Match Preview: Seattle Reign FC vs. Washington Spirit
Seattle Reign FC hosts the Washington Spirit this Sunday, March 17, in the club’s 2024 home opener. After rebranding in the offseason, the Reign return to Lumen Field with their beloved queen sitting boldly on the front of their kit and a renewed sense of determination to start the season off strong.
WHEN: Sunday, March 17 at Lumen Field in Seattle. Kickoff is slated for 3:00 p.m. PT
HOW TO ATTEND: Tickets are still available for fans to purchase here.
HOW TO WATCH FROM HOME: The match can be streamed live on NWSL+.
STORYLINES: Here’s what to watch for as Seattle Reign FC takes on the Washington Spirit:
RETURN OF THE QUEEN: As announced earlier this year, Seattle Reign FC has returned to its roots with a rebrand that features the club’s original crest from 2013 in a refreshed color palette. Fans can read the full story behind the brand HERE. As a reminder, the Reign will appear as SEA on all broadcast platforms and should be referred to as Seattle Reign FC, Seattle Reign, Reign FC or simply the Reign.
FIRST MEETING... AGAIN: This may be the first time that the Reign and Spirit are meeting in 2024, but the two sides are very familiar with starting the season against each other. This season opener marks the fourth opener between the two teams since 2013. Reign vs. Spirit is the second matchup in NWSL history to open a season in three straight years (Red Stars vs. Dash in 2016—18). The only other team the Reign has faced off with more than once in the first match of the season is NJ/NY Gotham FC (2 times in 2016—17).
LAST TIME VS. WASHINGTON: The last time Reign FC and the Washington Spirit went head-to-head was near the end of the 2023 regular season. The match at Lumen Field on October 6 was host to a celebration for club legend Megan Rapinoe’s retirement and broke the NWSL attendance record with 34,130 fans in the stadium. The atmosphere was electric as the teams battled throughout the match, deadlocked at a score of 0-0 the entire time. Though the game ended in a scoreless draw, the Reign had three players record three shots (Fishlock, Rapinoe and Latsko) and goalkeeper Claudia Dickey earned five saves.
INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS: It’s been a busy preseason for the Reign when it comes to new signings. Three of the club’s newest players occupy international roster spots and all three joined the team from clubs abroad. The players, defender Lily Woodham and midfielders Angharad James-Turner and Ji So-Yun, bring a plethora of diverse playing experience to the Reign. Hailing from Wales, James-Turner and Woodham both play for the Welsh national team alongside Jess Fishlock and joined the club from Tottenham and Reading FC, respectively. Ji, a well-known South Korean international and former Chelsea star, joined the club from Suwon FC.
RETURNING TALENT: Of the 26 players on the Reign’s final roster, 18 were with the club last season. Notably, club originals Lauren Barnes and Jess Fishlock have returned for a 12th NWSL season, making them two of three active players in the league to play for the same club every year since 2013. In addition, eight of the 11 players who started in the 2023 NWSL Championship for the Reign have returned to the club – goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, defenders Barnes, Phoebe McClernon, Alana Cook and Sofia Huerta, midfielder Fishlock and forwards Jordyn Huitema and Veronica Latsko.
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK: Other than the previously mentioned international signings, Reign FC has signed five new players. The club made its first-ever U-18 signing earlier today, adding forward Emeri Adames to the squad, in addition to signing NWSL draftees Maddie Mercado and Sam Meza, both of which play in the midfield. Defender Julia Lester also joined the club this preseason, bringing with her two years of NWSL experience with Racing Louisville FC. Finally, the Reign signed forward McKenzie Weiner, who played for the Reign in 2023 as a National Team Replacement Player.