I'm not gonna lie, that one could've gone a lot better than it did. The Reign surrendered a goal in each half, showed occasional fight but never really figured out the punch to steal a result, and for the first time this season, just looked genuinely worse than their opponent. There were positives to take from the game, and it featured a very young lineup against a very motivated Angel City, but all in all... not a fun one.
Alyssa and (before she left with an injury in the 73rd minute) Gisele Thompson positively ran rampant, M.A. Vignola balled out, and another solid performance by Claudia Dickey in goal and ice-cold Ji So-yun penalty kick simply weren't enough. The Reign left with none of the points and all of the questions.
With that said, 1-1-1 and four points through three matches isn't a terrible place to be, and also feels generally fair to the quality of play so far. The roster is young, the injuries are key, there's space to grow, and we've already seen some of the promise.
Settle in, true believers. Let's review the first loss of the year.
Goalkeeper
Claudia Dickey – 7 (POTM)
Okay, I know, hear me out. She gave up two goals and that isn't ideal, but that 10th minute Alyssa Thompson goal was just about unsavable, the 63rd minute Riley Tiernan goal was exquisitely taken after the defense was caught napping, and she kept things even after conceding in the first half with two huge saves. First, on Katie Zelem in the 16th, a pacey shot destined for the far corner that she saw and corralled through traffic. Second, on Claire Emslie in the 41st, where the Reign, outnumbered in transition, gave Emslie a clean look and a touch to set up her shot – which Dickey parried down, then quickly got a paw to the rebound to establish possession before Kennedy Fuller could crash through. She was solid in the air, able to get her hand on the teasing balls Angel City frequently put into her area, denying what could've been much bigger chances. She was clean in possession, and she even found Reign players in stride on several of the desperation long balls.
This was a very, very good performance that also, unfortunately, had two goals against that the keeper just can't do much about. Her performance kept the Reign in it. They just couldn't make that count enough.
Going forward. Dickey once again made big saves, and her assertiveness in the air and quickness off her line continues to improve. There are still a lot of questions about the Reign, but Claw-dia should absolutely not be on that list. Barring Phallon Tullis-Joyce making a surprise return, there's increasingly very few keepers I'd want to trade for her for the next five years.
Defenders
Emily Mason – 3 (off 61' for Shae Holmes)
The wheels came off the Emily Mason Agenda a little bit, reminding us that a promising but inexperienced outside back is still inexperienced, and Alyssa Thompson and M.A. Vignola found a lot of joy running up her side of the pitch. Mason looked overwhelmed and not entirely up to the moment, struggling to find her touch, complete her passes (going 7 for 17), and keep her marks with the intense pressure Angel City put her under. She put in the work until getting an early hook for the more experienced Shae Holmes, but at least on the night, she was both ineffective and seemed overwhelmed by the opposition.
Going forward. It's hard to learn without being tested, and Mason was tested against Angel City. Young players will have matches like this, and how she bounces back from it should be far more informative.
Jordyn Bugg – 5
Jordyn Bugg has hardly put a foot wrong since she exploded onto the scene and demanded a starting spot as an 18 year old rookie, and she certainly had some quality moments again against Angel City, but there were mistakes and miscues to go around as well. Placed under constant pressure, Bugg's normally implacably calm passing was hurried and frequently inaccurate, and she had four potentially costly turnovers in the Reign's half of the pitch. Her work rate was as good as ever, and she made herself a defensive presence, winning multiple tackles and multiple duels and digging out five clearances and eight recoveries, but the soft touch and cultured feel for the game wasn't there, and too often, even when she made the right move, her execution left the Reign on the back foot. In the confusion on Angel City's game-winning goal, Bugg looked to be marking approximately nobody, part of a team-wide furt that ultimately led to the loss.
Going forward. Nobody should doubt the effort or the will to win. Bugg is one of the youngest players on the roster, and already boasts a remarkably developed game. She'll bounce back, she's already a must-start, and she's going to get better.
