Quick Recap: It wasn’t the prettiest of games, but Seattle Reign FC did all they needed to get three points against the Utah Royals. Megan Rapinoe headed in a pinpoint Steph Catley corner kick in the 54th minute, peeling off her defender to get free. There were very few clear chances outside of this moment, but some great Seattle defending — especially from Theresa Nielsen on the right — gave the team another clean sheet.

Adriana Leon got her first start for Seattle on the right wing, while Jess Fishlock returned. Both looked a little rusty after having limited minutes in the last month, but had some key moments in the match. The team remains second in the league table and heads to Chicago for a weekend match with some real momentum.

Laura Harvey returns to Memorial Stadium on Wednesday night, but this time she’ll be yelling from the opposition’s bench. Her Utah Royals face off against Seattle Reign FC in a mid-week match that kicks off at 7:30 PM PT and streams on the go90 platform.

Seattle is coming off a come-from-behind 3-1 win over the Houston Dash, while Utah is recovering from a 4-0 thumping against the Portland Thorns. The Royals sit in sixth at the moment, making points a premium for them as we head into the final stretch of the regular season. Seattle, meanwhile, is looking to build some real momentum and keep their second-place spot on the table.

With another match this weekend, Seattle Reign FC will likely be rotating players for today’s match — especially given that Rumi Utsugi and Elizabeth Addo are questionable. For Utah, centerback Becky Sauerbrunn was a late addition to the NWSL Injury Report and will also be out today. Sauerbrunn has been a leader along the backline, and her absence could be notable.

In the attack, the Royals have the dangerous Christen Press and Amy Rodriguez. Those two partnered well when Seattle faced them on the road, but were completely taken out of the game against Portland. With both attackers it is crucial to not let them get too much time on the ball or space behind Seattle’s defense.

It’s Seattle’s first mid-week match at home, and if the team continues to move and defend as a unit — and dictates their style of play — they should be able to send Utah home with no points.

Injury Report

Utah

OUT: Alex Arlitt (left knee strain – SEI), Makenzy Doniak (left knee ACL tear – SEI), Mandy Laddish (right hip contusion – SEI), Kelley O’Hara (right hamstring strain), Becky Sauerbrunn (left tibial stress reaction)

Suspensions: Diana Matheson | International Duty: N/A

Seattle

OUT: Yael Averbuch (illness), Kiersten Dallstream (left quad strain)

QUESTIONABLE: Elizabeth Addo (left knee sprain), Jess Fishlock (right quad strain), Rumi Utsugi (left calf strain)

Keys to the Match

• Use the width in the attack
• Manage the midfield
• Cut off passes into Christen Press and Amy Rodriguez
• Be patient

How to Watch

Date/Time: Wednesday, July 11 @ 7:30 PM

Location: UW Medicine Pitch at Memorial Stadium — Seattle, WA

Streaming: go90.com & nwslsoccer.com

First Half Highlights

19’ - Not a lot of shots on goal so far in the half.

Second Half Highlights

47’ - Yikes! Amy Rodriguez nearly pounces on a rare mistake by Lydia Williams on the ball.

54’ - Megan Rapinoe goal! This looks like it was a set play, as she immediately runs to the bench to celebrate with Vlatko Andonovski.

Lineups

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