Match Forecast: Seattle Reign FC Opens Summer Cup Against Utah Royals FC

Seattle Reign FC host Utah Royals FC at Lumen Field in the first match of the inaugural NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup. The tournament, new this season, features all 14 NWSL teams, in addition to the six teams with the most points achieved in LIGA MX Femenil Clausura and Apertura during 2023. 

WHEN AND WHERE: Reign FC kickoff is at 6:00 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 Network, Paramount+ or NWSL+ (Spanish). 

2024 NWSL x LIGA MX FEMENIL SUMMER CUP RECORD AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): Seattle Reign FC: 0-0-0, Utah Royals FC: 0-0-0 

Key Points Ahead of the Match: 

1. LAST MEETING – Seattle Reign FC and Utah Royals FC most recently faced off at the beginning of this month in a regular season match. This match was the first meeting between the two teams since Utah joined the league this season. The match ended in 1-1 draw at Lumen Field, as Royals forward Ally Sentnor scored the first goal of the match, but Reign forward Veronica Latsko pulled Seattle level before the end of the match. Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey finished the match with seven saves, tying her single-game career high. 

2. SCOUTING UTAH – Utah’s last match was played against the Reign, but since then, the team has brought on three National Team Replacement Players – midfielder Ellie Boren, defender Darielle O’Brien and midfielder Shaelan Murison.  

Utah currently has ten players out for the match – Imani Dorsey (SEI - achilles), Carly Nelson (excused absence), Mikayla Cluff (foot), Frankie Tagliaferri (excused absence), and Lauren Flynn (lower leg) are out and Amandine Henry (FRA), Macey Fraser (NZL), Ify Onumonu (NGA), Mina Tanaka (JPN) and Ally Sentnor (USA) are on international duty. 

"Yeah, I feel like Utah’s a great team. I feel like they’re really good in transition, so that’s something that we’re focusing on as well. But really, it’s just kind of like playing our game – finishing our chances, first and second balls I feel like are really important to us and just doing our best to kind of control things,” said Seattle Reign FC defender Ryanne Brown. 

3. SUMMER CUP PRIMER – The Reign are looking for three points as they kick off the first-ever NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup. The Summer Cup features five groups of four teams. The Reign are in Group A alongside the Royals, Portland Thorns FC and Club Tijuana. The top four teams in the group stage advance to the semifinal in August. 

Differing from NWSL regular season play, in the group stage, if a game is tied at the end of regulation, kicks from the penalty mark will be used to determine which club earns one (1) additional point in the group standings. The penalty shoot-out will be conducted in accordance with the procedure specified in the IFAB Laws of the Game 

“Excited to be at home. Excited to give some of the younger players a chance to play a little bit more. Obviously, same opposition. Really excited to play against a different opposition next week in Tijuana, so that will be fun,” said Seattle Reign FC head coach Laura Harvey. 

 “Yeah, just a chance to see where we’re at. I think some of these players have been desperately wanting to get on the field, so this is their chance to come and shine and I’m excited to see what they can do.” 

4. SQUAD – With international players out and a break from regular season play, Summer Cup is an opportunity to change up the lineup a bit and potentially give some young, new players a chance to get minutes. Though Harvey typically varies the Starting XI from game to game, more squad rotation is likely in this tournament. 

“Honestly, just go out and enjoy it, really, go and enjoy having your opportunity, take it for everything you can take it for and show why you should be on the field. That’s what their job is,” said Harvey. 

“I think we’re feeling pretty good. I think we’re really excited for this tournament. I think it gives us a really good opportunity to kind of hone in on some of the things that we’ve been working on prior to the CBA break. It also just kind of gives some of the players who haven’t really played much a little bit more of an opportunity and we’ve got a really talented group of players. So, I’m really excited to see that,” said Brown. 

MultiCare Availability Report: 

OUT  

Lauren Barnes (leg) 

QUESTIONABLE 

None 

INTERNATIONAL DUTY 

Jess Fishlock (WAL)  

Jordyn Huitema (CAN)  

Angharad James-Turner (WAL)  

Quinn (CAN)  

Lily Woodham (WAL)