NWSL Seattle Reign FC

Reign FC Begins Two-Game Road Trip in Chicago

Published on September 2, 2016 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Seattle Reign FC News Release


SEATTLE- This Sunday, Seattle Reign FC head to Chicago to face the Red Stars for the final time this season . It will be the first time Reign FC has played the Red Stars at their new home venue for the 2016 season, Toyota Park.

The game will be live-streamed on the NWSL's official YouTube channel and can be watched at youtube.com/nwsl . Fans can also follow live play-by-play at Reign FC's official Twitter page, @SeattleReignFC, and can join the conversation using the hashtag #CHIvSEA.

Reign FC's (6-5-5, 23 points) previous match was a 3-1 victory over rival Portland Thorns FC. It was Seattle's first win against Portland this season.

"I think you saw in the Portland game how important it was for us to get the victory," said Seattle Reign FC head coach Laura Harvey. "Not only in the performance over 90 minutes, but in the reaction to Megan's [Rapinoe] goal at the end of the game. It was a symbolic moment. We've got the first win of the five that we need."

Depending on other results across NWSL play this weekend, a win would keep Seattle in the hunt for the fourth and final playoff spot. A victory could potentially put Reign FC only one point out of fourth place.

"We've got a championship mentality," said Harvey. "Win you go through. Lose you go home. That's where we're at."

Seattle has an all-time record of 3-4-3 against Chicago, but all three of their victories have come at home. The Red Stars currently have a five-game undefeated streak against Reign FC.

In the first meeting between the two teams this season Reign FC fell 2-1 at Memorial Stadium.

"The big thing in Chicago is that we have to change the record book. We have to go there and do something we haven't done before and that's win," said Harvey. "We've always found Chicago a difficult place to play, and it's going to be no different this weekend."

The match will be the toughest test yet for Seattle's offense. Chicago has only allowed 14 goals this season, the best in the league, and has a goals against average of just 0.88.

Reign FC may look to Megan Rapinoe to help push the offense forward. Rapinoe made her season debut in the win against Portland this past weekend, scoring the final goal of the match to ensure three points for Seattle. The midfielder has scored three goals all-time against the Red Stars.

"Getting Megan [Rapinoe] back gives us real, real depth in the squad," said Harvey. "Someone who can come off the bench right now and change the game. Obviously we want to try and get Megan more and more minutes as she gets back into it, so that she's fully ready to go as soon as possible."

Chicago (8-4-4, 28 points) is in third place on the NWSL table, after defeating Sky Blue FC 3-1 last weekend. The Red Stars are currently on a league-leading four-game unbeaten streak, and have not lost at home this season.

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from September 2, 2016


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