The 2018 NWSL regular season is coming to a close and Seattle Reign FC is close to clinching a spot in the playoffs, ending a two-year absence from postseason play. After Wednesday’s draw against the Chicago Red Stars, Seattle has just two more regular-season home matches.
Even before a kick-off happened this season, we knew the team was on borrowed time with Memorial Stadium, their home since 2014. Their lease was expiring at the end of this season, and Seattle Public Schools — owner and operator of the stadium — announced last year a collaboration with the city of Seattle to renovate Memorial Stadium as part of a bigger revitalization of Seattle Center, which will center around the renovation of Key Arena to attract the NHL and hopefully a return of the NBA.