Are you a Sounders Alliance member (season ticket holder)? You got an email inviting you to the Reign opener. Shared commercial partnerships are starting to emerge. Attempts at this relationship stuttered. They were on, off, on, off. It never worked as well as could be imagined.
It's an exciting time for the business of Reign.
More important than the business, it's an exciting time for the squad.
After a bad season, Seattle Reign went with a strong youth bent. There are still some legacy players (Fish, Lu), but it's the youth that will define the season.
What's rather fun is that they've inverted the standard youth-vet paradigm. The youth are in the back while the NWSL vets are up front (for the most part). It's a depth chart with potential to explode onto the season.
Imagine if the Sounders started their season after acquiring experienced attackers with a youth movement in defense. Yes, that's volatile, but it also hints at a significant transition in style.
Last season's static backline that struggled to pass is over. Paired with a frontline with a lot more speed, Bugg, Curry, Glas, etc., are of an era that expects a full outfield of passers. They'll have support from a strong midfield which should start with seasoning and enable the youth to support off the bench.
A more cautious team unwilling to adventure wouldn't commit to this level of change. From last year's opener, there will be about a 50% change on Saturday. It's a brave overhaul for a team that's had to balance reputation with winning for so long.
As Reign fans watched their originals develop from youthful potential stars into World Cup and Olympic legends, they'll get to do so again. Roster changes in the NWSL empowered some of that.
Hiring a former college talent evaluator as their GM helps Reign.
Get ready for a season of potential, of volatility and of women who absolutely demand the respect they earn by being the best at their craft – in the world.
Use our affiliate links to support your bloggers when buying merch and tickets.
Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here's what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next match: Saturday, March 15 at 5:30 pm PT, the Sounders are in St. Louis on MLS Season Pass. St. Louis is 1-0-2, +3. Seattle is 1-1-1, +1.
- Paul Arriola suffers torn ACL, likely out for rest of 2025
- Under The Lights: Can the Seattle Sounders bounce back?
- With eyes on new stadium, Sounders can’t lose sight of current problems
- Maybe Cruz Azul properly rated the Sounders, after all
- Postgame Pontifications: Picking up the pieces
- Limping away: Sounders eliminated from Concacaf
- Lobbing Scorchers: Highest of Highs, Lowest of Lows
Reign
Next match: Saturday, March 15 at 7 pm PT, Reign host Gotham on iON television.
- Match preview: Seattle Reign vs. Gotham
- Everything you need to know to prep for 2025 Reign season
- Reign depth chart looks familiar, but with key improvements for 2025
- Seattle Reign milestones to follow in 2025
- Young Seattle Reign players to watch in 2025
Defiance
Next match: Tonight! Defiance host The Town (San Jose) at 7 pm PT at Starfire ($5+ to RAVE to get in) on MLS Season Pass.
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
There's a lot going on in the soccer world, but this is only going to be a selection of NWSL previews since the league starts tonight.
- 2025 NWSL MVP Tracker: Rating the stars from Chawinga to Rodman, Banda, Shaw, more
- NWSL ambition rankings: Who is No. 1 in 2025 when it comes to raising the game?
- NWSL 2025 predictions: Pride looking for repeat, top newcomers and more
- Roku launches first women's sports league zone for NWSL
- From 'overregulating to the Wild West': Youth soccer players bypassing college for NWSL
- Top 10 NCAA Players Entering the NWSL in 2025
This newsletter was made possible through the support of Full Pull Wines, a boutique wines reseller that has been sponsoring us since 2011. You can join their mailing list here.
Your players aren’t supposed to die (a D&D rememberance)
