The Reign played their final home game of 2024 on Friday against the Houston Dash, where both teams came into the matchday tied for rock bottom on points. The Utah Royals, who have also struggled consistently throughout the season, humiliated the Reign with a 3-0 road loss at the beginning of the week, eliminating them from playoff contention. However, the Reign returned to Seattle to give the fans one final treat of 2024, just in time for Fan Appreciation Day.
Head Coach Laura Harvey spoke about the win, saying, “I think we knew that coming into the game that with the team that we had out, we might give a few things up, but if we could control the ball and we could control the game with the ball, it would give us the greatest chance of winning the game.”
The Reign also debuted the white Summit Kits at home, though it was the final NWSL game in Seattle this season. Speaking after the game, both Laura Harvey and Olivia Athens said they did not know the team were going to play in the away strip until arriving in the locker room. Harvey, playfully said "I'm gonna ask if we can play in white every game."
Aimee Worthington / Area Sports Network
Olivia Athens opened the scoring with a beautiful top-corner volley 22 minutes into the game, bagging her first goal of the NWSL season. The goal originated from a Reign corner, rocketing past Jane Campbell’s near post from the top of the penalty area. Athens’ goal also marked the second of her NWSL career. “"I thought Liv [Athens] was excellent,” commented Coach Harvey.
Athens, modest about her goal, expressed her gratitude by saying, "I'm just glad it went in and I could help the team," after describing the scenario as fortunate. “That was my spot on corner kicks. So, I guess I can credit Scott [Parkinson] for that one.”
Within the minute from the restart, the Dash equalized after they won a penalty after Bábara Olivieri was taken down by a late Lu Barnes challenge. The call was an easy foul for Referee Brad Jensen to call, and a stone cold penalty. Olivieri stepped up and scored in Claudia Dickey’s bottom-right corner, despite Dickey guessing the correct way.
Aimee Worthington / Area Sports Network
The Reign took back the lead in the 65th minute after multiple attempts to break down the Dash defense, and Nerilia Mondesir, the new signee, scored her first career NWSL goal. An attempted clearance away from Ji So Yun ended up lofted in the air, where Mondesir took advantage after winning the challenge and found an easy finish at the top of the six-yard box.
“It's been a new experience for me—living in a new country where I don't know anyone—but the team has been really receptive, the fans have been really warm, and people have been very cool and helpful, and I'm really happy to be here,” said Coco Mondesir, delighted about her contribution to the team as she integrates herself in the squad.
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Near the end of the game, a knock to Jordyn Huitema's head forced the Reign to use a concussion substitution. Though Huitema was down for a solid amount of time, Harvey said after the match that Jordyn is fine with no concussion symptoms present, and she was likely dazed from the hit: "It was just a ball to the face."
The Reign closed out the victory in the battle to not finish bottom of the standings, keeping Houston in last place and marking the sixth win of the NWSL season. Though 2024 will certainly be a year to forget in Seattle Reign history, a significant takeaway from this victory is that the Reign are able to win games under pressure—something the team has severely struggled on during the season.
The Reign, despite not making the playoffs, were able to give the supporters one final treat in 2024 by closing out the victory in the final home game of the season. Next, the team will travel to the nearly undefeated Orlando Pride for the final game of the season.
Cover Photo: Aimee Worthington / Area Sports Network
