Match Forecast: Seattle Reign FC Set to Open 2025 Season Against NJ/NY Gotham FC
Opening the 2025 season at home, Seattle Reign FC takes on NJ/NY Gotham FC at 7:00 p.m. PT this Saturday. After a long preseason, the team is ready to jump back into action as they begin a new campaign.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. PT at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash.
WHERE TO WATCH: Fans can get tickets to the match HERE or tune in on ION. For more on international watch options, click HERE.
2025 NWSL REGULAR SEASON RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): Seattle Reign FC: 0-0-0, NJ/NY Gotham FC: 0-0-0
Key Info Ahead of the Match:
1. LAST MEETING – Seattle Reign FC and NJ/NY Gotham FC last met in September 2024 in a regular season match up at Lumen Field. Though possession in the match was nearly equal, Gotham came out on top, scoring a 41st minute goal to initially take the lead and adding another just five minutes before the final whistle.
Notably, defender Hanna Glas made her Reign FC regular season debut, getting a fast start with five duels won and three interceptions. Reign FC goalkeeper Claudia Dickey was a standout in the match, weathering seven shots in the first half. In the midfield, Ji So-Yun also impressed, finishing the match with a single-game NWSL career high eight duels won.
2. SCOUTING GOTHAM FC – Heading into the 2025 season, Gotham FC has a vastly different roster from the 2024 side that finished in third place in the NWSL regular season standings. In addition to forward Lynn Biyendolo and goalkeeper Cassie Miller who were traded to the Reign in December, key players including forward Delanie Sheehan, forward Yazmeen Ryan, midfielder Crystal Dunn and defender Jenna Nighswonger departed the club in the offseason.
New additions to the roster include former Reign FC midfielder Jaelin Howell, Brazilian forward Gabi Portilho as well as college standouts defender Lilly Reale, midfielder Sofia Cook and goalkeeper Ryan Campbell.
Gotham FC has four players unavailable for the match – Bruninha (red card suspension), Rose Lavelle (ankle), Midge Purce (knee) and Jessica Silva (eye).
3. DEBUT WATCH – Throughout preseason, seven new additions settled in Reign FC’s squad, gearing up to make an impact for the Seattle side. Four players could potentially make their NWSL debut on Saturday should they see the pitch – goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska, defender Emily Mason, midfielder Sam Meza and forward Maddie Dahlien.
Though well versed in NWSL action, an additional three players could make their Reign FC debut – forward Lynn Biyendolo, defender Madison Curry and goalkeeper Cassie Miller
4. RIVALS – Despite hailing from opposite coasts, Reign and Gotham FC have a tense history of heated head-to-head battles. The Reign lead the all-time series with 12 wins, 10 losses and eight draws and have narrowly outscored Gotham 43-40. Now-retired Reign FC legend Megan Rapinoe is the leading goalscorer in meetings between the two teams with 13 goals scored – eight more than the next highest goalscorer. The Reign most recently beat Gotham FC in April 2023, in a two-goal shutout.
Availability Report:
OUT
Lynn Biyendolo (lower leg)
Ryanne Brown (SEI – knee)
Veronica Latsko (SEI – lower leg)
Julia Lester (foot)
QUESTIONABLE
None