July 20, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Seattle Reign FC News Release
SEATTLE, WA. – In the first match of the NWSL x LIGA MX Summer Cup, the Reign earned a 2-1 win over the Utah Royals. In a physical battle featuring a lineup with nine changes from the last match, the Reign earned the lead twice in the match and saw three club debuts on the night.
In the first half, Seattle started off with the majority of possession, stringing together passes while adjusting to a new lineup. Forward McKenzie Weinert took the first shot of the match in the fourth minute, nearly flicking the ball on frame.
Weinert continued to push the Reign’s attack forward and put pressure on Utah. In the 41st minute, her hard work paid off as she got into the box and was fouled, drawing a penalty kick for the Reign.
Midfielder Olivia Athens stepped up to take the kick and hammered home her shot to the lower right side of the goal, avoiding the hands of Utah goalkeeper Cristina Roque to put the Reign up a goal in front of a home crowd at Lumen Field.
In stoppage time of the first half, Utah struck back. After an attempted shot deflected off a Reign player, forward Cameron Tucker tucked the ball into the back of the net to level the score. Just before halftime, Reign defender Ryanne Brown sustained an injury and was forced to exit the field.
As the second half of the match began, the physicality escalated, both teams desperate to find a game winner. The Reign utilized a series of substitutions throughout the half, bringing new energy to the game. Among those substitutions was midfielder Sam Meza, who made her NWSL debut when she came onto the pitch in the 57th minute.
Seattle found the all-important game winning goal in the 77th minute of the match on a headed goal from Sofia Huerta. Forward Tziarra King carried the ball down the left side of the field before using her skill on the ball to beat a Utah defender and serve a cross to the backside of the goal, where Huerta used her head to tuck the game away.
To cap off the night, the 90th minute saw recently signed U-18 player Ainsley McCammon sub onto the field, officially becoming the youngest player to ever play for the Reign.
KEY TAKEWAYS:
DAY OF DEBUTS: Tonight’s NWSL x LIGA MX Summer Cup opening match against Utah Royals FC featured three debuts. Defender Julia Lester started in the match to make her Reign FC debut. First-year midfielder Sam Meza, who was drafted by the Reign as the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft, made…