While the NWSL regular season pauses for the Olympics, the Reign will play three games through the end of July as part of the inaugural NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. Reign head coach Laura Harvey has promised some lineup rotation to give regular starters additional rest and to reward depth players with additional minutes to aid in their development, but there is still a trophy on the line should the team perform well.
How the tournament works
The tournament is comprised of 20 teams: all 14 NWSL clubs plus the six top-ranking Liga MX Feminil teams from 2023 (Pachuca, Tigres UANL, Club América, Tijuana, Chivas, and Monterrey). Each Liga MX season begins in the fall with the Apertura (opening) tournament and ends in the spring with the Clausura (closing); the top six Liga MX clubs were chosen based on the cumulative point values for the Clausura and Apertura of the 2023 calendar year.
The group stage of the Summer Cup will be played in round robin format, with teams divided geographically into five groups of four. The four group winners with the most points will move on to the semifinals, to be played August 6th in Kansas City. The victors of those two matches will meet for the championship nearly three months later on October 25th in San Antonio. With one group winner not advancing to the knockout round, goal differential and total goals scored will be important as the primary tiebreakers.
Seattle Reign are in Group A, along with the Portland Thorns, Utah Royals, and Club Tijuana.
Getting to know Group A
Utah Royals FC: the opportunist
If you didn't get enough of the Utah Royals last week, you’ll be thrilled to know that our neighbors at the bottom of the table will be back in town Friday, July 19th to kick off the Summer Cup. The expansion side sits in last place with 9 points, but that doesn’t make them easy to beat. Utah’s transition offense, led by 2024 #1 pick Ally Sentnor, can rack up dangerous chances with the potential to change games. The Reign experienced this firsthand in last weekend’s 1-1 draw, setting the stage for an interesting rematch.
Club Tijuana: the underdog
Los Xolos de Tijuana enter the Summer Cup as the lowest ranked of the six Liga MX teams after finishing 8th in Clausura and 5th in Apertura in 2023. Seattle will face a Tijuana club in early-season form, as the 2024 Apertura only kicked off on July 4th. Though they have struggled to find their groove in 2024, they have a talented squad and a history of stepping up in big moments. Mexico national team forward Daniela Espinoza was a bright spot throughout a rough Clausura earlier this year, leading the team with 7 goals. This team loves a good challenge and has risen to the occasion against the best of Liga MX multiple times. If they bring their A-game and signature mental toughness, they could shock the NWSL. They visit Seattle on Sunday, July 28.
Portland Thorns FC: the test
The Reign will wrap up group play with a trip to Providence Park to take on their rival on Wednesday, July 31. The Reign are 0-1-1 against Portland in 2024 and have struggled offensively against them even prior to this season’s challenges. The Reign haven’t scored against Portland since a 1-0 Challenge Cup victory on June 28, 2023. Fortunately for Seattle, the Thorns have also found themselves in a scoring slump, with just 4 goals in their last six matches. Another advantage for Seattle will be the absence of Sophia Smith and Sam Coffey, who will both be at the Olympics with the USWNT. Smith in particular is vital to Portland’s goalscoring. She has 7.7 xG on the season and 10 goals converted. The Thorns have totaled 43 Goal Creating Actions in 2024 – Smith is responsible for 12. If the Reign can get organized and seize the opportunity of her absence, they could walk away with some points.
Reign Summer Cup broadcast schedule
(All times Pacific, international broadcast TBA)
Friday, July 19
6:00 p.m. – Seattle Reign FC vs. Utah Royals FC
Group Match #1
Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
Broadcast: CBS Sports Network / Paramount+ (English), NWSL+ (Spanish)
Sunday, July 28
3:00 p.m. – Seattle Reign FC vs. Tijuana
Group Match #2
Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
Broadcast: Paramount+ (English), NWSL+ (Spanish)
Wednesday, July 31
7:00 p.m. – Portland Thorns FC vs. Seattle Reign FC
Group Match #3
Providence Park, Portland, OR
Broadcast: Paramount+ / CBS Sports Golazo Network (English), NWSL+ (Spanish)
