Match Forecast: Reign FC Travels to Utah for Match Against the Royals

Seattle Reign FC travels to Sandy, Utah for a must-win match against Utah Royals FC. This marks the second regular season meeting between the teams this season, in addition to one Summer Cup meeting. 

WHEN AND WHERE: Seattle Reign FC kickoff is at 2:00 p.m. PT at America First Field in Sandy, Utah. 

WHERE TO WATCH: Fans can tune in to ESPN 2, ESPN DEPORTES or ESPN+ to watch the match, or locally at Rough & Tumble Pub in Ballard, Doyle’s Public House in Tacoma and more. 

2024 NWSL REGULAR SEASON RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): Seattle Reign FC: 5-13-5 (20 points, 13th place), Utah Royals FC: 6-14-3 (21 points, 12th place) 

Key Points Ahead of the Match: 

1. LAST MEETING – Seattle Reign FC and Utah Royals FC last met in back to back regular season and Summer Cup matches in July. The regular season match on July 7th ended in a 1-1 draw. Utah scored first, but less than 10 minutes after, forward Veronica Latsko found an equalizer in front of a home crowd. The Summer Cup match saw the Reign come out on top, defeating Utah 2-1.  

“I think all of us are pretty excited to go there and play. Obviously, the last couple of games we've been a little bit disappointed with our performances and the results. So, I think it's just another chance to go out there and do what we love and have fun and get better. I think we always play our best when we're having fun. So yeah, looking forward to playing and obviously playing against a team that we've had decent success with in the past. So yeah, keep on with that,” said Seattle Reign FC goalkeeper Claudia Dickey. 

2. SCOUTING UTAH – The Royals are currently in 12th place in the NWSL standings with 21 points on the season, one point and one place ahead of the Reign. Most recently, the team is on a two-game win streak, defeating Portland Thorns FC  2-1 at Providence Park last weekend. Both goals scored by the Royals came in the second half, as 13 of their 17 goals scored this season have.  

The Reign are currently coming off a 1-0 loss to Angel City FC. The team conceded to the visitors in the 34th minute of the match and were unable to find an equalizer.  

“I think we've been in similar form throughout the season. I think the two teams, obviously Utah got a fantastic result last week away in Portland. I think they've been playing some really good football. They've been dangerous, so we know that we've got to defensively be solid. We know that we've got to do a little bit better ourselves on the other side of the ball and try and create as many chances as possible. It's never going to be easy out there. But yeah, we're excited for the opportunity,” said Seattle Reign FC Head Coach Laura Harvey. 

Utah currently has ten players out for the match – Imani Dorsey (SEI - achilles), Carly Nelson (excused absence), Macey Fraser (excused absence), Lauren Flynn (SEI - lower leg), Paige Monaghan (hip), Julia Grosso (knee), Olivia Griffitts (foot), Mikayla Cluff (ankle), Agnes Nyberg (quad) and Hannah Betfort (abdomen). 

3. MUST-WIN MATCH UP – With just three matches left in the season, the Reign are looking to pick up as many points as possible to finish out the season strong. After a few tough losses, the team is focused on putting on a strong performance this afternoon, both as a team and individuals. A win in this match keeps the team in playoff contention. 

“I think everyone's personal pride takes over. This is our careers. We want to go out there and put on a good performance, both individually and collectively. I think that's what our job is to go and do, so we've got to try and make sure we do that as best we possibly can,” shared Harvey. 

“I think it's kind of like another chance to just go out there and do what we love. Obviously, it's not necessarily in our hands. We can do everything that we can, and obviously to go out and win these three games is really important, but just to close out the season on high. Like I've said, obviously it hasn't gone up to the standard that we've wanted it to, but I think these games are just a chance to prove ourselves and give people opportunities to just get better and have fun,” said Dickey. 

MultiCare Availability Report: 

OUT  

Ryanne Brown (SEI – knee) 

Jess Fishlock (leg) 

Quinn (head) 

Olivia Van der Jagt (excused absence) 

QUESTIONABLE 

None 

INTERNATIONAL 

Ainsley McCammon (USA)