Phoebe McClernon – 6
McClernon was the only one on the back line who actually looked comfortable with the ball at her feet, and was the only one consistently able to give the Reign defense a few seconds to breathe. This was not a dominating vintage performance, but on a team that sometimes looked under siege, it was the most composed performance on offer on the back line. Aside from being the only starting defender to manage better than 75% passing accuracy, she won two tackles, four of five aerials, five recoveries, and put her foot through it for 10 big clearances. Angel City, despite their substantial tilt in possession and their consistent ability to manufacture space and find threatening passes down both flanks, ultimately only managed a few dangerous chances, and McClernon's repeated timely intercessions were a big reason why. In the confusion on Angel City's game-winning goal, Phoebe was the first one to pick up on the danger Riley Tiernan represented, but wasn't quick enough to close space and mark her, as the Reign's team-wide furt was quickly and ruthlessly punished.
Going forward. After bouncing between centerback and fullback, starter and substitute for her first couple years with the Reign, Phoebe has anchored herself as the leader of this back line, she's been good and (importantly) consistent in her role, and nobody looks particularly likely to displace her.
Madison Curry – 5
One might get the impression Angel City came out with a specific plan to bully their former player. They were also more successful at it that not, both for Curry's first hour on the left side, and her last half hour on the right after Holmes replaced Mason. She had a busy, busy night, touching the ball more than anyone else on the back line, and also clearly struggled under the consistent pressure Claire Emslie and (especially) Gisele Thompson were able to apply to her. While she struggled to find her teammates and her touch left something to be desired, she did fight like hell against her old team, and her four interceptions, six clearances, and two successful tackles did enough, most of the time, to slow up the quick, incisive buildups Angel City wanted to create.
Going forward. This is only her second pro season, and Curry clearly has both a lot to offer and more growing into the quality of the league yet to do. Outside back remains likely the two least-settled spots on the Reign roster, but Curry has a clear opportunity to settle one of them if she plays up to her potential.
Midfielders
Ji So-Yun – 7
On a team that sometimes seemed like it couldn't complete a pass, Ji was an oasis of calm. On a team struggling to progress the ball, Ji found her teammates up the field eight times. In the third minute, Ji put a streaking Maddie Dahlien in on goal with a beautifully weighted ball, and the game might've played differently if Dahlien had found her finishing touch. On a team that was struggling to slow up quick attackers and keep up with a technically skilled side to blunt Angel City's attack, she stood up four dribblers, put in five blocks, and led the side with eight recoveries. Also, she stepped up to the spot after AMC won the Reign an (admittedly somewhat soft) penalty and delivered it with absolute confidence to level the score. Executing in those moments does matter.
Going forward. Ji has found herself playing a deeper-lying role this season than early last year, and she has consistently looked good at it. It didn't really matter that she played well in that spot this time around – too much else went wrong – but that should continue to be her spot wherever we can make it happen. Also, the chemistry that's starting to develop with Dahlien looks real intriguing.
Angharad James-Turner – 5
This outing was a bit of a mixed bag for Haz: she was unafraid to mix it the fuck up, winning three tackles, going 4 for 7 in duels, and generally making a nuisance of herself in defense. She was very active defensively. On the other hand, she was untidy on the ball, misplacing a number of passes in ways that left the Reign vulnerable, and she was caught in possession on three occasions, coughing up the ball for an Angel City counter. Some of those big defensive numbers came directly out of tracking back to make up for her own mistakes – which, obviously, you do want her to do, but it's also better to not be in that position in the first place. Haz, like the Reign as a whole, won the majority of her duels, frequently made things really hard on Angel City, actually did have some opportunities to turn the narrative of the game, and still ultimately lost the battle, both for the midfield and the match in general. It also looked as though she and Emeri Adames crossed wires on the winning goal, as Haz followed Thompson's movement, and nobody picked up Emslie until it was too late.
Going forward. Her time with the Reign has been hit-and-miss, but up to this point, 2025 had been a lot more hit than miss. This was a bit of a step back, but not a disastrous one.
Sam Meza – 4 (off 61' for Nérilia Mondésir)
Also a bit of a mixed bag for Meza: playing higher up the pitch in a facsimile of the vacated Jess Fishlock role, Sam's first start was a tall ask, and she failed to make much impact. She put in the defensive effort, winning three tackles and three duels. She also completed all but one of her passes. It's important to contextualize that, though, by noting that she completed six passes – and had only 19 touches – in 60+ minutes, and none of those six passes helped to unlock Angel City. She never really found the game, and much of the Reign's midfield struggles come back to Meza being, at least on the night, unable to fill Fishlock's shoes in the attacking midfield.
