Photos by Vanya Tucherov
Coach’s Corner
Seattle Reign FC had reason to smile and reason to frown after a hard fought nil-nil draw at home last weekend against Chicago Red Stars.
Goals change games. Coach Laura Harvey likes to repeat this sentiment. Had early near misses and good saves been slightly different the flood gates could have opened.
Those things did not happen. The game got tighter and tighter. The goals never came. On the positive side, the chances came, and that is where the optimism should be focused on. Seattle feels due for another barrage of goals.
Photos by Vanya Tucherov
The clean sheet is the first of the season, but it comes on the heels of a number of single goal defensive efforts where a few of those goals were fluky and controversial as opposed to actual defensive lapses.
Other than the same Chicago team on the road dropping three goals running at the Seattle D with Christen Press one goal is all any team had managed in the regular or preseason or international friendly, home or road.
Getting a clean sheet against the Chicago Red Stars is no small task. Even without star attractions, the Red Stars bring a fast and solid team. Much has been made of teams missing players, but teams have planned for this stretch. In a nine team league the depth is very very good. Seattle is bringing veteran internationals off the bench.
Sky Blue FC comes to Seattle this weekend for a match on The Moda Pitch Saturday evening having only scored on a controversial stoppage time PK. Jessica Fishlock and her cheekbone have recovered from the hand ball call and is available for selection. A nil-nil game does not seem likely.
