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NWSL Seattle Reign FC

Reign FC Welcomes North Carolina Courage in a Battle of the NWSL's Top-Ranked Teams

June 21, 2018 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Seattle Reign FC News Release


(Seattle) - In a clash of the league's top teams, second-place Seattle Reign FC (5-2-4, 19 points) will host the first-place North Carolina Courage (9-1-3, 30 points), on Saturday, June 23. The match - which is Reign FC's Pride Match 2018 - kicks off at 1:00 p.m. PT on UW Medicine Pitch at Memorial Stadium.

Though Reign FC trails North Carolina in the NWSL standings, the team has played two fewer matches than the Courage. Seattle has lost just twice in 11 matches, while North Carolina is yet to lose on the road this season, with a 5-0-1 record in six away games.

Seattle and North Carolina met previously this season, with North Carolina pulling out a 1-0 win in Cary, NC on April 18. Jessica McDonald knocked in the only goal of the evening off an assist from Kristen Hamilton. Megan Rapinoe - Seattle's leading scorer - sat out the game with a hamstring injury.

Saturday's match is arguably the most significant of Reign FC's regular season schedule. Three points for Seattle would be critical in closing the gap on North Carolina, who suffered its first loss of the season on June 16 against Utah Royals FC. Reign FC is undefeated in its last three games and has recorded three consecutive shutouts. Assistant coach Sam Laity says facing a tough North Carolina squad is a challenge that the club is ready for.

"You know what you're going to get from them," Laity said. "It's going to be competitive. It's going to be aggressive; it's going to be direct. We'll be prepared for that. It's about matching their intensity and taking your chances."

North Carolina forward Jessica McDonald is among the league's leaders in shots, goals, and assists. Five of the Courage's national team players - Abby Dahlkemper, Crystal Dunn, Merritt Mathias, Samantha Mewis, and McCall Zerboni - were all part of the USWNT rosters for the team's friendlies in early June against China. In addition, Denise O'Sullivan represented Ireland in a World Cup qualifying match on June 8.

Seattle remains the only team in the league with an undefeated home record. Reign FC has two wins and two ties this season on UW Medicine Pitch at Memorial Stadium. This will be the second match between the Courage and Reign FC played in the Emerald City. On August 13, 2017, North Carolina fought to a 2-1 victory in Seattle, snapping Reign FC's previous 15-match unbeaten streak at home. Laity expects the atmosphere on Saturday to be incredible.

"It's going to be electric," Laity said with a smile. "The two top teams in the league going toe-to-toe. Lots of national team players, both from the U.S. and abroad. It should be a great spectacle for the fans."

Fans can get tickets for Saturday's match at reignfc.com/courage or via phone at (855) REIGN-FC. The match can also be streamed live via go90.com or the go90 app, with live stats available on the NWSL website at www.nwslsoccer.com. Follow along with live play-by-play of the match on Reign FC's official Twitter page, @ReignFC, and join the conversation using the hashtag #SEAvNC.

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from June 21, 2018


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