Seattle Reign Face Off Against Orlando Pride in NWSL Finale
The Seattle Reign will conclude their regular season on Sunday with a critical match against the Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Both teams enter this matchup with impressive unbeaten streaks, as the Reign boast a four-game stretch of their own, achieving two wins and two draws. The Pride, the defending National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) champions, are also in good form, recording three wins and one draw over their last four matches.
As the Reign prepare to face the Pride, they hold a record of 10 wins, 7 losses, and 8 draws, while Orlando stands at 11 wins, 8 losses, and 6 draws. The match is set to kick off at 14:00 local time, and fans can watch it live on NWSL+.
Playoff Implications Heighten Stakes
Sunday’s match holds significant playoff implications, as it is “Decision Day” for the NWSL. Six matches will be played simultaneously, creating a dramatic atmosphere where seven teams vie for playoff spots and better seeding. Currently, only one postseason slot remains available, with Racing Louisville aiming for their first playoff appearance since joining the league in 2021.
Seattle is positioned fourth in the standings, which guarantees them home-field advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. With a victory against Orlando, the Reign could potentially take over the Pride’s third seed. However, a loss could see them drop to seventh place, depending on the outcomes of other matches. A draw would keep Seattle in the fourth seed if certain conditions involving other teams are met.
Previous Encounter and Key Players
The Reign and Pride previously faced each other in April, where Orlando triumphed with a 1-0 victory at Lumen Field. The match was tightly contested, with striker Barbra Banda scoring the decisive goal in the 41st minute. Unfortunately, Banda suffered a season-ending thigh injury in August, prompting Orlando to adjust their strategy.
Despite Banda’s absence, Reign midfielder Maddie Mercado acknowledges that Orlando possesses multiple dynamic players, including the renowned Brazilian star Marta. Mercado stated, “Orlando has a lot of dynamic pieces to their team, not just Banda. Losing her is something they had to adjust to, but they have other dangerous players — Marta being one of those. Everybody in this league knows how good she is, so that’s a key piece we need to make sure to solve. We have a game plan and sticking to that game plan, if we can execute that, we’ll be just fine.”
With playoff positions on the line and the intensity of a season finale, the match between the Seattle Reign and Orlando Pride promises to be a thrilling encounter, showcasing the talent and determination of both teams.
