There are good games, bad games, dropped points, disappointments, unexpected victories, and missed opportunities in this beautiful game. For the Reign, however, playing up two and losing by two is a new one.
The Reign opened the 2026 season with a full three points against a side that was just above Seattle in last year's table. In the end, it was both luck and skill that made the third time the charm in Orlando.
A strong improvement of a season as 2025 was, it ended with a first round exit for the Seattle Reign. For Lu Barnes, it was the end of the journey, but for the rest of the team, there is a sense of a new beginning.
It was a massive three points for the Seattle Reign on Sunday evening, but it surely didn't come easy for a team battling with almost half the league for third place.
Jess Fishlock is the beating heart of this Seattle Reign team. Many around her have energy, many around her have skill. Few in this league have the degree of energy and the degree
