Match Forecast: Seattle Reign FC Return to League Play Against San Diego

This Friday, Reign FC plays San Diego Wave FC in the first of three consecutive road matches. After one week off NWSL play for an international window, the two west coast teams return to action, going head-to-head for the first time this season.

WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. PT at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

WHERE TO WATCH: Fans can tune in on Prime Video.

2025 NWSL REGULAR SEASON RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): Seattle Reign FC: 4-4-2 (14 points, 6th place), San Diego Wave FC: 6-2-2 (20 points, 2nd place)

Key Info Ahead of the Match:

1. LAST MEETING – The Reign and Wave last met at Lumen Field in May of last season. The Reign won the match 2-1 in a chaotic fixture featuring two red cards and a comeback win from Seattle.

Off to a tough start in front of a home crowd of over 7,000 fans, Reign FC was issued a red card just nine minutes into the action, forcing the team to play down a player for the vast majority of the match. Two minutes later, things got even worse for the Reign, as they conceded a goal.

Down a player and a goal, Seattle still pushed on, eventually equalizing in the 34th minute of the match. Drama ensued in the second half, as the Reign scored an 89th minute game-winning goal and a San Diego player was issued a yellow card 15 minutes into stoppage time.

All time, the Reign lead the head-to-head series with eight wins, one loss and two draws, and have outscored the Wave 16-6.

2. SCOUTING SAN DIEGO WAVE FC – The Wave are currently in second place in the NWSL standings, with 20 points, just four points behind the league-leading Kansas City Current. On a hot streak, the Wave most recently defeated the North Carolina Courage to extend their unbeaten streak to six games, the longest record in club history.

Though the wave defeated North Carolina 5-2, the Courage scored first, just 12 minutes into the match, but that lead was short lived as San Diego answered back in the 25th minute. About five minutes before halftime, the Wave took the lead for the first time in the match and went into halftime up 2-1. Returning from halftime, the Courage struck first once again, levelling the score. However, San Diego ran away with the match in the final 40 minutes, adding three more goals to secure the win.

San Diego has three players out for the match - Trinity Byars (SEI – knee), Hillary Beall (upper leg) and Chiamaka Okwuchukwu (lower leg), in addition to one player questionable - Gia Corley (lower limb).

3. BACK FROM BREAK – Both Reign FC and Wave FC had many players away on international duty in the May/June FIFA window. For the Reign, 12 players represented seven different squads. Forward Lynn Biyendolo had a standout performance with the United States Women’s National Team, coming on as a second half substitute against Jamaica and bagging a brace

Meanwhile, nine San Diego players represented seven different countries. Forward Adriana Leon got the scoring started for Canada, notching two goals in the first 10 minutes of the team’s first friendly against Haiti.

4. PLAYERS TO WATCH – The depth of both squads will be put to the test coming off the international break. Over half of the Reign’s most recent starting lineup was away on international duty over the last week, so the team will be relying on key players to anchor the squad.

Defenders Phoebe McClernon and Lauren Barnes will be counted on to bring their calm, veteran presences to the backline. McClernon, who has appeared in every match this season for the Reign, leads the team in pass attempts and blocks. Barnes, renowned for her leadership on the pitch, has started in seven straight matches for the Reign. She has a passing accuracy of 80% and has made six tackles.

For San Diego, defenders Kristen McNabb and Perle Morroni continue to lead the team. Both players notched their first goals of the season in the Wave’s recent 5-2 win over the Courage. For Morroni, the goal marked her first-ever NWSL goal and her third goal contribution for San Diego in three matches. She also leads the team in attempted dribbles and tackles, as well as interceptions. McNabb, an experienced defender, has three tackles and interceptions, as well as three shots, all of which were on target.

AVAILABILITY REPORT:

OUT

Ryanne Brown (SEI – knee)

Ana-Maria Crnogorčević (leg)

Jordyn Huitema (excused absence)

Veronica Latsko (SEI – lower leg)

Cassie Miller (D-45 - leg)

QUESTIONABLE

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