Match preview: Seattle Reign vs. Gotham

Seattle Reign start their 2025 season against Gotham FC on Saturday, March 15. The home match at Lumen Field will kick off at 7 PM PT and will air on ION, which in addition to being available over the air in most markets, is also available on several free streaming apps like Tubi, Pluto TV, and Roku.

After a rough 2024 season, the Reign might not be rising to the top of a lot of projected playoff lists right now. That doesn't faze the team. They are ready to prove a lot of doubters wrong, just like they did in 2014 after a rough inaugural NWSL season. As head coach Laura Harvey told reporters ahead of the match, the Reign responded well to that first season – winning the NWSL Shield in 2014 and advanced to the NWSL Championship. That has really shaped the club's mindset.

"We had that really awful first year, and ever since then it's been about proving everyone wrong. I think that's been instilled in the group every single year, and we hope that we never have to have a year like we did last year, but if we can replicate what happened post year one, then I'll be more than happy with that response."

Unfortunately, the Reign will be without Lynn Biyendolo, who is day-to-day with a lower leg injury that she picked up last week. According to Harvey, they don't think it's a long-term injury and she should be back soon. "She seems to be turning a corner, which is great, and getting closer and closer to being back to the group."

Despite not having Biyendolo, Reign defender Madison Curry said the players are focused on making Lumen Field a dominant fortress this year.

"I'm super excited to play at Lumen. Being out there today [at training] gave me chills. We had a lot of goal-building exercises that really resonated with us. The first one we can start this weekend, which is making our home field a fortress. We want to make it a place that is really hard for people to come in and play. We've done everything we can to make it that way, and tomorrow is just the first chance to put that in motion. We are all really ready and we all believe in what we've done this preseason, and I think we can feel confident going into tomorrow."

Any fans looking for a place to hang before the match can join the Royal Guard Supporters Group at the Hatback Bar & Grille on 1st Ave. Hatback is an all-ages venue. Make sure you get to the stadium for the player walkout and anthem, as the Royal Guard will be unveiling a tifo for the match.

Head-to-Head

• The Reign are 12-10-8 against Gotham, scoring 43 goals and conceding 40
• That includes a 6-7-4 record at home

2024 results

• Gotham finished the 2024 season in third place with a 17-4-5 record, advancing to the NWSL semifinals
• Gotham scored 41 goals and conceded 20
• The Reign ended in 13th place with a 6-15-5 record. It was a season to forget!

Offseason moves

• Gotham saw 14 players depart this offseason due to free agency, trades, and retirements, including Crystal Dunn, Jenna Nighswonger, Yazmeen Ryan, Lynn Biyendolo, and Delanie Sheehan.
• Gotham also sent Cassie Miller to the Reign in the trade that included Biyendolo, and saw defenders Maitane López and Sam Hiatt choose other teams in free agency.
• The team brought in several new players to fill these gaps, including several college players like UCLA midfielder Sofia Cook and defender Lilly Reale, who was considered one of the best college players available.
• They also added Brazilian forward Gabi Portilho from Corinthians, and Midge Purce re-signed for the season after missing 2024 with an ACL tear.
• The club also added midfielder Stella Nyamekye, who had a strong performance for Ghana in the U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Gotham Players to Watch

Ella Stevens: The 27-year-old forward scored seven goals and assisted four last year for Gotham and earned her first call-up to the U.S. Women's National Team for their January camp this year. Stevens is really efficient in front of the net and was fifth in the league in goal-creating actions last year. The Reign can't give her any space to turn and operate.

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Tierna Davidson: The 26-year-old centerback is really difficult to get behind. The left-footed player is also a great distributor that can send dangerous balls to the frontline. A U.S. Women's National Team regular, Davidson has mentioned that in addition to the tactical side of things, she's hoping to grow as a leader. Their opening match of 2025 will be a great test for her to show this.

Jaelin Howell: The tenacious midfielder was a Seattle Reign player for just a few months. She'll now slot into a Gotham squad that likes to pressure opponents and was third in the league in fouls committed last year. If she starts, Howell is going to try to disrupt the Reign's momentum in the middle of the pitch.

What to Watch

Gotham's press: Gotham was the best high-pressing team in the league, and it doesn't appear this will change. The Reign backline will need to be poised on the ball and find ways to avoid and break the press with quick passes and balls over the top. At the same time, that means if the Reign break the press, Gotham can be out of position and vulnerable.

Set pieces: Gotham has several players who can be a threat on set pieces, including Esther, who scored against the Reign off a corner in the 2023 NWSL Championship. Gotham scored eight goals in 2024 off set pieces, according to American Soccer Analysis data. That includes direct free kicks and corners. That was second best total in the league. The Reign struggled to defend set pieces last year and will need to be a lot more organized in their home opener.

Seattle's press: As Curry told reporters on Friday ahead of the match, Gotham likes to send balls over the top (see note above about Davidson). Harvey has always said that "prevention is better than cure," so it will be important for the Reign frontline to put pressure on her or cut off these options. With Maddie Dahlien likely to start for the Reign, the home club's pressing could be quite effective.

"We're expecting a lot of balls over the top from their centerbacks and how we can negate that," Curry said. "They play a lot of people high up on the line, so we don't want to just concede all the space behind us, and we want to put pressure on them and win the ball higher up on the field, which we're really confident that we can do. So, we've done a lot of training in a higher press, and when that fails, going into a mid block. And I think we're ready for them."

Projected starting lineup

Injury / Availability Report

Seattle Reign

OUT: Lynn Biyendolo (lower leg), Ryanne Brown (SEI – knee), Veronica Latsko (SEI – lower leg), Julia Lester (foot)

Gotham FC

OUT: Bruninha (red card suspension), Rose Lavelle (ankle), Midge Purce (knee), Jessica Silva (eye)

How to Watch

The Reign kick off at Lumen Field against Gotham at 7 PM PT on Saturday, March 15. The match will air on ION.