Biyendolo and Huitema Bring New Energy into 2025 Season
Editor’s Note: The interview for this article was conducted during Reign FC's preseason. The story has been updated to incorporate the start of the 2025 NWSL season.
Coming off a 2024 season that saw the club struggle, collecting 23 points from 26 matches (6-15-5) and finishing second from the bottom of the table, 2025 has brought a fresh start for Seattle Reign FC.
This season, Reign’s roster is littered with new young talent, as well as a core group of veterans, including forward Lynn Biyendolo (née Williams), who was acquired by the club in a blockbuster trade with NJ/NY Gotham FC ahead of preseason. The 31-year-old attacker is a United States Women’s National Team mainstay having scored 22 goals in 78 caps, while also being a perennial winner in NWSL. Biyendolo is a four-time league champion, two-time Best XI, was the 2016 NWSL MVP and is the league’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Biyendolo, who made her Reign FC debut against the Orlando Pride on Saturday, April 12, is hoping to bring some of that winning DNA into her first season in the Emerald City.
“A lot goes into [being a champion],” said Biyendolo. “You have to have a group of players who are all going toward the same common goal and putting your own personal things aside. In the U.S. [Women’s National Team], every camp you’re fighting to be on the roster. You’re competing with each other, but then the second the roster is named, you have to turn a switch and [understand that] you’re not competing anymore and accept whatever role you’re given for the betterment of the team. Knowing your role and knowing it’s not what Lynn wants, it’s what’s best for the team in this moment.”
The Reign will be turning to Biyendolo to lead the team, as well as other veterans in critical roles, one of whom is forward Jordyn Huitema. The Canadian international’s experience belies her years — she’s still just 23 — but she has been a club professional since 2019 and a senior international since 2017.
“Coming from last season, it was a very tough season for us,” said Huitema. “It’s a clean slate for us. We want to improve from what we did last season. We know that we underperformed, we know that we didn’t do what we know we could do. We’re all wanting to show what we truly can do. It takes time. Building partnerships, building relationships. Some of these things on the field are very new.”
There’s a closeness that emanates from this group that rarely exists in other locker rooms across the league and, frankly, the world. It was one of the reasons why Biyendolo, who had witnessed it from afar in years’ past, was so enthused about the opportunity to join the Reign this season.
“I get really excited to wake up and go to work and not only get better, but actually see people,” Biyendolo said. “There’s a connectedness with everyone that’s really special. I’ve been able to see it from the outside, so being here to experience it firsthand and know that it’s not just a façade has been really refreshing.”
Huitema, who’s entering her fourth season in Seattle, echoed Biyendolo’s sentiments.
“The Reign is so different from top to bottom, from staff to players, it’s something I’ve never witnessed in my life,” she said. “I enjoy being here and hanging out with people. They’re amazing.”
Last Friday’s 1-0 rivalry victory over the Portland Thorns provided a glimpse of what the Reign can achieve this season. Starting together for the first time in 2025, Biyendolo and Huitema repeatedly carved apart Portland’s back line with their quick combination play and incisive off-ball movement. As they begin to build on-field chemistry with each other and the rest of this new-look Reign squad, they can help elevate the club’s winning culture and compete for trophies.
Up next, the Reign travel down the west coast to take on Bay FC this Saturday, April 26 (7:00 p.m. PT; ION). Each is eager to show the quality of this particular group and forge through the 2025 season.