Seattle Reign begin a huge week for their playoff aspirations with a rare Saturday evening home match, welcoming Bay FC to Lumen Field. With Angel City and Denver Summit – Seattle’s next two opponents – just a few points behind them in pursuit of the final playoff spot, every game and every point earned is crucial. Bay FC, currently in 15th and with only one win in their past eight games, presents a big opportunity for the Reign to start this stretch off well.
Seattle finally earned their first-ever win against Bay FC at the start of August, going up 2-0 in the first 10 minutes before Bay clawed back to equalize, only for Jess Fishlock to score the game winner in the 85th minute, mere moments after entering as a sub. Bay FC has won twice in the all-time series, and the teams have split the points two other times.
Last weekend the Reign eked out a 1-0 win over 10-player San Diego Wave, while Bay FC fell 2-1 at home to Kansas City Current, conceding a last-minute goal to drop all three points.
Steve Voght
Keys to the game
- Start strong, finish strong
- Find that killer instinct in front of goal
- Respect Bay FC’s counterattacking and pressing speed
Notes
- Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey is out today as she recovers from a facial laceration suffered late in last week’s game against San Diego. Head Coach Laura Harvey told reporters that she expects Dickey to be available for the next match.
- New signing Ami Diallo just completed her first week of training with the Reign. Harvey plans to integrate her gradually over the coming weeks, as Diallo is coming in from an off-season and will need time to build match fitness and chemistry with her new teammates.
- The Reign have scored in 13 straight matches. One more game would match a club record set at the end if 2013 through the start of 2014.
- Today is the club’s annual Youth Match. The first 1,000 kids through the gates will receive a special youth-designed scarf, created by Reign FC players Cassie Miller and Maddie Mercado alongside Mary Bridge Ambassadors Gracelyn and Malia. The first 3,000 fans overall will receive a poster with the same design.
Injuries, absences, suspensions
Reign: OUT: Lynn Biyendolo (Maternity leave), Claudia Dickey (Head)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Emeri Adames (U-20 USWNT), Ainsley McCammon (U-20 USWNT), Evan O’Steen (U-20 USWNT)
Bay FC: OUT: Anouk Denton (Lower Leg), Caprice Dydasco (maternity), Alyssa Malonson (Knee - SEI)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Kennedy Fuller (U-20 USWNT)
Recent form
Reign: WLDWW (10-8-4, +1 GD; 8th place)
Bay FC: DLWLL (6-12-4, -8 GD; 15th place)
Officials
REF: Lauren Aldrich; AR1: Alicia Messer; AR2: Darren Bandy; 4TH: Kelsey Harms; VAR: Promise Adebayo-Ige; AVAR: Melissa Beck
How to Watch
Match date/kickoff time: Saturday, September 12th, 5 PM PT
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle
Broadcast: NWSL+ (Jamie Hersch & McCall Zerboni)
Is this game available to stream for free in the US? Yes!
Lineups
To be announced
Highlights
Highlights will be posted as the match progresses.
Join the discussion in our Discord gamethread (Supporter tier and above), or in the comments below.
This is Seattle Reign vs. Bay FC; watch with us
