Reign FC players shine on the international stage

Alli Haynie -

Six Seattle Reign FC players featured for their national teams during the NWSL preseason, and all made key contributions to their teams.

Ji's free kick magic

Ji So-Yun took the pitch for South Korea in a friendly against the Czech Republic on February 24th. Ji opened the scoring, lobbing a free kick over the wall and into the net in a 2-1 victory. She also started their next game against Portugal, which ended in a 0-4 defeat. 

Seattle's Welsh dragons

The Welsh trio of Jess Fishlock, Lily Woodham, and Angharad James played pivotal roles in a friendly against Ireland on February 27th. Fishlock struck early with a tap-in off a rebounded corner kick in the 7th minute. 

Fifteen minutes later, Woodham doubled the lead for Cymru, rocketing a one-touch into the upper 90 and securing the 2-0 victory. 

Huitema scores, Quinn hits a milestone

Reign FC's Canadians had a formidable run through the group stage of the inaugural CONCACAF W Gold Cup. Jordyn Huitema and Quinn each started two games as they collected wins against El Salvador, Paraguay, and Costa Rica. Huitema scored twice in the group stage, helping get her team to a quarterfinal against Costa Rica, which Canada narrowly escaped with a 1-0 victory in extra time. 

They faced the United States in a dramatic semifinal full of early puddles and late goals on March 6th in San Diego. Huitema’s heroic header saved Canada from elimination in the 82nd minute, but the joy was short-lived.

Each team scored once in extra time, and the USA prevailed (3-1) in the eventual shootout. Quinn was the only Canadian to convert their kick from the spot.

The night also marked a milestone for Quinn, as their entry into the match in the 68th minute was their 100th appearance for Canada.

Rather unusually, there are no Reign players on this USWNT squad after Alana Cook was replaced on the roster due to a minor knee injury sustained in preseason training. The US will meet Brazil in the final on Sunday, while the rest of the Reign's internationals return to Seattle to wrap up the preseason.