Match Preview: Seattle Reign vs. Angel City

On Friday evening, Seattle Reign will face another team riding a two-game winning streak when they travel to Los Angeles to take on Angel City FC. The match kicks off at 7 PM PT and will air on Prime Video for fans in the U.S. and NWSL+ for all international viewers.

Angel City recently beat the San Diego Wave on the road and then the Chicago Red Stars at home. Like the Reign, they seem to really be finding their form after the Olympic break. They're also getting strong performances out of players who didn't get time early in the season, like forward Messiah Bright.

"Similar to us, I think they've just clicked a little bit lately," Reign head coach Laura Harvey said when asked about what's been key to Angel City's recent run of form. Harvey also noted how much she loves playing at BMO Stadium, where the fans are close to the field and create an amazing environment.

"We always have good games against Angel City. I think that this stadium is fantastic and brings a fantastic atmosphere. It's a place that I always circle on my calendar every year."

The Reign will unfortunately have to battle it out for three points without their new midfield enforcer Jaelin Howell, who is out this weekend due to yellow card accumulation.

Recent Results

The Reign came from behind to earn their first road win of the season last weekend – beating Racing Louisville 3-2 and extending their regular-season undefeated streak to six games. Angel City scored in second-half stoppage time to defeat the Chicago Red Stars 2-1.

Head-to-Head

This is the first matchup between the two teams in 2024.

• The Reign are 7-1-1 all-time against Angel City.
• Seattle has a 3-1-0 road record against the LA club.
• The Reign have scored 17 goals in this matchup, while Angel City has scored 7.

Quick Stats

• Angel City (6-9-3, 21 points) has scored 20 goals and conceded 28.
• Angel City currently sits in 9th place, just out of playoff position.
• Seattle Reign (4-9-5, 17 points) has scored 20 goals and conceded 30.
• The Reign are 1-7-1 on the road this season. Angel City is 3-5-1 at home.

What to Watch

Alyssa Thompson is on a tear

After going scoreless in the opening 16 games, Angel City forward Alyssa Thompson has scored three goals in the last two games and leads Angel City with five assists. You never want to face a speedy forward who is starting to really find her form, but that's what the Reign will be up against. Thompson can get in behind defenses and is really dangerous when given space to carry the ball up the field. She's fourth in the league in carries into the penalty box and fifth in progressive passes received.

Thompson's speed is even more impressive in this field-level view of her opening goal against San Diego from two weeks ago.

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The Reign will need to close down on Thompson quickly to prevent these kinds of opportunities and defend as a collective unit higher up the field to prevent her from getting the ball.

"We know that frontline is going to be a tough one. So many forwards in this league are unreal and quick and fast, but we have a lot of confidence in the backline to deal with that," defender Shae Holmes said, adding that it will be important for the Reign to set the tone early to limit Angel City's threats.

"I think it's just about being the ones that set the tone and commit to the way that we want to play and our style and identity, and everything will follow suit. We have speed all across the backline. Even if one of us gets broken down, we know that we have another speed influencer in the back, and we're hoping that can be what contains them."

The Reign's collective press

One reason for the Reign's recent results is that they feel like they've finally clicked on the defensive side of things – with players pressing in unison and collectively pushing up the field together. The team did this incredibly well against North Carolina and limited Louisville to few chances in open play last week – preventing them from finding their wing players in transition.

Jordyn Huitema noted this when she spoke to Ride of the Valkyries about her contract extension.

"I think we're a very difficult team to score on when we get it right and when we are all on the same page and committed to the same ideology. And I think that's where we're at now, which took us a second, but we're there."

Holmes echoed these comments in a pre-match press conference.

"I think for us, we know at the core that when we press, we've just got to be all committed to it. And that's what we've really honed in on, especially as a back line. When we go, we go, we rotate, we back each other, and then we just be so aggressive that they can't make the next move. I think that's what's helped. When we're going, we're going as a team. And I think that's been the biggest difference."

Getting this right will be crucial against Angel City, a team that likes to play and possess the ball – averaging the third-highest possession in the league. Pressuring Angel City into mistakes could be key. According to FBref, they lead the league in errors leading to an opponent's shot (13).

Active fullbacks

Angel City likes to get their fullbacks involved in the buildup and attack. As you can see from last weekend's pass map (courtesy of @NWSLStat on Twitter/X), their fullbacks like to get high in possession.

Rookie Madison Curry has been a rock on both sides of the ball at left back, while Jasmyne Spencer has been a menace on the right side of the field from the fullback spot. M.A. Vignola, who subbed in at left back last weekend, had the game-winning assist.

As always, this gives the Reign opportunities in transition when Angel City's fullbacks are pressing up. But it also means the Reign's wide forwards will have an important job to do in the press. They need to prevent balls to Angel City's fullbacks or close down quickly on them to cut off their passing lanes or limit their ability to carry the ball up the field.

Injury / Availability Report

Seattle Reign

OUT: Ryanne Brown (SEI – knee), Jaelin Howell (suspension), Olivia Van der Jagt (excused absence)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Emeri Adames (USA), Jordyn Bugg (USA)

Angel City

OUT: Jun Endo (SEI - knee), Ali Riley (SEI – upper leg)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Gisele Thompson (USA)

How to Watch

Seattle Reign faces Angel City on Friday, September 6, at 7 PM PT. The match will air on Prime Video.