Match Forecast: Seattle Reign FC Meets with Utah Royals FC for the First Time
Seattle Reign FC is home at Lumen Field for their annual Kids Day match. The team is taking on Utah Royals FC for the first time and looking to earn points before the upcoming break.
WHEN AND WHERE: Reign FC kickoff is at 3:00 p.m. PT at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.
WHERE TO WATCH: Fans can get tickets to the match HERE or tune in on CBS Sports Golazo Network, Paramount+, NWSL+ or KING5+ or KONG locally to catch the action.
2024 NWSL REGULAR SEASON RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): Seattle Reign FC: 2-9-4 (13th place), Utah Royals FC: 2-11-2 (14th place)
Key Points Ahead of the Match:
1. LAST MEETING – Seattle Reign FC is set to take on Utah Royals FC for the first time since the club joined the league ahead of the 2024 season. Though this is the first match between the Reign and Royals since the team joined the league, the Reign last played the original Royals side during the 2020 Fall Series, where the Reign won 2-0. All-time against the original Royals, Seattle earned six wins, two draws and just one loss.
Currently, the Reign are on a three-game draw streak, tying their most recent match against NJ/NY Gotham FC 1-1. It’s the second time in team history the club has had three straight regular season draws.
2. SCOUTING UTAH – In Utah’s last three matches, the team has earned one win, one draw and one loss, most recently drawing 0-0 with Portland Thorns FC, despite taking over 20 shots in the match. Utah currently has two wins on the season. Newly named Interim Head Coach Jimmy Coenraets will be coaching the team for the first time this season.
Utah currently has eight players out for the match – Imani Dorsey (SEI - achilles), Carly Nelson (excused absence), Olivia Griffitts (hamstring), Mikayla Cluff (foot), Michele Vasconcelos (hip), Macey Fraser (ankle), Frankie Tagliaferri (excused absence) and Amandine Henry (international duty – FRA).
“The only thing we spoke about was the fact that obviously they've got a new coach now, so it gives a little bit of uncertainty to exactly what they'll look like, but I do think that they've become more solid,” said Harvey.
I think they've become a bit more of a threat in those transitional moments. I think at the start of the season they were out-possessing everybody and the passes they would complete and it was like a crazy stat in comparison to their opponent, but they weren't really threatening anybody. I think that that's sort of been an evolution for them where, they're still out possessing a lot of the teams that they play, but they've got a bit more of a threat and a bit more bite to them”
3. HOME BEFORE THE BREAK – After earning a point on the road against NJ/NY Gotham FC, the Reign are back home at Lumen Field for their last regular season match until Sunday, August 25. With the home crowd backing the team, they’ll look to enter the break on a high note.
“I think it's the same mindset that we have every game - we want to go out, put out a good performance and get some points. Obviously, we're back at home this week. We love our fans and need three points,” said Reign forward Tziarra King.
“I think the reality of the situation is we've put out some good performances and not gotten results that we've wanted, so that definitely has been kind of a blow. But every week we try again and that's all we can really do. So, I think last week's late goal was definitely really uplifting for all of us and I hope that we can carry that energy into the game."
MultiCare Availability Report:
OUT
Lauren Barnes (leg)
QUESTIONABLE
None