Reign Fall Short To Defending NWSL Champions

The Seattle Reign returned home after two straight road matches and an international break to face current NWSL defending champions Orlando Pride. Going into the match, Orlando led the standings, undefeated with three wins, and the Reign standing at 5th place at a 1-1-1 record.

Lynn Biyendolo made her highly anticipated Seattle Reign debut, where the delay was caused by injury problems last month. Head Coach Laura Harvey confirmed in the pre-match press conference the day before that Biyendolo would be involved in the match. Though Biyendolo was on a minutes restriction, Harvey followed through with her promise by giving the veteran striker the second half of the match after she replaced forward Jordyn Huitema.

Women’s footballing legend Marta returned to play in Seattle once again, where last season she scored against the Reign in Orlando.

The Reign started the match with a promising push towards goal, finding the first three shots of the afternoon with one of those opportunities almost leading to a goal before being cleared as the ball was rolling towards the net.

Emma Morgan / Area Sports Network

Despite the promising push, at the 41st minute, Orlando found the first goal of the game on a low, powerful cross that Babra Banda calmly put past Dickey, giving her no chance. Summer Yates earned the assist but injured herself after the cross after colliding with Madison Curry, who was promptly rushed into the tunnels alongside the training staff with an apparent serious ankle injury.

Former Reign FC midfielder Angelina played against her old club for Orlando, coming in at the 43rd minute for an injured Summer Yates.

The Reign found more momentum in the second half, and Biyendolo’s presence was felt with the growing density of dangerous Reign opportunities.

Emma Morgan / Area Sports Network

The pressure for a Reign equalizer kept increasing as time passed, with the number of opportunities hyping up the home fans. However, Orlando’s defensive efforts were very strong and organized. Harvey kept making attacking-focused changes, such as involving Adames and Crnogorcevic, but Orlando refused to back down and predominantly conceded corners.

The match ended 1-0 in favor of the defending champions. Reign Head Coach Laura Harvey was saying after the game that she felt her team deserved at least a point from the performance, but is now moving onto the club's next opponent: Portland.

Cover Photo: Aimee Worthington / Area Sports Network