By Marisa Sexsmith
Seattle Reign started three new players, Angharad James-Turner, Ji So-Yun, and Lily Woodham. The trio brought valuable experience and high expectations to fill the big shoes left by the departures of Megan Rapinoe Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnet. Rapinoe retired, Lavelle and Sonnet both signed with Gotham FC .
In earlier conversations, forward Bethany Balcer indicated that the team had adequate time to mesh and were working well together.
This proved true throughout the first half, as strong connections were made with few errors. The new teammates played an important role in the dynamics of the group. Clear communication made fluid for play on offense and solid defending.
The game got off to an exciting start when within the first minute, Huitema was fouled in Washington’s box and earned the Reign a penalty kick. Balcer stood confidently over the ball and converted the PK in the 3rd minute.
Consistency is key and isn’t missing within the squad from previous years or the team’s leaders. Fishlock found herself in the center of play throughout the game and successfully created opportunities for her teammates. Jordyn Huitema continued to excel, placing constant pressure on the opposing keeper and taking chances when she saw them.
The Reign had 4 total corners, 3 within the first half. None of these opportunities lead to any promising chances. It seems that the Reign still haven’t found a way to capitalize off set pieces consistently.
The referees had a busy night, starting with a yellow card on Washington Spirit’s #6 Wiesner after a rough tackle on the Reign’s #8 Balcer. The Reign continued in their attack and finished the first half with 12 shots, to the Spirit’s 1.
The referees had a hard decision to make in the 69th minute when the Spirit got the ball in the net, but it was overturned after VAR determined there was a foul committed on the Reign’s Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey. Dickey faced few attacks, and only 2 shots but stayed strong in goal and earned the rightful clean sheet at the conclusion of the game.
Washington Spirit’s goalkeeper, Aubrey Kingsbury, faced continuous pressure from the Reign’s offense totaling 15 shots and numerous chances throughout both halves of the game. Kingsbury’s game ended early when she received a red card for interfering with a goal-scoring opportunity resulting in the Spirit playing one player down for extra time.
End of Match Stats
UP NEXT: Seattle Reign FC will travel to Chicago to take on the Red Stars on Saturday, March 23 at 1:00 p.m. PT. Fans can stream the match on NWSL+.
MATCH SUMMARY
2024 NWSL Regular Season
Seattle Reign FC 1 – 0 Washington Spirit
Date/Time: Sunday, March 17, 3:00 p.m. PT
Location: Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington
Weather: 71, Sunny
Scoring Summary
SEA: Balcer – 3’
WAS: None
Discipline
SEA: None
WAS: Wiesner (Caution – 13′), Krueger (Caution – 83’), Kingsbury (Red card – 90+1)
Lineups
SEA: GK Dickey, D Huerta, D Holmes (Brown 90+5’), D McClernon, D Woodham (Barnes 63’), M Fishlock (c), M So-Yun (Athens 90+4’), M Quinn, M James-Turner (Van der Jagt 63’), F Balcer (Adames 90+6’), F Huitema
Unused substitutes: GK Ivory, M Stanton, F King, M Meza
Total Shots: 15 (So-Yun, Huitema – 3)
Shots on Goal: 6 (Fishlock – 2)
Fouls: 10 (Woodham – 3)
Offsides: 2
Corner Kicks: 4
Saves: 1 (Dickey – 1)
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