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QUICK RECAP: Seattle Reign FC dominated the first half, scoring one goal and managing 69 percent possession. Earning her first start of the season, Elizabeth Addo showed her creative flair and put in a solid 45 minutes. But the team played their worst 45 minutes of the season in the second half — despite subbing on Megan Rapinoe to start the half.
The second half was full of missed open shot opportunities, frequent poor passes, and Reign defenders losing track of runners. The same backline that kept Chicago scoreless looked listless and allowed Houston to not only equalize, but score a game-winning goal in the last seconds of the match.
It was a second-half performance to forget, and Seattle will have to forget it quickly. The team faces Sky Blue FC on Saturday in New Jersey.
On Wednesday, May 23, at 5 PM PT, Seattle Reign FC kicks off against the Houston Dash. The game, which takes place in Houston, will stream live on the go90 platform. Fans can also join the Royal Guard supporters group and watch live at the Atlantic Crossing, which will broadcast the match live and give a 10% discount on food and drinks to fans wearing Seattle Reign FC gear.
While Houston enters the match struggling to score goals, and winless in its last three matches, the Dash present a team which is hard to break down defensively. “I think it will be a tactical battle,” head coach Vlatko Andonovski said of the Dash. “Houston is a very organized team. They have a plan and they execute their plan. It will be our responsibility to find small gaps and seams that we can expose.”
Houston is currently seventh in the league with seven points and a 1–4–4 record. While the original weather report predicted that the temperature for tonight’s match could surpass 90 degrees, actual conditions are looking slightly better. It is now forecast to be around 80 degrees — but feel more like 84 — at kickoff.
After tonight’s game, Seattle heads to New Jersey for a weekend match against Sky Blue, so squad rotation is going to be key.
First Half Highlights
13’ - Goal, Reign FC! Bev Yanez finishes a pass from Jodie Taylor, but that was a nice overall team goal — the result of some solid high pressure.
Yanez calmly finds the corner to give @ReignFC the lead on the road.#HOUvSEA | #NWSL pic.twitter.com/iLA2M4jQLR
— NWSL (@NWSL) May 24, 2018
32’ - Super tackle by Lu Barnes to break up one of Houston’s most promising attacks.
Life goal: slide tackle like @laurenkb31. #HOUvSEA pic.twitter.com/bDKXgpbOIc
— Ride of the Valkyries (@rovalks) May 24, 2018
And that’s halftime. Reign FC: 1 - Houston Dash: O
Second Half Highlights
52’ - Michelle Betos does well here to bat away a cross.
Houston's Rachel Daly crosses into the box where there's a crowd but @MichelleBetos knocks it out to the edge of the 18 yard box and the second chance by Houston goes wide for a Seattle goal kick. #HOUvSEA pic.twitter.com/AChhU4Y4yB
— Ride of the Valkyries (@rovalks) May 24, 2018
68’ - Houston equalizes after Seattle give up a foul on a Houston counter.
Kristie Mewis puts it home for Houston! The Dash have their equalizer in the second half.#HOUvSEA | #NWSL pic.twitter.com/symv8QSjJt
— NWSL (@NWSL) May 24, 2018
90+3’ - Oh no! After nearly scoring on the other end, Houston punishes a tired, sloppy Seattle team in the second half and gets a last-minute winner. *Sigh*
A stoppage time stunner from Latsko to give the @HoustonDash the late lead!#HOUvSEA | #NWSL pic.twitter.com/CVU6bq9rbV
— NWSL (@NWSL) May 24, 2018
Injury Report
Houston
QUESTIONABLE: Linda Motlhalo (right knee sprain)
Seattle
OUT: Yael Averbuch (illness), Jaycie Johnson (right knee sprain – D45), Megan Oyster (left knee sprain)
Keys to the Match
- Play smart out of the back
- Pressure high up the field
- Test defensive gaps early to find the open space
How to Watch
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 23, 5:00 PM PT
Location: BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas
Streaming: U.S. go90 (app/website), International: NWSL (app/website)
Lineups
Elizabeth Addo replaces Jess Fishlock to start the match. Bev Yanez comes on for Megan Rapinoe. All rotation related, certainly, given the back-to-back matches.
Available substitutes tonight are Andrews, Fishlock, Nielsen, Rapinoe, Spencer, Westphal, and Williams #LetItReign #HOUvSEA pic.twitter.com/1CGRSfYFFt
— Seattle Reign FC (@ReignFC) May 23, 2018
Houston sticks with nearly the same starting lineup as last week.
Dash Starting XI: Campbell; Chapman, Van Wyk, Brooks, Keever; Motlhalo, Mewis; Prince, Simon, Ohai; Daly
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) May 23, 2018
Available substitutes: Henninger, Agnew, Latsko, Jordan, Hanson, Kgatlana, Shim#HOUvSEA pic.twitter.com/6v9jBP8fnZ
Join the Conversation
Highlights will be posted as the match progresses. This is Seattle Reign v. Houston Dash. Watch and discuss the action with us.