Going forward. This was her first start – prior to the match, she had a grand total of 22 NWSL minutes. While it wasn't exactly a brilliant outing, Meza remains very intriguing and we should absolutely not develop a lot of strong opinions about her from less than 90 total minutes of NWSL play.
Forwards
Ana-Maria Crnogorčević – 5 (off 61' for Emeri Adames)
So this was... Crnogorčević had a messy game at forward and wasn't very effective or involved for 60 of the 61 minutes she played. She completed some passes, all of them negative, and she pressed with limited efficacy, not even really managing to slow up Angel City's progression from the front. Tenacity in the press without consistently limiting the opposition's choices or forcing them into harder options is ultimately just wasted energy. But also, she forced the issue in Angel City's penalty area, won position on the ball, baited contact for the ref to see, and won the Reign a penalty immediately after they conceded. Goals change games, and the Reign got one on the back of AMC's game awareness and assertiveness, despite the rest of the match being pretty forgettable for her.
Going forward. Even when she has an off night, AMC's savvy can create something out of nothing. She should – and probably will – be starting less frequently as Lynn and Coco get back to health, regardless, though.
Maddie Mercado – 4 (off 82' for Olivia van der Jagt)
Once again playing most of the match as the (withdrawn) center forward for the Reign, Maddie found far less joy against Angel City. Her touch was not there on the night, and too often, she received the ball in decent space only to lose the moment to a failed control or extra touch. She still showed flashes of the intriguing play from the match before, and while her passing was inconsistent, she had a couple really nice interplays with Ji So-yun that could've led to chances on a better night. After Nérilia Mondésir subbed on, she moved back into a midfield role, where she still looked a little lost and shellshocked, but found more of the game.
Going forward. Shake it off and keep on moving. Mercado's a strong midfielder, and she offers an interesting (if unfinished) look as a withdrawn forward, with flashes that remind of Dzsenifer Marozsán's run-outs as the same. This doesn't mean she's about to throw down Marozsán-level play, don't quote me on that, but she sees the game in a rare way, and the potential is there for something special.
Maddie Dahlien – 4
For five minutes, it looked like Maddie Dahlien might run right by Angel City and the Reign might have a real, real fun night. That third minute chance, Ji soft-touching a ball for Maddie to run on to, one defender to beat, one defender beaten, only the goalkeeper to get past... but she couldn't put the shot on frame, and she never really threatened again after that. I do want to give her some credit for some moments of strong hold-up play, a side of her game we haven't seen much of yet, and something the Reign were gasping for, but they weren't enough to change the state of the match.
Going forward. She's got a ton of talent, but it's still raw. Dahlien is going to score goals in this league, but so far, that opening tally remains elusive. It's good to remember she was the second-youngest player of this quite young starting lineup, and not read too much into a hard night or three.
Substitutes
Shae Holmes – 5 (on 61' for Emily Mason)
Shae Holmes substituted on for an overwhelmed Emily Mason... and the Reign immediately conceded the winning goal. (There was blame to go around, as everybody seemed a bit confused on who to mark as the cross came in, I'm not pinning it on Shae, but it sure was unfortunate timing.) After that, she helped settle down the flank, bringing some clean passing and some confident defensive positioning to a party that needed it, but with the Reign now trailing, she couldn't find a moment to change the game.
Going forward. Three games in, the Reign's fullback situation is still an unanswered question, and Holmes is a steady presence that deserves some consideration.
Emeri Adames – 3 (on 61' for Ana-Maria Crnogorčević)
Emeri Adames came on and immediately got her wires crossed with James-Turner defending wide, and... marked nobody and covered nothing while Claire Emslie got free and delivered the game-winning cross. From there, she got on the ball often, but was perhaps trying to do too much, and came away without much to show for it. She was 6-for-17 passing, she pounced on a loose ball in the area in the 75th minute only to shank it high and wide, she won only one of her four duels, and she turned it over unforced three times.
