Fishlock Likely to Return After Negative X-Rays, Reign Look to Bounce Back
It was a moment no Seattle Reign fan wanted to see.
Mere days after the announcement of her retirement at the end of the 2026 season, star midfielder Jess Fishlock came down badly on her left ankle in Sunday's 3-0 loss to the Utah Royals to drop Seattle to 3-2-1 (10 points, fourth in NWSL).
Fishlock immediately signaled to the sideline for help and shouted in pain, only for the medical staff to place an aircast on her ankle. As she left the pitch on a stretcher with her face buried in her hands, fans and coaches alike couldn't help but think they had just watched the final minutes of the 39-year-old Welsh legend's career.
Fishlock was taken to a nearby hospital for an X-ray, with her football future hanging in the balance.
It came back negative, and that was enough for head coach Laura Harvey to start planning for Seattle's most consistent offensive force to return.
Reign Lose Jess Fishlock, Get Pounded 3-0 By Utah in Lumen Field Opener
The Seattle Reign endured their toughest loss of the season on Sunday night, dropping their first game of 2026 at Lumen Field in a 3-0 drubbing to the Utah Royals to drop Seattle to 3-2-1 (fourth in NWSL)
The Reign conceded just 50 seconds in before giving up another goal in the seventh. The game slipped out of control in first-half stoppage time, as the Royals put away their third to pull away. Though Seattle put together some solid looks and hit the woodwork twice, its positive momentum came to a screeching halt when captain Jess Fishlock landed awkwardly on her left ankle midway through the second half.
The injury, which head coach Laura Harvey didn't have updates on postgame, was bad enough to warrant an aircast and a stretcher — a sign of a possible bone break for the 39-year Welsh star. Fishlock announced earlier this week that she would retire from football at the end of the 2026 season.
Reign’s Jess Fishlock to Retire After 2026 Season
Jess Fishlock announced her retirement from professional soccer at the end of the 2026 season on Tuesday morning. The 39-year-old Seattle Reign legend has been with the team since the NWSL’s start in 2013, making her the last remaining Reign original after Lauren “Lu” Barnes retired at the end of the 2025 season.
Reign Fall in Cascadia Rivalry Despite Two Thorns Ejections
PORTLAND, Ore. — It was about as eventful of a Cascadia Clash as you can have.
Friday night saw the Seattle Reign head down I-5 to take on their fierce NWSL rival in the Portland Thorns for their home opener — which pulled in over 21,000 fans in a record-setting and raucous atmosphere at Providence Park.
After two red cards and the return of one of the biggest stars in the sport to her home pitch in Sophia Wilson, Portland came out on top 2-0 by dropping their entire squad into the box and making Seattle beat them without transition chances.
Evidently, the Reign’s service wasn’t up to par as Seattle’s offense stalled without any chance to attack against a defense that wasn't set.
Reign Overcome Travel Mishap, Weather Delay in Opening Day Win
The Seattle Reign waited on the tarmac in SeaTac for a chance to fly to Orlando on Friday morning.
And they waited.
And they waited.
They waited for around six hours before taking off, as weather and other circumstances caused delays. The team, frustrated from a full day of travel, had to wait again in the recesses of Inter&Co Stadium at halftime of their Sunday season-opening game against the Pride as nearly three hours of lightning delays added a new fold to the cross-country trip.
After all that, the Reign played to a 2-1 win in their season-opener against a team they had played and lost to twice in a row to close last season.
Maddie Mercado Among Young Reign Players Looking to Reignite Offense in 2026
The Seattle Reign returned to practice on Thursday with 22 players rostered from the 2025 campaign, looking to build on a strong season with several young players aiming to take a big step forward.
Young Reign Roster 24 Players After Personnel Decision Announcement
The Seattle Reign announced their post-2025 roster decisions on Tuesday morning as the franchise values youth moving forward.
Reign Extend Jess Fishlock For 2026; Could It Be Her Last Season?
The Seattle Reign announced on Monday that they had extended 38-year-old legendary Welsh midfielder Jess Fishlock for one more season. What does that mean for her future?
Final Chance Woes Down Reign in First Round, 2025 Campaign Ends in Orlando
The No. 5 Seattle Reign generated plenty of chances but failed to get on the board in a 2-0 NWSL Quarterfinals loss to the No. 4 Orlando Pride on Friday night.
Reign Draw with Pride in Decision Day Thriller, Set Up First Round Rematch
The No. 5 Seattle Reign rode a late Jordyn Bugg equalizer to a 1-1 Decision Day draw with the No. 4 Orlando Pride on Sunday, meaning the two squads will play a first-round game in Orlando in a week's time.
Reign FC Notebook: Barnes Speaks on Retirement, Seattle Receives Seven Call-Ups
It was a busy news week for the Seattle Reign, who saw seven players receive senior national team call-ups and multiple players announce career transitions, including Lauren Barnes' retirement from the NWSL at the end of the season and Jess Fishlock stepping away from international soccer.
Reign Avert Complete Disaster, Draw With Lowly Bay FC
The No. 5 Seattle Reign played to a draw with No. 13 Bay FC thanks to a late goal from Jess Fishlock on Friday night.
Reign Face Gotham with Chance to Leap into Third Place
The No. 5 Seattle Reign will head to New Jersey on Sunday to face No. 3 Gotham FC with a chance to move up in the postseason race. How do they stack up with their late-season opponent?
Reign FC Looking to Hold Off Courage in Crucial Sunday Clash
The North Carolina Courage are just two points behind the Seattle Reign in the NWSL table with five games to play as each team fights for postseason seeding, making Sunday’s matchup a critical one for both squads.
Reign Swept Away by Shield-Winning Current in Frustrating Loss
The Seattle Reign couldn't find a timely goal on Saturday night, dropping a road date with the league juggernaut Kansas City 2-0.
Reign Face Biggest Test Yet in Juggernaut KC Squad
The 16-2-2 Kansas City Current will be the 8-6-6 Seattle Reign's biggest test as Seattle fights for playoff positioning.
Trinity Rodman Re-Discovers Star Form at Reign's Expense in 2-0 Defeat to Washington
USWNT star Trinity Rodman scored both of the Washington Spirit's goals in a 2-0 win over the Seattle Reign on Sunday afternoon.
Reign Take on Fast-Paced and Trending Spirit Squad
Seattle Reign FC has drawn in three straight matches heading into a Sunday road date with the No. 2-seeded Washington Spirit.
Reign Battle to Scoreless Draw with San Diego
The Seattle Reign battled to a 0-0 result against the third-seeded San Diego Wave on Friday night, despite losing possession rather significantly. Despite the split points, it was a positive result for the young squad.
Reign Look to Get Back in Win Column Against a Tough San Diego Squad
Seattle hasn't won since August 1 heading into a home matchup with the No. 3 San Diego Wave on Friday. Can they right the ship as an underdog?
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