Jess Fishlock blasted home the winning goal in the 84th minute against Bay FC, bringing the Seattle Reign back from the brink and snatching a wholly deserved victory that had looked agonizingly close to slipping away. It was just the third second-half goal for the Reign all season, making it almost definitely the most important one. This wasn’t just the Jess Fishlock show, though. The Reign got off to another lightning-fast start, scoring two first-half goals for the fourth time in four games.
First Half Fury and Bay FC’s Jaw-Dropping Comeback
Mia Fishel got her moment early, meeting Maddie Dahlien’s cutback service with a darting diagonal run to soft-touch the ball home. Then, just four minutes later, Dahlien got one for herself, slicing into the heart of the Bay penalty area and cracking a shot to Jordan Silkowitz’s far post. All that in the first 10 minutes! But Bay FC wasn’t done. They fought back, finding their first goal in the 13th minute. The apparent equalizer in the 23rd minute was correctly called back due to Dorian Bailey’s fairly obvious interference from an offside position. Bay FC settled into a long fight of attrition, trading chances and challenges until midway through the second half when Keira Barry got free on a cleverly executed set piece and made no mistake. The score was 2-2, a big lead blown, and an exhausted side on the road. But then, in the 84th minute, came the ageless, irreplaceable Jess Fishlock, charging through Bay FC’s line and striking home the winner.
Dickey’s Masterclass and Meza’s Dominance: The San Diego Story
Before the Bay FC drama, there was the San Diego match, which almost didn’t get a full column because the match ratings columnist got COVID. Despite that, the numbers are in, and wow. Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey earned a perfect 10, declared the Player of the Match and the “real 2025 GKOTY.” Defenders Ryanne Brown, Phoebe McClernon, and Sofia Huerta each rated a 6, while Jordyn Bugg got a 7. In the midfield, Ainsley McCammon earned an 8, Sally Menti a 6, and Sam Meza a 7 for winning a ludicrous number of duels. Forwards Maddie Mercado, Mia Fishel, and Maddie Dahlien all received 6s. Substitutes Madison Curry and Emeri Adames each got a 5. The San Diego game was described as a masterclass in playing against the ball, a clinic in finishing chances, and a “hang-it-in-the-Louvre performance” by Dickey.
This thrilling win against Bay FC marked Seattle Reign FC’s second consecutive game discussed in these match ratings. With Claudia Dickey playing like the real 2025 GKOTY and Jess Fishlock delivering in the clutch, this team’s got something special brewing in the Emerald City.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Sounder at Heart.
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