03/15/26 09:20:00
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03/15 21:18 CDT Reign open the season with weather-delayed 2-1 road win over
the Orlando Pride
Reign open the season with weather-delayed 2-1 road win over the Orlando Pride
By PHUOC NGUYEN
Associated Press
Brittany Ratcliffe's scored a late goal to give the Seattle Reign a 2-1,
rain-delayed victory on the road against the Orlando Pride on Sunday.
Angel City also opened the National Women's Soccer League season with a 4-0
victory over the Chicago Stars in Los Angeles.
The Reign opened the scoring in the 24th minute. Nrilia Mondsir slipped in a
pass to Jess Fishlock who put on a few nifty moves to put the visitors ahead
1-0.
In the 42nd minute, off a corner kick delivery from Jacquie Ovalle, defender
Rafaelle appeared to have tied it up, but it was called back due to a foul.
After a lengthy weather delay of some three hours, Haley McCutcheon would find
Barbra Banda in the 51st minute for the equalizer. Orlando received a major
boost when Banda was removed from the season-ending injury list early this week.
Five minutes after subbing on, Ratcliffe headed home the winner in the 83rd
minute, with Mondsir providing her second assist of the game.
Fuller and Borges lead Angel City in season-opening rout
Midfielders Kennedy Fuller and Ary Borges had a goal and assist apiece in Angel
City's dominant win over the Stars.
Angel City FC found a breakthrough goal in the 33rd minute from Fuller. Chicago
goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher went to make the save, but the ball slipped through
her outstretched arms.
After four successive corners, Evelyn Shores doubled the lead on an open header
because of a defensive breakdown by Chicago.
In the 66th minute, the Stars tried to play out of the back and paid the price.
Ary Borges intercepted the pass and slot it home to make it 3-0.
Sveinds Jnsdttir found an open Maiara Niehues for the final tally.
The four goals were the most ACFC has scored since a 4-3 thriller over
Washington Spirit on May 2, 2025.
Angel City defender Savy King returned to play for the first time since
suffering a cardiac event during a game on May 9th, 2025 that led to open heart
surgery. She subbed into the match in the 63rd minute.
Forward Jordyn Huitema started for Chicago after being acquired in a trade this
week from Seattle.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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