Going forward. Goldfish and do better next time. Emeri remains an electric talent with enormous potential and we won't regret giving her these minutes, either, over the long term. But, ah, this was really not her night.
Nérilia Mondésir – 6 (on 61' for Sam Meza)
Coco came on and was the most dangerous player on the field. Also, she came on and immediately took an unforced yellow card, which was shortly after followed by the chaotic team-wide defensive furt that gave Los Angeles the winning goal, but... after that, she was dynamic running and passing and pressing and looked by far the most likely source of a tying goal for the Reign. Her 61st minute chance was one of the best opportunities of the night, and if she'd kept it on frame... despite the miss, nearly every one of her 19 touches was purposeful and dangerous, and she doubled the Reign's passes and crosses into the penalty area herself. This sort of performance creates goals over the long term, it just didn't against Angel City.
Going forward. Mondésir was missed in her absence, and hopefully she works back up to starting fitness very soon. She adds a mix of quality, aggression, and creativity that nobody else on the roster has. She can be THE catalyst for this team.
Olivia van der Jagt – N/A (on 82' for Maddie Mercado)
Olo made her second short appearance of the season, replacing Mercado. She touched the ball occasionally, completed five of her six passes, and helped facilitate some of the Reign's rare spells of possession as time expired. She played for about 10 minutes. She didn't change the script already written.
Going forward. Olivia missed much of last season for personal reasons, and it's good to have her back on the pitch. There should be plenty of minutes to claim in the midfield, and she's a reliable presence there.
Referee
Gerald Flores – 5
This was for the most part a competently officiated game with a few isolated, somewhat baffling choices. Flores mostly let things flow, and mostly let the players play, and for the most part that was good enough. My nitpicks are three: he was somewhat inconsistent in going to his book for absolutely bookable offenses, allowing a little too much pulling and tugging in both directions. He probably should have shown James-Turner a card after her third foul and tenth-plus time going in hard on the opposition...
And then of course, there's the penalty. Me, I don't want that called a penalty, in general. With that said, once he called it, there wasn't a lot there to overturn it – AMC went down easily and baited the contact, but the contact was still there and it was arguably a foul, even if very soft. And with all respect to Sam Laity, the only way that could possibly even be in long-list contention for the worst call he's ever seen is if he's experiencing some very severe memory loss about his years with the Reign.
As time expired, the officiating crew rightly chalked off a potential Christen Press goal, despite NWSL comms' gushing excitement about the idea of it counting, as the play was very (very, very) offside.
Going forward. The last time Flores officiated a Reign game, I gave him a 4 and called it generous. This time, the 5, if anything, feels a bit harsh. If this is character growth, may it be lasting and may he continue to grow as a match official!
And Another Thing..!
In a lot of ways, this was a game of almost. Angel City was dominant in possession and took a ton of shots, but the Reign actually did quite well at frustrating the absolute fuck out of them in turning that dominance into quality chances. (Angel City only managed ~1 npxG on the match, whilst the Reign managed 0.6.) And even with Angel City successfully tilting the field, Maddie Dahlien and Nérilia Mondésir had the two best chances of the game and couldn't put either one away.
None of which is to say the Reign deserved a better result – it was a deserved loss against a team that put in an undeniably better performance – but I was, on rewatching, surprised at how much closer it was to a result for the Reign than my initial impression.
So... we learn from what didn't work, we watch a lot of game tape, we take the bye week to get healthy and get hype, and hopefully? We make a whole damned statement against an otherworldly-good Orlando team come April 12th.
And Another Another Thing..!
By the fourth time I saw one, I was incredibly annoyed: the league made multiple posts on multiple days on multiple social media platforms with variations on "omg but WHAT IF Christen Press' goal had counted and not been obviously offside?!" Me, I thought that was both weird and embarrassing. What if? Then the game would've been 3-1 instead of 2-1 on a fairly routine finish, I guess?
WHAT IF... the league figured out that it has an enormous pool of electric talent that actually did score good goals and do extremely cool things, deserving of hype and showcase even if they weren't on the most recent World Cup-winning USWNT squad?
