PORTLAND, Ore. – Seattle Reign FC will be in the National Women’s Soccer League Playoffs for the first time since 2015, and although it is always dangerous to attribute too much of a team’s success to individuals, the story of the Reign’s upturn starts with two people: Vlatko Andonovski, whose first season on the sidelines at Memorial Stadium has affirmed his reputation as one of the league’s best coaches; and Megan Rapinoe, whose domineering approach as the Reign’s attacking focus portrays her one of the most dangerous players in the NWSL.
Unfortunately for the Reign, who visit Providence Park on Friday (7pm PT, Lifetime, TICKETS) with home-field advantage for the playoff’s semifinals on the line, that element of danger may be missing from their regular season’s most-important game.