Update 4, 11:15 am: As the next round of storms clears the area and players once again take the pitch, the league has announced that kickoff is now tentatively scheduled for 11:35 AM PT. Broadcast has moved to ESPN2 due to other programming on ABC.
Update 3, 10:15 am: Just as teams returned to the field and crews finished clearing the standing water, a fresh downpour has started and more thunder is rumbling through the area. The tentative 10:30 AM PT kickoff has been scrubed, with no new estimated start time as of yet.
Update 2, 10:05 am: The rain and lighting have let up for the moment, and the new estimated kickoff time is 10:30 AM PT. Team and stadium staff are walking the field and working to remove some areas of standing water in the corners.
Update 1, 8:40 am: Kickoff has been delayed due to lightning in the area. The league is monitoring the weather but has not yet provided an estimate on when the game might begin.
Fresh off a big 2-0 rivalry week win over Portland, Seattle Reign head to the east coast this morning to begin a three-match road trip while the temporary grass surface at Lumen Field is removed. Their opponent, Gotham FC, has also been pushed out of their regular home temporarily while Sports Illustrated Stadium serves as a training ground ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final.
Today’s game instead takes place at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island in New York City, a 5,000 seat venue which normally hosts NYCFC’s reserve team as well as USA Track and Field events. Gotham also just played a midweek match against the Spirit at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, but that venue is hosting a Noah Kahan concert this weekend.
Wednesday’s Gotham game was marred by high heat and extremely poor air quality due to wildfire smoke from fires burning in northern Minnesota and western Ontario. Air quality remains a concern this morning, but storms are expected to pass through today to clear the air. Those might include periods of heavy rain and potentially strong thunderstorms through the day.
Susie Rantz
Keys to the game
- Build on last week’s momentum
- Make a fatigued Gotham side chase the game
- Win the midfield battles
Notes
- Sofia Huerta picked up a knock near the end of last week’s game and did not travel with the team to New York, adding to the list of unavailable fullbacks with Madison Curry and Shae Holmes both still out. Ryanne Brown will almost certainly get the nod again on one side. Emily Mason and Phoebe McClernon have past experience at fullback, and the Reign have also previously experimented with a three-centerback formation which saw Maddie Dahlien used as a wingback.
- Claudia Dickey has cleared the injury list and is eligible for selection today, although from comments made by Laura Harvey to media pregame it sounds like Cassie Miller might get the start again, both to ride the hot hand and to give Dickey a little more time to ensure she is 100% healthy.
Injuries, absences, suspensions
Reign: OUT: Lynn Biyendolo (Maternity Leave), Madison Curry (Ankle), Shae Holmes (Knee), Sofia Huerta (Leg)
Gotham: OUT: Jordynn Dudley (Head), Kayla Duran (Knee - SEI), Taryn Torres (Knee - SEI)
QUESTIONABLE: Esther González (Foot)
Recent form
Reign: LWLLW (5-6-2, -3 GD; 10th place)
Gotham: WWLWW (8-3-3, +8 GD; 4th place)
Officials
REF: Calin Radosav; AR1: Sharon Gingrich; AR2: Adam Cook; 4TH: Marie Durr; VAR: Shawn Tehini; AVAR: Melissa Gonzalez
How to Watch
Match date/kickoff time: Saturday, July 18th, 9 AM PT
Venue: Icahn Stadium, New York City
Broadcast: ABC TV (English; Jenn Hildreth & Lianne Sanderson), ESPN Deportes (Spanish)
Is this game available to stream for free in the US? No
Lineups
Today's starting XI in NY 👑 Lineup Notes ➡️ rgnfc.com/4ysBjRj
— Seattle Reign FC (@reignfc.com) 8:06 AM · Jul 18, 2026
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Highlights
14’ - GOAL REIGN! Seattle earns a penalty after Maddie Mercado is clipped in the box by Mandy Freeman as she was about to take a shot. Ann-Katrin Berger guesses correctly, but Mia Fishel buries the kick to score her first goal in a Reign kit. 1-0 Seattle
BIG FISH SCORES IN THE BIG APPLE! 🦈 GFC 0 | 1 SEA
— Seattle Reign FC (@reignfc.com) 11:55 AM · Jul 18, 2026
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22’ GOAL REIGN! Maddie Dahlien gets behind the defense, then finds Maddie Mercado running into the box on a play very similar to the one which drew the penalty. This time Mercado finishes the shot to double the lead. 2-0 Seattle
Fourth goal on the season for Maddie Mercado puts us up 2-0! ⚡
— Seattle Reign FC (@reignfc.com) 12:06 PM · Jul 18, 2026
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57’ - Reign earn another penalty following a lengthy VAR review which determined that Sally Menti is bumped in the box by Emily Sonnett. Maddie Dahlien steps up to take the kick, but her effort hits the post and stays out. Still 2-0 Seattle
82’ - Gotham goal. Esther is left open at the back post and one-times a cross to the near side to get one back for the hosts. 2-1 Seattle
Esther González pulls one back with a fine finish at the back post ⚽️
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 1:25 PM · Jul 18, 2026
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90+4’ - Goal Gotham. A ball into the box bounces through the Reign defense and finds Esther. A brief review VAR confirms she was onside. 2-2
GOTHAM STORMS BACK! 💪 Esther González buries the chance from close range to equalize!
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 1:38 PM · Jul 18, 2026
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90+7’ - Goal Gotham. Rose Lavelle launches a shot from the top of the box past a diving Cassie Miller to give Gotham a very late lead. 3-2 Gotham
IT HAD TO BE ROSE! 🌹 Rose Lavelle scores a late winner for Gotham!!!
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 1:41 PM · Jul 18, 2026
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