Seattle Reign FC Return From Break With 3-1 Road Loss to North Carolina Courage
By Becca Weinberg
CARY, N.C. – The Seattle Reign opened the second half of their 2026 NWSL campaign with a 3-1 away loss to the North Carolina Courage. In their first matchup with the Courage this season, the Reign conceded three unanswered goals after taking an early first-half lead. The defeat fresh out of the break means that the club has won just one of their last eight matches and continues their offensive struggles that have lingered over the last few years.
Images from the Seattle Reign FC loss against the Kansas City Current at First Horizon Stadium on July 4th, 2026 (Photos by Meg Lee, provided by Seattle Reign FC).
“I think we had a lot of momentum in the first half,” said midfielder Maddie Mercado post-game. “I think the goals we gave up were self-inflicted a little bit, which is very fixable, and that’s something that happens in games. And I think as a team, how we have to evolve is to learn how to switch the momentum back in our favor if something like that does happen.”
The match’s opening goal was scored in the 19th minute by midfielder Sally Menti, set up by defender Sofia Huerta’s cross into the top of the 18-yard box. Menti took a control touch and hit a rocket into the corner of the goal. The Reign took an early lead, and Huerta recorded her league-record 35th NWSL regular-season assist.
The lead didn’t last long, however, as Courage midfielder Ashley Sanchez scored the equalizer just three minutes later. North Carolina scored two more goals in the second half to send the Reign home and extend their winning streak to four matches. With the road defeat, Seattle has lost four of their last five.
While they largely controlled possession in the first half, Seattle struggled to maintain momentum late in the game and to hold their defensive shape.
“I think we have to be able to create opportunities in different ways,” said head coach Laura Harvey post-game. “I thought tonight we created enough opportunities in the first half to honestly put the game to bed. And we were disappointed on their goals, all three of them.”
Harvey described North Carolina’s attack as "ruthless and clinical,” something she found Seattle to be lacking in this game.
Match notes from Reign PR
With today’s result, Seattle holds a record of 6-12-3 against North Carolina across all competitions.
After fielding the same starting XI in consecutive matches for the first time this season, Head Coach Laura Harvey listed a new lineup tonight.
Through 12 matches, Reign FC has fielded 11 different starting XIs in 2026.
Sofia Huerta recorded her third assist of the 2026 season, setting up Sally Menti's opening goal in the 19th minute.
The assist was the 35th of her NWSL regular season career, extending her league record. Huerta's three assists this season are the most she has had since 2022.
Sally Menti scored her first goal of the season and second of her NWSL career in the 19th minute to give Reign FC the lead.
The Seattle native finished with three shots, a single-match career high.
Goalkeeper Cassie Miller made her debut for Reign FC after Claudia Dickey was unavailable due to injury.
The veteran, who was acquired from Gotham FC ahead of the 2025 season, finished with three saves.
The Reign will return home as hosts of the 45th edition of the Cascadia Rivalry against the Portland Thorns on Sunday, July 12 at 1 PM. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN for those not in attendance and will air on 950 KJR AM. The club has surpassed 12,000 tickets distributed for this match and is on pace for the fourth-highest attendance, including 1,200 who signed up through the Kids 12 & Under Free Program.
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Check out our previous Seattle Reign FC articles here.
Check out our previous articles written for CSS by Becca Weinberg here, and her work with Lookout Landing here.
Photos in this article by Meg Lee, provided by Seattle Reign FC.
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