Seattle Reign FC 1
Utah Royals FC 0
NWSL Regular Season
Seattle, WA – Memorial Stadium
July 11, 2018
Familiar faces returned to the pitch and sideline when Utah Royals FC made their first appearance at Seattle’s Memorial Stadium. Among the myriad of off-season moves in Seattle were the departures of Laura Harvey and Rachel Corsie, both of whom were around for NWSL Shields and lengthy home win streaks.
A tight cluster of clubs are vying for spots 2-4 and the playoffs in the NWSL as the final third of the season and mid-summer coincide to begin the playoff push. With North Carolina nearly having clinched the Shield and the first round home match, the second place spot and the home match are significant for most sides. For Seattle and Utah both it would mean minimal travel with the final already scheduled for September 22 in Portland. Third or fourth place could mean extra cross country travel and a possible first round match against the Courage.
A physical first half saw three players into the book and the match level. Utah was unable to exploit the first half sunset in the face of Seattle keeper Lydia Williams, but the counter for Seattle did not find the mark at the other end.
Set pieces looked to be a major factor as both sides had corners and free kicks in dangerous locations but did not convert on any of them. The level score at the half seemed a fair result.
An early second half defensive misplay nearly saw Amy Rodriguez snatch a lead for the visitors. Instead, Seattle grabbed the lead in the 54th when Steph Catley’s corner found the head of Megan Rapinoe at the far post, the header going back high across the goal to the upper corner.
Rapinoe nearly got the brace with a little chip across the goal in the 76th minute, touching the cross bar.
Seattle would put in both a fifth and sixth defender lat in the match to handle the Utah pressure, but the match would end 1-0 to the home side.
With the other NWSL results on the night Seattle finds itself with a small cushion going into the final third of the season and four home games in August down the stretch. Utah is still in position to make a run at the second place spot, but points are becoming scarce. It is not out of the realm of possibility to think these two teams could meet in September.
Match Report photos by MEL, kicker photo by Maddy Grassy
Attendance: 3,191
Scoring Summary
SEA – Rapinoe, 54’ (Catley)
Misconduct Summary
UTA – Johnson, 12’
UTA – Corsie, 45 + 2’
SEA – Long, 45 + 3’
UTA – Jonsdottir, 66’
Seattle Reign FC
Total shots: 9
Shots on goal: 1
Possession: 50.7%
Saves: 0
Yellow cards: 1
Fouls: 8
Corner kicks: 2
Offsides: 4
Utah Royals FC
Total shots: 9
Shots on goal: 0
Possession: 49.3%
Saves: 0
Yellow cards: 3
Fouls: 9
Corner kicks: 4
Offsides: 0
Seattle Reign FC
Lydia Williams, Steph Catley, Megan Oyster, Lauren Barnes, Theresa Nielsen, Jess Fishlock, Beverly Yanez (Kristen McNabb, 90 + 1’), Allie Long, Megan Rapinoe, Jodie Taylor (Alyssa Kleiner, 87’), Adriana Leon (Jasmyne Spencer, 61’)
Substitutes Not Used: Morgan Andrews, Michelle Betos, Nahomi Kawasumi, Christen Westphal
Utah Royals FC
Abby Smith, Rachel Corsie, Becca Moros (Erika Tymrak, 90’), Sam Johnson, Katie Bowen, Desiree Scott, Gunnhildur Jonsdottir, Lo’eau LaBonta (Katrina Gorry, 77’) Christen Press, Katie Stengel (Brittany Ratcliffe, 85’), Amy Rodriguez
Substitutes Not Used: Nicole Barnhart, Taylor Lytle, Sydney Miramontez, Elise Thorsnses
Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva
Assistant Referees: Ryan Jung, Adrienne McDonald
4th Official: Corbyn May
