Once upon a time, in a life far-far-away, I had the opportunity to work for Reign FC. It was a thrilling time to be associated with these players who were the grandest of the grand.
Their personalities were simultaneously huge and humble. One month they’d be at a World Cup and the next they’d be in Tacoma having an ice cream along the bay.
Seattle Reign, our queens, are back in Seattle. But they’re still that mix of royalty, dragons and that grit that is unwilling to give in to a world that makes life so hard.
On Sunday, in the palace of sport they’ve deserved for so long, Reign undertake their 11th quest for the Cup. They have shields and other honors. But it’s the NWSL Cup they have yet to acquire.
Free agency hit them hard.
So they wandered the wilds of women’s soccer to find dragons and a seven-time honoree as Korea’s women’s player of the year.
There are certainly reasons to doubt the squad. There have been reasons to doubt the squad every single year – heck, there are reasons to doubt the team and the league every year.
There’s also hope. That’s what openers are all about.
Potential is ripe for this collection of athletes. They keep tasting the promise while falling just short. They don’t have to worry about a fragile league. They don’t have to worry about the fragile team. They don’t have to worry about moving.
They just get to create the best version of themselves for the city and the Sound to be. We get to see that artistry every weekend – the creation of the future of Reign FC, the NWSL and their best selves.
Let it Reign.
– Dave Clark
I'll be hanging out at Fast Fashion Brewing in SoDo prior to the Sounders game.
Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Missed the week's news? Here are our latest stories
Reign
- Seattle Reign primer ahead of the 2024 NWSL season
- NWSL tier rankings: Let’s go 2024
- Catching up on Seattle Reign’s offseason roster changes
- Exploring Seattle Reign's 2024 Depth Chart
- 2024 NWSL Fantasy with Ride of the Valkyries
- Reign to retire Megan Rapinoe’s #15 jersey on August 25
- Seattle Reign sign 2024 draft pick Maddie Mercado
- Seattle Reign sign Emeri Adames through 2027
Sounders
- Getting to know the Rapids and our new partner Backheeled
- Three questions with Burgundy Wave
- Albert Rusnák returns to full training
- ‘We definitely need a win’
- MLS Fantasy Week 4: Early points can pay dividends
- Sound Bite(s), Episode 29: When will Union-Sounders resume?
- Sounders learn Leagues Cup group stage schedule
- Sounder at Heart forges partnership with Backheeled
Defiance
Ballard
Upcoming pro soccer schedule
Reign and Defiance begin their seasons. Spokane plays their home opener. The state is hosting four pro soccer games.
- Reign: Sunday March 17 at Lumen Field against Washington Spirit at 3 p.m. PT on NWSL +
- Sounders: Saturday March 16 at Lumen Field against Colorado Rapids at 12:30 p.m. PT on FOX and Apple TV (free)
- Defiance: Friday March 15 on the road against Austin FC II at 6 p.m. PT on MLS Season Pass
- Spokane Velocity: Saturday March 16 at ONE Spokane Stadium against Richmond Kickers at 2 p.m. PT on SWX and ESPN+
- Tacoma Stars (indoor): Friday March 15 at accesso ShoWare Center against Chihuahua Savage at 7:05 p.m. PT on Twitch.tv
Purchasing the new jersey or planning to get MLS Season Pass? Use our affiliate links to toss some coin to your bloggers.
Looking back at the week's news
Everything else you need to know.
Seattle has the queen back. The next era of Reign FC is now. American Soccer Analysis is down on the international talent added.
There's ownership movement in the NWSL. San Diego Wave were just purchased for $113 million and Angel City is on the market now too. Is it because they're ambitious? Maybe. But it's also because women's sports are on a big upswing.
SaH partner Backheeled released their NWSL power rankings – Gotham is number one. EPSN previews every team and the talent added.
Vlatko doesn't feel he has anything to prove to others as he returns to Kansas City.
The Commish wants to remind you that the NWSL has every match available in its new media package. As a reminder, Friday nights are on Prime Video while the Saturday evening double header is on ION.
The NWSLPA wants to remind you that drafts and trades without player consent are unnecessary.
NWSL teams added significant talent from within and outside of the league.
Women's sports bars continue to rise around the country.
The dWomen's Champion Cup is coming and three NWSL teams will be in it.
Three Austrian players participated in a homophobic chant in their club games. Their national team coach is dropping them.
Don Garber hasn't noticed any fan blowback regarding the refs who remain locked out while the replacement refs perform poorly. He also paraphrases Thanos when talking about the Open Cup's reduction in importance being for the greater good. The league may make more U-22 slots available by the summer transfer window.
The Open Cup handbook details are available.
FC Cincinnati suspended a reporter for reporting.
NYCFC's stadium keeps taking steps towards reality.
Oakland Roots and Soul will play at the Coliseum next year.
Every match of the Open Cup will be streamed.
MLS is free-to-watch this weekend.
USL League One, with Spokane Velocity now, is about to dramatically increase in size, probably, maybe.
Expectations are high for Defiance in the MLS Next Pro Western Conference.
FIFA is expanding the Men's U-17 tournament to 48 teams and locking it into Qater for five years.
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