Three points are critical if Reign FC wants to hold onto second.

After what felt like an eternity, Seattle Reign FC returns to Memorial Stadium on Sunday for a home match against the eighth-place Washington Spirit. The game kicks off at 6 PM PT and will stream on the NWSL website (goodbye, go90).

The Washington Spirit have struggled to score goals this season — they haven’t found the back of the net in 244 minutes — but some of their creative attackers are starting to get healthy. Rose Lavelle and Mallory Pugh are no longer on the Injury Report. Neither are ready to play 90 minutes, but they could have a big impact in any limited time they get on the field.

Seattle, meanwhile, is struggling with a number of injuries and absences. Most notably, the team has lacked a little bit of organization in the midfield without Rumi Utsugi, who has struggled to come back from a calf strain. Hopefully, the time off during the Tournament of Nations was all she needed.

In the home opener against Washington, Seattle had a lot of success moving the ball through the wings. Look for Megan Rapinoe, who is expected to start despite playing in all three Tournament of Nations matches last week, to get plenty of time on the ball. Right back Theresa Nielsen will also be important on the right side of the field — making runs up the flank to whip balls into the box for Jodie Taylor.

Three points are crucial tonight for Reign FC. Just two points separate second and fifth place on the NWSL table, with Seattle currently occupying that second place spot.

Injury Report

Washington

Out: Cheyna Matthews (pregnancy), Tiffany Weimer (left knee Baker’s cyst – D45), Kelsey Wys (right knee meniscus scope); Estefania Banini (right MCL sprain) | Questionable: Arielle Ship (right knee ACL recovery)

Seattle

Out: Elizabeth Addo (right knee strain), Yael Averbuch (illness), Kiersten Dallstream (right knee sprain), Stephanie Catley (excused absence), Beverly Yanez (right foot fracture) | Questionable: Rumi Utsugi (left calf strain)

Keys to the Match

• Create and use the space behind Washington’s centerbacks
• Win the battles in the midfield
• Use the width

Lineups

First Half Highlights

45’ - Gooooooal, Jasmyne Spencer. Her first for Reign FC, and right before half.

Second Half Highlights

71’ - Goal, Jodie Taylor! Off a quick Megan Rapinoe throw-in.

How to Watch

Date/Time: Sunday, August 5, 6 PM PT

Location: Memorial Stadium, Seattle, WA

Streaming: NWSLSoccer.com, NWSL app (iOS/Android)

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