Seattle Reign FC visits expansion side Boston Legacy FC for the first time Friday at 5 p.m. PT. The first of two road matches before a month-long league break, the match will air on Prime Video and stream on 950 KJR AM radio.
The Reign (3-4-2, 11 points, 11th place) is searching for both their first win and first goal since a 2-1 victory over Racing Louisville FC on March 28.
Following a rocky start to their inaugural campaign, Boston (2-5-3, 9 points, 14th place) enters Friday unbeaten in the last five matches. Though an 0-5-0 start still has the Legacy playing catch-up, recent results have put the league on notice, including a draw against reigning champions NJ/NY Gotham FC and a win over the Orlando Pride. Friday’s match pits two streaky teams against each other, both determined to head into the break on a positive trajectory.
Seattle will be looking to shake off a frustrating 2-0 loss to Gotham last Friday. The Reign struggled to find answers against Gotham’s pressure, generating only a handful of off-target chances. Frustration built, bolstered by a few questionable no-calls, most notably when Maddie Dahlien got taken down in the box with nary a whistle.
Gotham’s first goal started with Jaelin Howell opening up play for a clinical finish by Jaedyn Shaw. Tierna Davidson added the second in the aftermath of a corner kick.
Boston enters Friday off a 1-1 road draw against Bay FC. Legacy defender Bianca St-Georges received a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Claire Hutton in the 41st minute. Bay’s Dorian Bailey found the net early in the second half before Boston equalized on a penalty scored by Amanda Gutierres after VAR deemed Bay goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz had fouled Aïssata Traoré.
Reign head coach Laura Harvey has spent the week readying her squad for the challenge ahead.
"I think just trying to instill belief back in the group has been number one, “ she told reporters ahead of the match. “That started with really honest conversations of where we think we're falling short. It's about turning our attention to what's next. That's our job. We're looking forward to another opportunity to stop our goal-scoring drought and get some points on the board."
Forward Maddie Dahlien said the team is approaching the match with the same mentality as every week, focused on executing against a physical Boston side.
“They’re really good defensively and really gritty,” Dahlien said. “For us, it’s about quality in the final third and playing our game.”
Dahlien added that training sessions have been productive and that the team feels close to a breakthrough offensively.
“Boston is definitely going to bring it, but I think we’re ready.”
Head-to-Head
Friday marks the first meeting between these two sides.
For fun, let’s revisit the Boston Breakers: Reign went 9-1-2 all-time against the Breakers, outscoring Boston 25-12. Seattle’s only loss came on April 29, 2017, in which Rose Lavelle netted her first professional goal.
Key Additions
With no expansion draft, Boston leaned aggressively into free agency and the international market to build their inaugural roster. The club signed U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Casey Murphy, along with NWSL veterans Ella Stevens, Bianca St-Georges and former Reign goalkeeper Laurel Ivory. Boston also acquired Nichelle Prince in a trade with the Kansas City Current and added Bárbara Olivieri from the Houston Dash.
Boston further bolstered its roster with diverse international talent, signing Brazilian Ballon d’Or nominee Amanda Gutierres and defenders Laís Araújo and Kaká. Araújo, who previously played under Legacy head coach Filipa Patão at Benfica in Portugal. Filling the remaining international roster spots are Mexican defender Nicki Hernández, Spanish midfielder Alba Caño, Mali international Aïssata Traoré, and Ugandan striker Fauzia Najjemba.
Key stats
- Boston leads the league in yellow cards (23) and fouls committed (154).
- The Legacy average 1 goal scored and 1.6 goals allowed per match, while Seattle averages 0.78 goals scored and 1.11 conceded. Over the last five matches, however, Boston has averaged 1.8 goals scored and 1.4 conceded, while Seattle has averaged … 0 goals scored and 1.2 conceded.
- Boston has yet to record a clean sheet this season.
What to watch
Aggressive Possession-Based Football
It will be an interesting test for Seattle’s conservative possession-based approach, as they’ll be forced out of their comfort zone by Boston’s 1v1 coverage. Boston wants to possess, and the Reign will have to move the ball. Harvey noted after the Gotham loss that Seattle failed to consistently play into dangerous areas behind the defense.
“We didn't put [the ball] in the areas we spoke about putting it in enough. When we did [put it behind them], good things happened. We didn’t create enough.”
Seattle will have to be on the front foot to make decisive shape-breaking passes to unlock chances and beat Boston’s defense. Playing into the 1v1 isn’t Seattle’s style, and it’ll be up to the distributors and the playmakers to make the Swans uncomfortable and keep control.
Discipline and finishing
This Boston team subscribes to the Always Be Shooting philosophy, and it’s bangers only. Expect big, fearless shots from distance whether the Legacy has numbers forward or not. Seattle will need to be smart about weathering Legacy's tiki taka play and punishing them when opportunities arise. Boston hasn't kept a clean sheet yet; the door is open. Being the more organized team and actually finishing chances may be the biggest key Friday night.
Who to Watch
Aïssata Traoré
With two goals and an assist on the season, the Mali international has emerged as Boston’s most dangerous finisher. As Son of Gao writes in this profile, Traoré was the most fouled player last season in France’s Première Ligue. A tactically savvy sharpshooter with high technical ability, the Reign backline will need to contain Traoré without overplaying her.
Amanda Gutierres
A scoring threat wherever she goes, the Brazilian international has posted two goals and two assists this season.
Jordyn Bugg
Bugg bombs are back! Seattle’s 19-year-old centerback, now in her third season in the NWSL, returned from a leg injury in the 71st minute of last Friday’s match against Gotham FC. Harvey said Bugg remains on a minutes restriction but continues to progress well. However many minutes Seattle gets from her Friday night, Bugg’s presence could provide a major boost at both ends of the field.
Kit matchup
Injury / Availability Report
Seattle Reign
OUT: Lynn Biyendolo (Maternity leave), Jess Fishlock (Lower Leg)
Boston Legacy
OUT: Kaká (Ankle - D-45), Fauzia Najjemba (Thigh), Chloe Ricketts (Ankle), Bianca St-Georges (Suspension)
QUESTIONABLE: Laís Araújo (Thigh)
How to watch
The match will stream on Prime Video and air on 950 KJR AM radio.
