Facing the North Carolina Courage just two days after the final Tournament of Nations match, Seattle Reign FC head coach Laura Harvey opted to rest U.S. international Megan Rapinoe and Japan’s Rumi Utsugi. That resulted in an adjusted lineup that did a decent job absorbing North Carolina’s pressure, but couldn’t manage to create many opportunities in their offensive third.
As a result, Seattle ended up falling 1-0 on the road.
Kiersten Dallstream got her first start of the year at left wing, replacing Rapinoe, while Lauren Barnes slotted in as left back in place of Carson Pickett, Rachel Corsie and Rebekah Stott filled in as centerback, and Merritt Mathias returned as right back.