April 21, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Seattle Reign FC News Release
SEATTLE, WA. – Returning to Seattle after a three-game road stretch, the Reign fell 2-1 to the Chicago Red Stars. The Red Stars scored both of their goals in the first half of the match, while the Reign pulled one goal back in the second half, but their momentum came too late to score an equalizer before the clock ran out.
Seattle was on the back foot starting the match, conceding a goal in the fourth minute of the match. On a counterattack, Chicago forward Mallory Swanson played forward Ally Schlegel in behind the Reign’s defense, allowing her to find the back of the net in two touches.
The Reign spent the majority of the first half defending, fielding seven shots from Chicago, five of which were on target. In the 14th minute, Swanson fired a shot toward goal, but the crossbar prevented another goal, keeping the ball out of the back of the net. In the 20th minute, Reign goalkeeper Laurel Ivory, in her first NWSL regular season start, made a crucial save to stop Chicago from doubling their lead.
Just after the half hour mark of the match, the Red Stars netted their second goal of the match, from the foot of Swanson. The Reign saw the rest of the half through, heading to the locker room down 2-0.
After halftime, the Reign took the field with more energy than the first half, displaying more urgency and quality. The team opted to press Chicago higher up the field, finding success when applying pressure to the backline of the visitors.
In the 57th minute of the match, the high press won back-to-back corner kicks for the Reign, building even more momentum in their favor. Rookie forward Emeri Adames fired off one of the most threatening shots of the match, volleying the ball toward the lower corner of the goal, but it was saved off the line.
The 77th minute of the match brought a pair of changes for the Reign, who continued to build momentum toward goal. Forward Tziarra King came onto the field for forward Emeri Adames and forward McKenzie Weinert slotted in for forward Veronica Latsko.
King made an immediate impact in the match, scoring the Reign’s lone goal of the evening just two minutes after coming onto the field. In the attack, midfielder Jess Fishlock played the ball to the feet of King outside the 18-yard box, who took one touch before launching the ball into the upper right corner of the goal and recording her first goal of the 2024 season.
The Reign pressed on, earning over…