Seattle Reign FC x Washington Spirit

Seattle Reign FC kicked off their 2024 NWSL season with a commanding 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit on a sunny afternoon in Seattle. The match began with an early penalty awarded to Reign FC, which forward Bethany Balcer converted confidently in the third minute to set the tone for the game.

Despite a short preseason, Reign FC displayed cohesion, controlling possession and showcasing a strong defensive performance, limiting the Spirit to just one shot in the first half. Newcomers Lily Woodham, Angharad James-Turner, and Ji So-Yun made impressive debuts, contributing to the team's solid display on the field.

Throughout the match, Reign FC continued to press forward, creating numerous scoring opportunities and dominating play in the attacking third. Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey maintained her stellar form, securing her third consecutive clean sheet in regular-season play.

The victory marked several milestones for Reign FC, including the debut of 17-year-old Emeri Adames, who became the youngest player in club history to take the field. Additionally, Balcer's early goal set a club record for the quickest opening goal in a season, highlighting her importance to the team's attacking prowess.

With the win, Reign FC extended their unbeaten streak in home openers to seven games and improved their all-time series record against the Washington Spirit to 14-9-8. The strong start bodes well for Reign FC as they aim to build momentum and continue their success throughout the 2024 season.

[Photography by Jackie Shinstrom]