Seattle Reign stayed on the East Coast following their match against Boston and will face the Washington Spirit at Audi Field on Saturday, May 30. The match, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m. PT and will air on ION TV, marks the Reign's final contest before the upcoming international break and a month-long break in NWSL play to accommodate the FIFA Men's World Cup.
Reign FC (4-4-2, 14 points) enters the match following a 2-1 victory over Boston Legacy FC. Sofia Huerta opened the scoring from the penalty spot, and Maddie Dahlien netted the game-winning goal in the 51st minute off a cross from Madison Curry. The Spirit (5-2-3, 18 points) return home after competing in the Concacaf W Champions Cup Final a week prior.
"Obviously, coming off of a win has been super motivating for us," midfielder Ainsley McCammon said ahead of the match. "I think anytime you can get some goals, it kind of just sparks the team morale. So I think we're really just looking to continue that momentum and keep focusing on us and improving in all of the things that we took away from Boston."
Head-to-Head
The Reign have a 14-13-8 record against the Spirit, including a 4-7-3 record on the road. The Reign have scored 48 goals and conceded 41 in these matches. The Reign hosted the Spirit on May 10 this year, losing 1-0 at home on a late goal.
Key departures
The Spirit traded 2024 Rookie and Midfielder of the Year Croix Bethune to the Kansas City Current in exchange for $100,000 in allocation funds and $900,000 in transfer fees. Veteran Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury also went on maternity leave, with backup Sandy MacIver stepping up in her absence. Midfielder Narumi Miura went to Utah and Brittany Ratcliffe joined the Reign.
Key additions
Andi Sullivan returned from maternity leave. The midfielder also missed the end of the 2024 season with an ACL tear. The Spirit also added fullback Lucia Di Guglielmo and 18-year-old Paraguayan forward Claudia Martínez, along with a few other players who have yet to see meaningful minutes.
Key stats
- Laura Harvey has fielded a different starting lineup in all 10 of the club's games this season. Only three Reign FC players have started in every game this season: Claudia Dickey, Sofia Huerta and Phoebe McClernon.
- Last week marked the Reign's first win in their new Surge kits; they are wearing the same kits again this weekend.
- The Spirit are 2-1-1 at Audi Field; the Reign have a 2-1-1 road record.
- The Spirit have scored 16 goals and conceded 8; the Reign have scored 9 and conceded 11.
What to watch
A game of momentum
Soccer really is a game of momentum, and while the Reign don't have a winning streak going just yet, they are coming off a hard-fought road win against the Boston Legacy. Can the visitors tap into that momentum and do what they've been unable to do in more than two years: beat the Spirit?
Their opponent didn't play an NWSL match last weekend, instead facing Club America in the Concacaf W Cup final. The Spirit lost 5-3 in a thrilling back-and-forth match against the Liga MX Femenil champions. The Spirit's last NWSL match, on May 15, was a 2-1 road loss to the San Diego Wave. That game came right after the 1-0 victory over the Reign, where Seattle dominated in many aspects, but couldn't find the back of the net. The Spirit have now played their last five matches on the road. Could that have caused a little lingering fatigue that the Reign can take advantage of?
Build off a positive performance
When the Reign hosted the Spirit on May 10, they delivered one of their best performances to date against the league's most dominant offensive team. The Reign pressed high and did it effectively, and instead of going long to Mia Fishel, they played out of the back — both of which really surprised the Spirit and left the visitors with only a few offensive chances. Unfortunately, the Spirit scored late, and the Reign never managed to do so, but there is plenty to build on from that game.
"In that game specifically, it was literally take your chances," Harvey said when asked what the team wants to build on from that performance. "If I remember rightly, our game review of that game was literally showing all the chances we had, and they came in different forms. They came from us defending well and transitioning. They came from set-piece opportunities. They came from our build. So I think we just showed all the chances that we had and aligned with in that specific game. The one thing we were missing was just putting the ball in the back [of the net], and outside of that it was like the perfect performance."
Don't expect the Reign to approach the game in the same way, as Harvey focuses on being unpredictable against her opponents. But the Reign were able to build some confidence against a tough Spirit side. Maybe that's enough.
Set pieces
The Spirit have scored five goals from set pieces, with all five of them coming on corner kicks specifically. The Reign's second goal last came on a second chance after a corner kick, and Sally Menti was delivering some truly dangerous corner kicks all game. Seattle now has three set-piece goals of their own, all from corners. This could be an area to watch for both squads.
Who to watch
Leicy Santos
Santos continues to pull the strings in the midfield for the Spirit. She has three goals and two assists this season. Santos loves to pop into dangerous places and made Sam Meza chase her all over the field earlier this month. She often makes late, unmarked runs into the box. The Reign did well to contain her for the most part in their first matchup. Can they do the same again?
Claudia Martínez
The 18-year-old forward is now tied with Sofia Cantore, Trinity Rodman, and Santos with three goals this season — including scoring the late match-winner against the Reign. She's only taken 15 shots this season, giving her a goal for every five shots. Whether she starts or comes off the bench, Martínez makes the most of her chances.
Esme Morgan
The centerback leads the team in accurate passes (61) and long balls (4.1). With the Reign deploying a high press against the Spirit, Morgan finished with 46 completed passes — well below her average – and completed just one of six long ball attempts. While the Reign might not press the Spirit in the same way, they found success by limiting Morgan's ability to influence how Washington builds out of the back. Can they do the same this weekend?
Kit matchup
Injury / Availability Report
Seattle Reign
OUT: Lynn Biyendolo (Maternity Leave), Jess Fishlock (Lower Leg)
Washington Spirit
OUT: Ashley Hatch (Maternity Leave), Aubrey Kingsbury (Maternity Leave), Casey Krueger (Maternity Leave)
How to watch
Seattle Reign kick off against the Washington Spirit at 3:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, May 30. The game will air on ION TV and will also be available on KJR 950 AM radio.
