Seattle Reign FC are leaving their fans questioning what happened to their team. The team that made it to the final just last year has only won one game this season and then proceeded to lose all 5 others. This record is extremely uncharacteristic of the Seattle Reign legacy, so what is happening?
1-0 Loss to Courage
The Reign’s 1-0 loss to NC Courage started off on a rough note when midfielder Quinn got subbed off in the 5th minute with an injury. Olivia Van der Jagt came in to replace them but it no doubt shook up the team early on.
Both teams were able to apply pressure early on but neither scored within the first 30 minutes. The Courage’s Ashley Sanchez was able to create a chance inside the box with a cross to her teammate Tyler Lussi who hit the ball with the outside of her right foot, and scored in the 37th minute. This was the sole goal of the match as the Reign were unable to find a response.
Frustration Continues
If you had to describe Seattle Reign’s season so far in one word it would be frustration. Both the players and coach Laura Harvey appear to be increasingly frustrated with how the season is playing out. A five game losing streak is more than enough motivation for any team to want to increase their level of play.
As the season goes on and the Reign return home to play two games, one against San Diego, and one against Kansas City. Will this frustration accumulate to wins? The pressure to perform well in front of their home fans will add on to the chip on the Reign’s shoulder. There is no doubt that their veteran players like Lauren Barnes and Jess Fishlock will be reminding their teammates what the expectations of this shield winning team are.
These home games will give them an opportunity to reconnect as a team and improve on their areas of struggle. The Reign fans will expect a change in result from their team as they look forward to the upcoming games. They are used to their team sitting near the top of the table rather than the bottom.
MATCH SUMMARY
2024 NWSL Regular Season
Seattle Reign FC 0 – 1 North Carolina Courage
Date/Time: Saturday, April 27, 4:00 p.m. PT
Location: WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina
Weather: 72, partly cloudy
Scoring Summary
SEA: None
NC: Lussi – 37′
Discipline
SEA: None
NC Murphy (Caution – 67′)
Lineups
SEA: GK Ivory, D Huerta, D Barnes (c), D Cook, D McClernon (Brown 70’) M Quinn (Van der Jagt 5’), M Ji, M Fishlock, M James-Turner (Balcer 70’), F King (Weinert 82’), F Latsko (Adames 70’)
Unused substitutes: GK Perez, M Athens. D Woodham, D Holmes
Total Shots: 17 (Four tied with – 3)
Shots on Goal: 6 (Ji, King – 2)
Fouls: 8 (Ji, McClernon – 2)
Offsides: 3
Corner Kicks: 3
Saves: 3 (Ivory – 3)
NC: GK Murphy, D Rauch, D Berkely, D Kurtz, D Williams, M Miura (Jackson 89’), M O’Sullivan (c), M Pinto, (Manaka 62’) F Lussi (Hopkins 78’), F Sanchez (Weatherholt 78’), F St. Georges (Pickett 62’)
Unused substitutes: GK Bova, M Mertz, D Winebrenner, D McCutcheon
Total Shots: 10 (Sanchez – 3)
Shots on Goal: 4 (Four tied with – 1)
Fouls: 7 (Three tied with – 2)
Offsides: 0
Corner Kicks: 2
Saves: 7 (Murphy – 7)
Player of the Match: Olivia Van der Jagt
Referee: Gerald Flores
Assistant Referee 1: Ethan Buege
Assistant Referee 2: Matthew Rodman
4th Official: John Matto
VAR: Kevin Broadley
AVAR: Maggie Short
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