by Jeff Lageson, Photos by Vanya Tucherov
Coach’s Corner
Seattle Reign FC coach Laura Harvey commented that the first half on Friday May 22 versus China PR was the best the Reign have played so far this season. After drawing a young China PR 1-1 at home as the only match action for three weeks, Seattle faces a significantly depleted Chicago Red Stars Saturday at 7PM on The Moda Pitch.
Seattle is without three starters due to national team duty and red card suspension. Chicago is without eight players due to national teams from Australia, Canada, and the USA prepping for the World Cup. A 3-2 Chicago victory in Chicago does not seem like a useful barometer given all the absences, so this could be an interesting one at home.
During the three week schedule quirk the Reign were able to give players a week off and they came back looking sharp against China. A good crowd of over four thousand and the send off of the two Seattle USWNT players created a festive atmosphere and Seattle responded with a spirited performance.
China was a young team playing its first match on field turf against live opposition in preparation for Canadian artificial surfaces. The Chinese came out cautiously, but defended and attacked with numbers and pace, making the friendly more than a mere exercise. Seattle players faced a home deficit after a cross became a shot and worked hard to secure the 1-1 draw with a deserved goal in the 2nd half. Bev Yanez continued her strong finishing from a Kim Little cross in the 2nd half.
Middle of the season friendlies are often a weird distraction, but for the Reign FC the China match brought them back to training with a match to work towards.
During the China match Amber Brooks got a start in the middle for Jessica Fishlock, making the China match also a good tactical prep for the Chicago game given the Fishlock suspension. Also, it was an opportunity to see Rachel Corsie in the D and extended minutes for Dani Foxhoven up front.
Seattle will bring a strong line up Saturday. It will be interesting to see how the limited roster losses for the world cup pays off for Seattle in the next few weeks.
