Season Preview: Can Seattle Reign FC Climb Back to Promised Land?
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Seattle Reign FC defender Jordyn Bugg moves the ball upfield during a scrimmage game at Lumen Field. Credit: Jordyn Bugg/Instagram [/caption]
SEATTLE, Wash. - There were a lot of ways to describe how the 2024 season went for the once dominant Seattle Reign FC.
Frustrating.
Disappointing.
Worrisome.
Catastrophic.
But the one word most fans can universally agree applies would be uncertain. With a sale of the club looming over the majority of the season, and even the slight possibility of relocation, there were few things that could be counted on both on and off the pitch. Injuries to big players in the squad throughout the entire season, as well as underperformance from key players translated to a 13th place finish in the league table a year ago, only three points above last place Houston, and nine points below a playoff spot.
After this disaster of a season, Seattle needed to gain more “certainty” in many facets of the club over the past several months.
Step one was most definitely getting the club sale sorted out to both ensure fans that the club would be in Seattle for the foreseeable future, as well as getting a clearer financial picture. This would be officially announced in June 2024 as the ownership group of Seattle Sounders FC would be partnering with Seattle Reign FC and firmly keeping the club in the Pacific Northwest. While this did happen midway through the 2024 season, the fruits of this partnership would not be realized until the offseason, with the ability to invest in the squad and bring the storied club back to the upper echelon of NWSL.
With the new ownership and seemingly more financial power than in recent years, general manager Leslie Gallimore got to work and looked to shore up the roster, which exited the 2024 season with massive questions after a disappointing campaign.
Gallimore’s first acquisition would be 2024 51st overall pick Madison Curry, acquired on December 4. Surprising the NWSL world, a shrewd move to acquire Curry, who enjoyed an impressive rookie campaign with Angel City FC that included her being one of only 5 Angel City players to make 20 or more appearances last season, stood as a means to improve an aging Reign defense.
The next move for Gallimore would be the blockbuster that would signal a commitment to revamping this squad for 2025: the acquisition of Lynn Biyendolo (formerly Williams) and goalkeeper Cassie Williams in a trade with Gotham FC. Biyendolo is a proven winner at all levels, winning 4 NWSL championships, 3 league shields, as well as an Olympic gold medal in 2024 and bronze in 2020 with the National Team. Perhaps most impressively, she is the all-time leading goal scorer in NWSL history with 80 goals, and still at the age of 31, she has a chance to build on that legacy now with Seattle.
This was a massive signing for the club that needed more offensive firepower and perhaps more importantly, more speed and transition game in a league that is constantly getting faster and younger each year. In a club searching for more “sure-thing" attacking options, this is about as “certain” as it gets.
Biyendolo will join an attacking core of herself, Jess Fishlock, and Jordyn Huitema. This group brings an excellent balance of experience, pace, and quality that Seattle has been searching for since the retirement of club legend Megan Rapinoe.
Williams will also provide much needed goalkeeper depth as Seattle looks to compete for a championship in the NWSL Challenge cup, as well as in NWSL league play, with some thinking she may even challenge for a starting job with Claudia Dickey.
The biggest questions that still linger for Reign FC are in midfield, where veterans like So-Yun Ji and Angharad James are expected to play key parts in locking down the middle of the park for Seattle this season. In a league that is rapidly getting younger and more athletic, the midfield battle is possibly the most important part of any given match, and while Ji and James are solid players who bring quality and experience which is a necessity to any locker room, athleticism and speed are not the first traits that jump off the page for either of them at this point in their career.
With a rejuvenated attack hoping for massive goal returns, a revamped, youthful defense, and an experienced midfield, with their opener coming up on Saturday night against Gotham FC at Lumen Field, Seattle Reign FC are looking to stake their claim once again amongst NWSL elite. And now with a new ownership putting the vibes of last season in the rearview mirror for players, coaches, and fans, it should be expected that there can be a whole lot more “certainty” going in to 2025.
