After a lengthy June road trip and break from league play in July, Seattle Reign are finally back at Lumen Field for an NWSL game for the first time in over two months, hosting Angel City FC on Friday night to begin the second half of the season.

Angel City recently appointed Alexander Straus as head coach after former Reign assistant Sam Laity led the club on an interim basis for the first half of the year. Straus comes to the club after two years at Bayern Munich, where he won back-to-back Frauen Bundesliga titles. In his first three league games in charge at Angel City, he has a draw and two losses.

Earlier this season the Reign fell to Angel City on the road, 2-1; Alyssa Thompson and Riley Tiernan scored for the hosts while Ji So-yun got Seattle’s goal from the penalty spot. Seattle has a big advantage in the all-time series with a record of 8-1-3, which includes a 4-1-1 home record and 21 goals scored versus 12 conceded.

During the break from league play NWSL clubs played friendly matches. Seattle defeated Japanese club Urawa Red Diamonds, 2-1, and had a scoreless draw with Portland Thorns, winning the ensuing shootout. Angel City played to a 1-1 draw with Bay FC and defeated Carolina Ascent of the USL Super League, 4-2.

Keys to the game

Rekindle June’s attacking spark
Set pieces change games
Contain Alyssa Thompson

Notes

The Reign didn’t pick up any new injuries during the break, although they also didn’t get any healthier, with backup goalkeeper Cassie Miller and defender Lu Barnes still out with leg injuries. Fullback Ryanne Brown has also not yet been activated from the SEI list as she continues recovery from an ACL tear last summer – head coach Laura Harvey said she had a minor setback with a separate injury but is still on track to return at some point this season.
New signing Mia Fishel is likely to make her NWSL debut. She played a half-hour in Seattle’s friendly against Urawa two weeks ago and 45 minutes against Portland in a friendly last weekend as she builds fitness and integrates with her new teammates.
Seattle’s trio of players who participated in the Euros (Ana-Maria Crnogorčević, Jess Fishlock and Angharad James-Turner) only recently rejoined the club after a post-tournament recovery break; their availability for the game is expected to be limited.
This game marks the Reign’s annual pride match, with a Pride Fan giveaway to the first 5,000 people in attendance. Although the pride match normally takes place in June, stadium scheduling conflicts meant the club was on the road for the entire month followed by a break from league play in July.
The Mariners have a home game at 7:10 PM followed by a fireworks show, so anticipate a lot of extra traffic and parking challenges in Pioneer Square and Sodo.

Injuries, absences, suspensions

Reign: OUT: Lauren Barnes (leg), Ryanne Brown (SEI – knee), Veronica Latsko (SEI – lower leg), Cassie Miller (D45 – leg)

Angel City: OUT: Elizabeth Eddy (D45 – lower leg), Claire Emslie (maternity leave), Savy King (medical leave), Sophia Mattice (lower leg), Hannah Stambaugh (upper arm), Gisele Thompson (upper leg)