It’s the Two Washingtons Derby at Lumen Field tonight as Seattle Reign welcome the Washington Spirit to town for their final home game until August, thanks to a combination of the Club World Cup taking over the stadium next month and a league-wide pause in play during July due to international tournaments. The sides are separated by only two points, with the Reign having an opportunity to jump at least two spots in the standings with a win.

Last week, the Reign defeated Racing Louisville 1-0 in a weather-delayed road match, while the Spirit got into a shootout at home against the Utah Royals, ultimately coming away with one point in a 3-3 draw thanks to a last-second equalizer by Spirit defender Casey Krueger in the 12th minute of second-half stoppage time.

The Spirit and Reign have played 32 times in all competitions since the league began. Seattle holds the advantage in the series, having won 14 of those games and scoring 47 goals; Washington has won 10 and scored 36 times, while the two sides drew the other 8. Seattle’s home results are even more favorable, at 10-4-5.

Keys to the game

• Seize opportunities on counters
• Cut out crossing danger
• Maintain attacking pressure for 90 minutes

Notes

• Jess Fishlock and Nérilia Mondésir are back from injury and available for selection. Goalkeeper Cassie Miller remains out with a leg injury, while Ana-Maria Crnogorčević is newly out with a back injury and Maddie Mercado has an excused absence.
• The Spirit have conceded 12 goals in their last four matches, but they have also scored nine. The Reign, in contrast, have conceded two goals and scored three in that same span.
• A dozen Reign players will depart for national team camps after tonight’s match. The league is on break next weekend for the international window, and all are expected to be back before the team’s next game in two weeks.

Injuries, absences, suspensions

Reign: OUT: Ryanne Brown (SEI – knee), Ana-Maria Crnogorčević (back), Veronica Latsko (SEI – lower leg), Maddie Mercado (excused absence), Cassie Miller (leg)

Spirit: OUT: Emma Gaines-Ramos (SEI – knee), Lyza Jessee (SEI – wrist), Paige Metayer (D45 – knee), Trinity Rodman (excused absence), Leicy Santos (knee), Ouleye Sarr (SEI – back), Andi Sullivan (maternity leave), Kate Wiesner (hip)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Chloe Ricketts (USA U-20)

Recent form

Reign: WDWLW (4-3-2, +1 GD; 6th place)
Spirit: WLLWD (5-3-1, +1 GD; 5th place)

Officials

REF: Brad Jensen; AR1: Fernando Fierro; AR2: Eric Krueger; 4th: Miles Crumley; VAR: Anya Voigt; AVAR: Kelsey Harms

How to Watch

Match date/kickoff time: Friday, May 23, 7 PM PT

Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle

Broadcast: Prime Video (Jason Knapp, Lori Lindsey & Madelyn Burke)

Is this game available to stream for free in the US? No

Lineups

Highlights

11’ - Croix Bethune bodies Shae Holmes and gets to the cross first to redirect it in

16’ - Shae Holmes with the equalizer!

35’ - Ashley Hatch beats her defender to put the Spirit back ahead

Join the discussion in our Discord gamethread (Supporter tier and above), or in the comments below.

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