Seattle Reign vs. Houston Dash: Game Thread

With two games remaining in the regular season, the Seattle Reign have unfortunately been eliminated from the playoff hunt due to a season full of disappointing games. Nevertheless, they want to end their season with some joy and hopefully better results. They have their last chance to get a win in front of their home fans tonight when they host the Houston Dash, a team tied on points with the Reign but in last place on goal difference. The game begins at 7:00 p.m. PT and will air on Prime Video for fans in the U.S. and on NWSL+ for international viewers.

As Shae Holmes said in a pregame press conference, the team knows their final game at Lumen Field is a chance to show their appreciation to the fans who have stuck with them this year. It is also a fan appreciation night.

“We’re excited to play for (our fans) and we’re just excited to have the whole city behind us. They've been there all season, and I think we'll just go out there and do our best like we did and just do that. “We'll continue to grow and continue to grow for the rest of the last two games and heading into the next one “Give it our best shot this year.”

Current results

The Reign lost on the road to the Utah Royals last week, marking their fourth straight loss. The Houston Dash defeated the San Diego Wave 2-0 on the road last week.

Head to head

This will be the second regular season game between the two teams in 2024.

• Houston beat the Reign 1-0 on the road a month ago.
• The Reign are 17-5-4 against Houston, scoring 47 goals and conceding 19.
• That includes a 9-1-2 record at home.

Quick statistics

• Houston (5-14-5, 20 points) scored 23 goals and conceded 40.
• Seattle (5-15-5, 20 points) scored 17 goals and conceded 37.
• The Reign are 3-5-4 at home this season. Houston is 3-8-1 on the road.
• Diana Ordonez leads the Dash with five goals.

What you should see

Houston doesn't need possession

The Dash are comfortable sitting back, defending and letting the other team have the ball. They also like to disrupt, as Houston has the most blocks, most tackled dribblers, second most fouls and most yellow cards in the league.

The Dash attempt the second-fewest passes and take the second-fewest shots in the league, both of which trail the Chicago Red Stars. Still, the Dash have made the most of their limited possession and chances in recent games – including the two goals they scored against the Wave last week.

“I think they have done a good job in the last few weeks. They may not always have a lot of possession, but they are a threat going forward. They're building on a very strong defensive structure, and I think so too.” “We'll see that from them,” said head coach Laura Harvey.

Heading into the road game against Houston, the Reign knew they had to take an early lead and set the tone on both sides. Unfortunately, Reign created several chances but couldn't convert them – and Houston only needed a blast from Yuki Nagasato to take three points. Since that game, the team has struggled to create any chances.

A new formation for Houston

Before the Reign faced them in September, the Dash played in a 3-4-3 formation. They switched to a four-man defense against the Reign and stuck with it in their last four games, where they were 2-2-0.

In a game like this, the midfield is a crucial spot on the field, and the Reign have very few players who can fill that role at the moment. Six midfielders are injured, suspended or on international duty.

Nikki Stanton appears to be a guaranteed starter considering she is the only defensive midfielder available on Friday. Olivia Athens is one of the few healthy box-to-box midfielders, and while Ji So-yun would be the likely attacking midfielder, she barely practiced last week and saw limited action against Utah due to a knee injury. If she can't go, Maddie Mercado or Nérilia Mondésir could fill that role – and Jordyn Huitema has even been used as an attacking midfielder in the past.

Regardless of who lines up on Friday night, it will be a new midfield trio working together. Can they ensure the Reign retain possession sensibly and prevent transition opportunities?

I showed a good final performance at home

As Harvey mentioned in the Reign pre-match press conference, these could be the last two games some people ever play for Reign. There are a large number of players whose contracts end this year. Everyone wants to aim high – especially in front of the home fans.

“I think we have to take pride in making sure we put in a performance that we believe we can get a result from. That's why it's very important to me to make sure we do the right thing for the team that's here right now.” “And then we can judge and decide what we need to do in the future,” Harvey said.

Shae Holmes, who has just signed a contract extension with the club, said all the players felt the same way. They know the season hasn't gone as everyone had hoped, but they see the last two games as a great opportunity to develop.

“It's just a moment where we say, 'Hey, these are the cards we've been dealt and we're not going to waste them.' We will use it as an opportunity to continue to grow and continue to show what this team can do.”

referee

Lineups

Highlights

22' – What a cracker from Olivia Athens! The Reign takes a 1-0 lead.

Injury/Availability Report

Seattle Reign

Missing: Ryanne Brown (SEI – knee), Jess Fishlock (leg), Jaelin Howell (suspension), Angharad James-Turner (suspension), Quinn (head), Olivia Van der Jagt (excused absence)
INTERNATIONAL OPERATION: Ainsley McCammon (USA)

Houston Dash

Absent: Katie Lind (maternity leave), Havana Solaun (SEI – knee), Croix Soto (concussion), Kiki Van Zanten (SEI – foot), Andressa (lower leg), Elin Rubensson (illness), Ramona Bachman (excused absence)
QUESTIONABLE: Michelle Alozie (knee), Diana Ordonez (shoulder)

Here's how to watch

Date/Time: Friday, October 18, 7:00 p.m. PT

Location: Lumen Field, Seattle

Streaming: Prime Video (US), NWSL+ (International)

Join the discussion

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