NWSL Seattle Reign FC

Seattle in Orlando for Lifetime Game of the Week

Published on July 19, 2018 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Seattle Reign FC News Release


Seattle - After dropping a 1-0 match on the road in Chicago last Saturday evening, Seattle Reign FC (8-4-5, 29 points) is in Florida for a critical match against the Orlando Pride (8-6-4, 28 points) this Saturday, July 21. Clinging to its second-place standing by one point, Seattle needs a win to create distance between third-place Orlando, as well as Chicago, Portland and Utah, who are all fighting for a top four finish and a spot in the NWSL playoffs. This match, which is Lifetime's Game of the Week, kicks off at 12:30 p.m. PT from Orlando City Stadium.

Reign FC has earned points in four of its last five matches. After a scoreless tie with Utah on June 27, Seattle strung together three consecutive victories. The run ended with a loss to the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday after Sam Kerr's winner in the 87th minute.

Defense has been Seattle's calling card all season. In seventeen matches, Reign FC has recorded eight clean sheets and allowed just 14 goals. Seattle is also third in the league in tackles won, with 255 on the season.

Seattle's opponents are scoring just .82 goals per match. This gives Reign FC the second-best average in the league, trailing only North Carolina (.77). On the other end, Orlando has struggled to keep the ball out of their net. The Pride have surrendered 25 goals across 18 matches (1.38 goals allowed per match), putting them sixth out of nine teams. Despite Orlando's porous defense thus far, Reign FC head coach Vlatko Andonovski knows that scoring chances will be difficult to come by.

"In the two games we've played against them this year we've only scored one goal," Andonovski said. "Every time we've played them in the past it's a huge battle in the middle of the park with not many chances. It's going to be like that in this upcoming game as well. I think one little thing is going to decide the game."

Orlando closed the gap with Seattle with a win in its most recent showing. Playing on the road in Utah, the third-place Pride captured three points. The 2-1 win over Royals FC came from an Alex Morgan penalty kick and a goal by Kristen Edmonds in the 52nd minute. Facing a stout Utah defense, Orlando mustered six shots on goal. The Pride fared worse in passing accuracy and possession but capitalized on the opportunities they were given. Andonovski knows that beating Orlando starts with keeping them off the scoreboard, and limiting chances from their key players.

"They have Marta, Sydney Leroux has been on fire this season, and Chioma Ubogagu is doing well for them," Andonovski said. "They have really creative, attacking minds. It's not going to be easy to stop them. I always say, there is no team in this league that isn't good. Orlando is one of the top teams in the league, but we're going to do whatever it takes to contain them."

Each team will be without some of its marquee players on Saturday. For Seattle, midfielder Allie Long and forward Megan Rapinoe will be training with the U.S. Women's National Team in preparation for the Tournament of Nations. Orlando forward Alex Morgan will be with the U.S. team as well, joining her Pride teammate Ashlyn Harris.

Fans can watch the match live on Lifetime Network and keep up with live stats on the NWSL website at www.nwslsoccer.com. Fans can also 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 #ORLvSEA.

Seattle Reign FC will be back in action at home on Sunday, August 5 at 6:00 p.m. PT in a match against the Washington Spirit. Tickets for the game can be purchased at reignfc.com/tickets.

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from July 19, 2018


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