are available at www.reignfc.com/tickets.
