After an extremely disappointing home debut last week, Seattle Reign are back on the road for a Friday night match against the Houston Dash. The game kicks off at 5 p.m. PT and will stream on FOX 13+ and Victory+.
There is also an official watch party at Rough & Tumble in Columbia City, with the club giving away prizes and buying a beer, cider, or non-alcoholic drink for fans.
The Reign, who have played one more game than Houston, enter the weekend with a 3-2-1 record (6th place). The Dash are 3-2-0 and sit in 8th.
Both teams are coming off losses. The Reign had a disappointing 3-0 loss to Utah at home, while the Dash fell 1-0 to the North Carolina Courage at home. The Reign had a short turnaround from their Sunday match and travel to Houston, but they've spoken a lot about responding to their poor performance on Friday and starting the match with more energy.
"We have to respond from last week. We know that performance was not us and not close to our potential — so a lot of the talk [this week] has been more internal," midfielder Sally Menti said in a press conference ahead of the match. "We're excited and we have to have a good response from last week."
Head-to-Head
The Reign have an 18-6-5 record against Houston, including an 8-4-3 record on the road. The Reign have scored 50 goals in these 29 games and conceded 22.
Key departures
Several players parted ways with the Dash in the offseason, including defender Michelle Alozie, forward Ryan Gareis, and goalkeeper Abby Smith. Longtime centerback Katie Lind retired. Last week, the club and Christen Westphal mutually agreed to part ways — allowing the veteran defender to sign with another team.
Key additions
Houston opted to build with a talented rookie class, signing four players to their first pro contract: forwards Kat Rader and Kate Faasse, midfielder Linda Ullmark, and defender Leah Klenke. All four rookies were signed to three-year deals — a sign the Dash see them as critical players for this club. Klenke has played every minute so far, with both Ullmark and Rader starting all five matches. Faasse has 113 minutes, missing three matches due to an ankle injury. The only veteran Houston added was utility forward / midfielder Makenzy Robbe, but they lost her to a season-ending knee injury last week. Houston also recently added another rooke, Natalie Bain, who is still finishing up her college degree.
Key stats / notes
- Houston is comfortable conceding possession; they average 43.4% possession after five games
- Sam Meza enters this week leading the league in tackles (31), tackles won (17), duels won (51) and recoveries among field players (52)
- There is a flood warning Thursday-Friday night around the Houston area, with thunderstorms and 2-4 inches of rainfall anticipated.
What to watch
A different formation
The Dash play in a 4-4-2 formation, with frequent interchange between their two forwards and their wide midfielders. The Reign are going to have to be very aware of Houston's movement and the numbers coming at them in the midfield.
A dynamic attack
The Dash lead the league in expected goals per game (1.95 xG, per American Soccer Analysis). They are averaging 15.2 shots per game, also toward the top of the league, and are third in big chances created. They scored three goals against Boston and four in a comeback effort at home against Racing Louisville.
What makes them threatening? Two things.
First, the Dash make the field expansive — stretching defenses with their speed, trying to get in behind opponents, and whipping in dangerous crosses (they lead the league in completed crosses). They play a much more direct style this year than in prior years.
Second, like Utah, the Dash like to press and pounce on high turnovers. Houston leads the league in possession won in the final third — averaging 10.2 high turnovers per game compared to 7.6 for second-best Gotham.
"Defensively, they put you under pressure — similar to Utah, so we've got to learn from last week and be better in those moments," head coach Laura Harvey said. "It's always a tough place to come and player here."
Who can be the creator?
The Reign definitely won't have Jess Fishlock this weekend, although the injury she suffered in last weekend's match is fortunately not as bad as it initially looked. She didn't break or fracture any bones, but will be out for an undetermined amount of time after rolling her ankle quite harshly.
Sally Menti can play in that attacking midfield role. So can Nérilia Mondésir, who started in the 10 role against Louisville, and Maddie Mercado, who got time there in the preseason. Who gets the start in that position — and can they get themselves into good spaces and set up chances for their teammates?
Who to watch
Kiki van Zanten
The forward has already scored four goals and leads her team in chances created (12). She's quick, can shoot from distance, and is comfortable using both feet to get shots off. The Reign cannot afford to leave her open — and they don't want to get caught in transition with her dribbling at a backpedaling defense. That's how she earned her brace in a 4-3 win against Racing Louisville last month.
Avery Patterson
The fullback, in her third professional year, is now a regular on the U.S. Women's National Team. She's got a nonstop motor, loves to overlap and get into the attack, and can whip in a dangerous cross. She's connected eight crosses so far this year with a strong 38.1% cross success rate. Madison Curry, the presumed starter at left back, will have a lot of work to do with Patterson on her side.
Kat Rader
Kat Rader, the rookie out of Duke, has two goals and one assist after five games for the Dash. Primarily lining up on the left side of the 4-4-2, Rader was named to the U-23 Women's National Team training camp in February this year. She's a really composed player who is also comfortable with both feet. She took and scored a penalty against Racing Louisville — a sign of how much the rookie already feels like a professional.
Kit matchup
Injury / Availability Report
Seattle Reign
OUT: Lynn Biyendolo (Maternity Leave), Jordyn Bugg (Leg), Jess Fishlock (Lower Leg), Ruby Hladek (Leg)
Houston Dash
OUT: Makenzy Robbe (Knee - SEI)
How to watch
Seattle Reign kick off against the Houston Dash at 5 p.m. PT on Friday, May 1. The game will stream on FOX 13+ and Victory+, a free platform available on most smart TVs, mobile streaming devices, and web browsers. It will also be available on the radio again with a live broadcast on KJR 950 AM.
