Seattle Reign head to the Other Washington for a Sunday afternoon showdown with the Spirit, which could have big implications on their playoff hopes. Washington sits five points ahead of the Reign in second place, while the Reign themselves are only three points above the playoff line. A win today could lift the Reign as high as third, while a loss could drop them to seventh place.

The Reign hold a 14-11-8 advantage over the Spirit all-time, with 48 goals scored and 38 conceded, which includes a 4-6-3 road record. Last time these two teams faced off, in May at Lumen Field, the Spirit came away with a 2-1 win thanks to a goal from Ashley Hatch and a Croix Bethune goal. Shae Holmes scored at the other end for Seattle.

Last week, the Reign fought to a 0-0 stalemate at home against the San Diego Wave, while the Spirit were the latest victims of the Chicago Stars’ effort to terrorize the rest of the league with come-from-behind draws, as Ludmila scored her fifth goal of the month at Audi Field to see the game finish 1-1. The Spirit also had a midweek Concacaf W Champions Cup home game against the Vancouver Rise FC Academy, which they won comfortably, 4-0, while heavily rotating their lineup.

Match Preview: Washington Spirit vs Seattle Reign

The Reign face a tough away match against one of the league’s best teams.

Sounder at HeartJune Ash Eden

Keys to the game

• Look for quick transition opportunities
• Respect the Spirit’s attacking speed across the entire front line
• Slow down the game if the quick counter isn’t there

Notes

• Midfielder Ji So-yun has departed the Reign, with her loan to Birmingham City announced on Friday. The club added midfielder Mikayla Cluff on Saturday to fill the open roster spot.
• Head coach Laura Harvey said an illness swept through the locker room this week, which necessitated some adjustments to training as various players were in and out while recovering from it. Most of the affected players have recovered enough to be available, but Angharad James-Turner and Hanna Glas did not make the trip to Washington.
• Defender Shae Holmes is still a week or two from her return, Ryanne Brown is training in full but still a few weeks away from being activated, and Lynn Biyendolo remains out indefinitely as the team works to get her knee issue under control.
• Emeri Adames currently leads the Reign with six goals. That total ties the NWSL record for most goals in a season by a teenager, which has been reached by four other players, including Mal Swanson in 2017 when she was with the Spirit, and Trinity Rodman in 2021.

Injuries, absences, suspensions

Reign: OUT: Lynn Biyendolo (knee), Ryanne Brown (SEI – knee), Hanna Glas (illness), Shae Holmes (ankle), Angharad James-Turner (illness), Veronica Latsko (SEI – lower leg), Cassie Miller (D45 - leg)

Spirit: OUT: Rebeca Bernal (foot), Ashley Hatch (maternity leave), Lyza Jessee - SEI wrist), Casey Krueger (knee), Ouleye Sarr (SEI – back), Andi Sullivan (maternity leave)

Recent form

Reign: WLDDD (7-5-6, +4 GD; 6th place)
Spirit: WDDWD (9-4-5, +3 GD; 2nd place)

Officials

REF: JC Griggs; AR1: Matt Trotter; AR2: Mateusz Dulski; 4TH: Gary Gutierrez; VAR: Jamie Padilla; AVAR: Christian Clerc

How to Watch

Match date/kickoff time: Sunday, September 7th, 1 PM PT

Venue: Audi Field, Washington, DC

Broadcast: Fox 13+ (Seattle area; Steve Schlanger, Laura Schott & Kelyn Rowe) / NWSL+ (JP Dellacamera & Jill Loyden)

Is this game available to stream for free in the US? Yes

Lineups

Highlights

33’ - Trinity Rodman puts the Spirit ahead off a perfect volley. 1-0

81’ - Rodman gets her second to double Washington’s lead. 2-0

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This is Seattle Reign at Washington Spirit; watch with us