Houston Dash grab three points at Reign FC

Seattle Reign FC 0
Houston Dash 1
May 11, 2025
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Seattle Reign FC hosted Houston Dash on Mother’s Day at Lumen Field.

Houston is near the bottom of the table in the early going. A road win or point would be a big result.

Reign FC look to continue their resurgence in 2025. Positive results and clean sheets have put Seattle in a position to jump up in to the top tier of the table with three points.

Paul Kahl Photos

The first half was a spirited, but ultimately goalless affair.

Much of the half was spent with both sides moving the ball about quickly, looking for openings, but not breaking through. The pressing and pressure did not lead to many chances until well into the half.

It was in the 33rd minute that the first real dangerous chance on goal would come for either side. Reign rookie Maddie Dahlien would manage a quick cut in and near post blast that would just go wide.

From there, the pace would pick up even more, and chances started to happen. Dash pressure on the counter was getting them into the Seattle third, but only to be dealt with by the Reign defenders.

There were a few more dangerous chances for Seattle on the counter and through a few corner kicks. The field turf and Houston team defenses would be enough.

With the match still level and goalless, the second half would also start off briskly.

The Dash continued to bend, but not break. Houston defenders were steadily able to deflect, intercept, and disrupt passing lanes. The Reign offense continued to press, attacking from either flank, unable to get clean looks.

Houston’s patience would be rewarded and Seattle’s inability to break through would be punished in the 57th minute. Maggie Graham would get on the end of a low cross from Ryan Gareis, finishing the chance with a low drive from close range. With that, the Dash were suddenly up a goal.

In a presser on Saturday, Reign coach Laura Harvey had remarked that the success of recent matches against the top of the table teams was great, but they needed to do better against the teams below them.

The Reign would throw fresh legs and numbers forward. The crossbar, some good team defense, and solid goalkeeping from Houston’s Abby Smith continued to stifle each wave of the Seattle attack.

The three points for Houston was a reward for smart play and collective defense. They took their chance and held on against a number of chances.

The missed opportunity for the Reign was a call back to the 2024 campaign. It was a good performance with some chances, but they didn’t finish and paid for it.

BOX

SCORING SUMMARY
HOU – Maggie Graham (Ryan Gareis) 57’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA – Maddie Dahlien (caution) 16’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Lauren Barnes ©, Phoebe McClernon, Jordyn Bugg (Maddie Mercado 86’); Angharad James-Turner (Ainsley McCammon 71’), Sam Meza, Ji So-Yun (Madison Curry 57’); Lynn Biyendolo, Ana-Maria Crnogorčević (Shae Holmes 71’), Maddie Dahlien (Emeri Adames 71’), Jordyn Huitema
Substitutes not used: Maddie Prohaska, Emily Mason, Hanna Glas, Olivia Van der Jagt

Total shots: 6
Shots on goal: 1
Fouls: 5
Offside: 5
Corner-Kicks: 5
Saves: 1

Houston Dash – Abby Smith; Natalie Jacobs, Avery Patterson, Christen Westphal (Paige Nielsen 64’), Katie Lind; Delanie Sheehan (Sarah Puntigam 83’), Ryan Gareis (Michelle Alozie 78’), Maggie Graham, Danielle Colaprico; Messiah Bright (Barbara Olivieri 46’), Yazmeen Ryan
Substitutes not used: Jane Campbell, Evelina Duljan, Kiki Van Zanten, Sophie Schmidt, Rebeca

Total shots: 3
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 12
Offside: 3
Corner-kicks: 2
Saves: 1

Referees: Alyssa Nichols
Assistants: Tiffini Turpin, Melissa Gonzalez
Fourth Official: Yannick Rothfuss
VAR: Mark Verso
Attendance: 6,841
Weather: 58 degrees and rainy