Top takeaways from the Seattle Reign FC home loss against Bay FC, September 29, 2024
By Becca Weinberg, edited by Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA - In another match with big playoff implications for both teams, a sleepy Reign FC offense couldn’t hold off Bay FC and their strong attack, and the Reign have now fallen eight points below the playoff line. Both teams really needed a win this afternoon to keep their playoff aspirations alive, but a tight loss leaves the Reign still mathematically in the hunt with four matches to play. For the Reign, this loss felt all too familiar considering the amount of matches this season where the club has generated chances and failed to capitalize upon them, while a defensive mistake or perhaps an interesting call led to a goal against that ultimately was the nail in the coffin. With the season rumbling towards an end, Seattle can ill afford these losses and this result may make the playoff mountain too difficult to climb.
Failure to capitalize on goal-scoring chances
A major theme of today’s game, and the vast majority of this 2024 season, were the failed chances at goal by Reign FC’s attack. A few early corners that never unfolded into a chance on goal, and missed shots at the top of the box by Quinn and Jordyn Huitema in the first half would have secured an important equalizer. With their forwards not getting any service, the team was trying to create chances any way they could, but were continually stopped by Bay FC’s back line. In the second half, the team’s first shot on goal didn’t come until the 85th minute, with some steady possession yet no promising attack. The penalty scored from Bay FC’s Asisat Oshala given up in the 25th minute by defender Phoebe McClernon was the only goal of the game, and although the Reign continued trying to create scoring chances, their opportunities to capitalize were wasted. To become a threatening playoff contender down the stretch, the Reign need to be able to convert on chances at goal and put the ball in the back of the net when it matters most.
Importance of playing with urgency
When the Reign’s offense finally did start to challenge balls and seize opportunities on goal, it was too late in the match to make a difference. There was a strong sense of urgency present during the last few minutes of stoppage time to get the ball into the box, but it was nowhere to be found during the rest of the match. This would’ve been a very different game if the Reign had brought the intensity and urgency to the entire duration that their late-game push for goal presented. It will be increasingly important for the team to create chances early and continue pushing forward if they want a chance at playoff soccer, and that opportunity only lessens more and more with just a handful of matches left to be played in the 2024 regular season.
Jess Fishlock’s absence continues to leave a big gap in the midfield
The team has certainly felt the absence of Fishlock as they lost their third straight match after her leg injury. The veteran midfielder and club original’s presence and chemistry with her teammates has long been one of the keys to the team’s success, and they’ve been forced to step up and find ways to continue playing at a high level without her. With both Jaelin Howell and Olivia Athens getting minutes in the midfield at times alongside Quinn and Ji So-yun, the team is starting to build together but still trying to combine into a solid attack in Fishlock’s absence. Howell’s ability is certainly present and she is still young at that, but she is still somewhat new to the club and getting the best of her performances on the pitch isn’t always a guarantee for a player that joins a club after mid-season.
What’s next?
Mark your calendars for October 4th at 7PM PDT: Seattle Reign FC’s next match will be against the team right above them in the playoff hunt, Angel City FC and will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video. Each match will continue to be of major importance as the Reign look to move up into a playoff spot by the end of the regular season, as they currently sit eight points out of the final spot on the playoff line. If the team can start piecing together an attack early in the match and capitalizing on their opportunities to score, they could be a force to be reckoned with. Considering the uphill battle that they’ll face to get into that playoff spot, having to win out and get some outside help, there’s no guarantee that a late push could even help them reach the postseason. This match against Angel City is also the Reign’s “Kick Breast Cancer” match presented by Multicare.
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Instagram: @CirclingSeattleSports Twitter: @CirclingSports Threads: @CirclingSeattleSports Tiktok: @CirclingSeattleSports Facebook: Circling Seattle Sports Bluesky: @circlingseasports.bsky.social 〰️
Check out our previous Seattle Reign FC articles here.
Check out our previous articles with writing by Becca Weinberg here, and her work with Lookout Landing here.
Cover photo by Jane Gershovich/Seattle Reign FC. Check out Jane’s portfolio here.
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