Reign FC and Gotham draw 1-1 in NWSL opener

Seattle Reign FC 1
NJ/NY Gotham FC 1
March 15, 2025
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Seattle Reign FC hosted Gotham FC on Saturday night at Lumen Field in the 2025 NWSL opener for both clubs.

Host Seattle is ready to put a frustrating 2024 in the rear view mirror. A return to the postseason is the objective for 2025, as the club continues to work in a wave of young talent with the core of veterans. The home debut of the major offseason acquisition of Lynn Biyendolo would have to wait.

The visitors from New York have seen a number of high profile players depart the club over the offseason. Getting a cross country trip out of the way early can be a good thing. Starting the campaign with Rose Lavelle and Midge Purce both out could be interesting.

Paul Kahl Photos

Nate Koppelman Photos

A downpour unlike the usual Seattle drizzle made for interesting early going.

The first half was a back and forth affair. Each side had moments of play where things rolled together and chances were created. However, both also looked at times like teams in search of their footing in an opener.

A few decent sequences led to a few chances, but real danger was not created in the first half hour.

The match went into the half level and goalless, matching the weather and play.

Gotham would open the scoring early in the second half. In the 47th minute, Gabi Portilho would get the visitors on the board with a long shot from the top of the box that took a mild deflection.

A number of yellow cards were issued late in the first and the early second half as the match got more physical.

Matters would go level in the 71st minute. Reign wing Emeri Adames would manage to poke in a goal amidst a goal mouth scramble. Adames had only entered the match a few minutes earlier, bringing a surge of energy to the Seattle attack.

Gotham would face additional challenges in the waining minutes when Mandy Freeman would be sent off for a hard foul on Reign forward Nérilia Mondesir after a VAR review.

The level scoreline would hold up through an extended stoppage time. Splitting the points from a physical game in poor weather was not a terrible result for either side.

Seattle coach Laura Harvey reflected that this was a match they would have found a way to lose last year. Both clubs showed resiliency given the circumstances.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY

NJ/NY – Gabi Portilho 47’
SEA – Emeri Adames 71’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

NJ/NY – Gabi Portilho (caution) 38’
SEA – Jordyn Huitema (caution) 42’
SEA – Jordyn Bugg (caution) 52’
NJ/NY – Sarah Schupansky (caution) 66’
NJ/NY – Jaelin Howell (caution) 74’
NJ/NY – Mandy Freeman (ejection) 87’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Phoebe McClernon, Jordyn Bugg, Madison Curry, Shae Holmes; Angharad James-Turner (Maddie Mercado 69’); Jess Fishlock (c), Ji So-Yun (Sam Meza 90’); Maddie Dahlien (Emeri Adames 69′), Ana-Maria Crnogorčević (Nérilia Mondesir 58’), Jordyn Huitema
Substitutes not used: Cassie Miller, Lauren Barnes, Emily Mason, Ainsley McCammon

Total shots: 7
Shots on goal: 1
Fouls: 14
Offside: 1
Corner-Kicks: 3
Saves: 3

NJ/NY Gotham FC – Ann-Katrin Berger; Jess Carter, Tierna Davidson (c), Emily Sonnett, Mandy Freeman; Nealy Martin, Sarah Schupansky (Lilly Reale 90′), Jaelin Howell; Ella Stevens, Gabi Portilho (Cece Kizer 73’), Esther González (Mckenna Whitham 90+3′)
Substitutes not used: Shelby Hogan, Taryn Torres, Ryan Campbell, Khyah Harper, Stella Nyamekye

Total shots: 11
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 11
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 5
Saves: 0

Referees: Alexandra Billeter
Assistants: Tiffini Turpin, Art Arustamyan
Fourth Official: Benjamin Meyer
VAR: Patricia McCracken
Attendance: 8,467
Weather: 42 degrees and heavy rain

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