A bit of luck gave the Reign a 1-1 draw against NJ/NY Gotham FC on Sunday. With 11 games remaining and eight points back from the eighth and final NWSL playoff spot, Seattle’s season technically wasn’t revived at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.
They’re still looking for a strong pulse. The Reign remain one of two teams that are winless on the road this season. San Diego, which fired coach Casey Stoney last week, is 0-4-4 while the Reign are 0-7-1.
Seattle’s last win was in May against the Wave.
Quinn had a perfect delivery on a free kick from distance in the 98th minute. The ball missed Veronica Latsko by inches, but Gotham defender Nealy Martin headed in the own goal.
In some ways, the Reign (2-9-4) were looking at their past in Gotham’s present. The once struggling East Coast franchise started five players Sunday who were named to the U.S. women’s Olympic team that will compete in Paris in July — including former Reign players in midfielder Rose Lavelle and defender Emily Sonnett, who both left via free agency last winter.
Seattle had eight players overall — the most in the NWSL — compete in the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year. The Reign started two possible 2024 Olympians on Sunday in Canadians Quinn and Jordyn Huitema.
Lavelle notched the opening goal in the 47th minute. Gotham defender Jenna Nighswonger started the scoring play with a feed in the midfield to Ella Stevens, who beat Reign defender Alana Cook for the assist to Lavelle.
Reign center back Shae Holmes was the last defender for Stevens and Lavelle to outwit before taking a shot at keeper Claudia Dickey. Unable to be contained, Lavelle netted her fourth goal of the season.
Sunday’s meeting between Gotham (8-3-4) and the Reign was a rematch of last fall’s league title match. Lavelle scored Seattle’s lone goal in the 2-1 loss. It was Gotham’s first title in their league history.
Reign defender Sofia Huerta thought she had the equalizer in the 71st minute. The beautiful strike from distance hit the post and teammate Bethany Balcer’s rebound shot was saved on the line by Gotham keeper Ann Berger, who kissed the ball once safely in her hands.
Tziarra King had two of Seattle’s strongest looks in a lackluster opening half. Berger had a save in the seventh minute and the other was blocked in the 40th.
Phoebe McClernon left the match in tears in the 59th minute. The Reign defender was replaced by Lily Woodham.
The Reign played without captain Lu Barnes and Ryanne Brown. The defenders suffered leg injuries in the draw against Racing Louisville at Lumen Field last week.
Seattle, which is unbeaten in its past three matches, returns to Lumen Field to play last-placed Utah (2-11-2) next Sunday. The expansion side fired coach Amy Rodriguez and goalkeeper coach Maryse Bard-Martel on Sunday. Royals assistant Jimmy Coenraets was named the interim coach.