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The official Reign roster is now available and set ahead of their season opener against the Chicago Red Stars this Sunday. The expected absent stars of Hope Solo, Amy Rodriguez and Megan Rapinoe are spotted, along with locals Kate Deines (Issaquah), Lyndsey Patterson (Kent), and Emily Zurrer (Crofton BC).
The final 23-woman roster includes a range of experience. The youngest player is 21-year-old Tiffany Cameron of Ontario, while Solo is the most experienced.
While most of the Reign roster was busy in preseason camp last week, a few players were out on international duty, with some good results.
Zurrer, Cameron, and Kaylyn Kyle all played for Canada in a two-match trip against France and England. In the France match, Kyle scored a late goal to earn the 1-1 tie, and she nearly scored off a previous header to get the brace and the win. Enjoy some highlights:
On Friday, the US took on Germany and Megan Rapinoe earned an assist on the first goal with a sweet endline move to get clear and cross to Abby Wambach. Then she scored on a volley creepily reminiscent of Mario Martinez' goal against Real Salt Lake last season. There's an entry ball into the top of the box that's one-timed to the left wing where she comes in for a great volley across the keeper. It's a must watch: