The stakes are high today as Seattle Reign FC travels to the Garden State to face Gotham FC. Just one point separates the clubs in the standings with only four games remaining in the regular season. Although neither team can clinch a playoff berth this weekend, a win would go a long way toward securing not only a postseason spot but also a home playoff match. Seattle entered this weekend in 4th place, but already other results around the league have seen teams jump ahead of them, meaning the Reign would end the day in 6th with a loss, while a win would propel them to 3rd.

These two teams last met in the opening match of the season, which ended 1-1. Emeri Adames scored just two minutes after entering in the second half to secure a point in front of the home crowd. Last weekend the Reign came from behind at home to defeat North Carolina 2-1, while Gotham dismantled the Thorns at home, 3-0. Gotham also had a midweek Concacaf W Champions Cup match against the Washington Spirit in Philadelphia, which ended 0-0, so despite the lengthy cross-country travel, the Reign might have a rest advantage today.

Keys to the game

Create chances early
Deny Esther space in the box
Press as a unit

Notes

If Lauren Barnes makes an appearance in today’s game, it will be her 250th regular-season NWSL game of all time. The next closest player, McCall Zerboni, made 217 NWSL appearances in her career.
There are no changes to the injury report for the Reign this week. Laura Harvey said in her pregame remarks that Lynn Biyendolo’s timeline for return is still undetermined, but that it is “probably going to be longer than shorter”.