Quick recap: Seattle Reign FC had plenty of chances, including a penalty in the second half, but couldn’t find the back of the net against the Washington Spirit. They return home with one point and a 0-0 draw.

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Following the FIFA international break, Seattle Reign FC returns to action on Saturday with a road match against the Washington Spirit. Both teams are coming off a scoreless draw in their previous matches — the Spirit drew with Sky Blue, while Seattle battled to a 0-0 scoreline against the Orlando Pride.

This is the first meeting between the teams since Week 1 of this season, when Reign FC defeated the Spirit 2-1. While Seattle completely dominated the first half of that match, and easily could have scored more than two goals, the team allowed the Spirit back into the game and kept the scoreline closer than it needed to be.

In the first game of the season, we blamed that on the short preseason and the integration of so many new players. However, 10 matches into this season, and this is still an issue Seattle has to overcome. While momentum always shifts during a match, it has been an all-too-consistent trend for Seattle Reign FC to take the foot off the pedal in the second half of matches. While it hasn’t resulted in many goals allowed — Seattle has given up the fewest this season — the team also hasn’t put many second-half goals in the back of the net lately.

One reason is that the team still hasn’t had a consistent Starting XI, losing starters to injury and international duty. Megan Oyster and Steph Catley are off the injury report today, and could feature in the match, and all of Seattle’s international players are back — although Jess Fishlock is questionable with a knee sprain.

A strong performance against the Spirit, one where Seattle dominates for 90 minutes, could send a powerful message to the league — especially in advance of the team’s home match against the North Carolina Courage next weekend.

Injury Report

Washington

OUT: Whitney Church (excused absence), Mallory Eubanks (right ankle sprain), Cali Farquharson (left tibial stress injury – D45), Cheyna Matthews (pregnancy), Mallory Pugh (right PCL sprain), Arielle Ship (right ACL recovery – D45), Havana Solaun (left knee chondral avulsion)

QUESTIONABLE: Kelsey Wys (right knee swelling)

Seattle

OUT: Yael Averbuch (illness), Jaycie Johnson (right knee sprain – D45)

QUESTIONABLE: Jess Fishlock (right quad strain)

INTERNATIONAL DUTY: None

Keys to the Match

• Test Washington’s outside backs
• Pressure and swarm the midfield
• Watch backside runs

How to Watch

Date/Time: Saturday, June 16, 4:00 PM PT

Location: Maureen Hendricks Field Maryland SoccerPlex | Boyds, Maryland

Streaming: U.S. go90 (app/website), International: NWSL (app/website)

First Half Highlights

27’ - Too close for the Spirit. Estefania Banini’s shot goes just wide.

Second Half Highlights

52’ - Furt. Not the best PK attempt by Rapinoe, and it’s stopped by Bledsoe.

Great look for Jasmyne Spencer! But an equally great save by Bledsoe. Seattle’s best chance this game.

86’ - Sigh, another great save by Aubrey Bledsoe.

Lineups

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