With Courage up next, Reign face uphill battle to snap losing streak

The Reign will face one of their biggest challenges in club history Saturday.

Seattle needs to snap a four-game losing streak. They’ll have to do it on the road against the North Carolina Courage, who hold a 12-game unbeaten streak at home since 2023.

Here’s a look at Saturday’s match:

The details

Reign (1-4-0) at North Carolina (3-2-0)

Time/place: 4 p.m. Saturday at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.

TV: NWSL+ and KONG/KING 5+ (local)

Radio: N/A

Series history: North Carolina leads the all-time series at 10-3-3 since 2017.

Here are the storylines:

Embracing change

Reign coach Laura Harvey isn’t afraid of change, which is one of her best qualities as a leader. Whether due to injuries or matchups, she hasn’t repeated a starting lineup this season and has utilized 18 of her 22 players overall, including making needed substitutions during halftime.

But the technical staff probably would like some consistency and demand to be on the field to help the team win. NWSL rookie forward Emeri Adames showed that and received her first start last week. Was it enough to remain while Jordyn Huitema rehabs a back injury?

Not here

A road win against the Courage would jump-start the Reign’s season because North Carolina hasn’t been kind to them no matter the year. Seattle is 1-8-0 on the road against the Courage.

The matchup is balanced this go-round. Both traveled from the West Coast after a loss. North Carolina lost 2-1 at Angel City FC while the Reign lost 2-1 to the Chicago Red Stars at Lumen Field.

Keep the ball

The Reign likely could guard against losing if they could manage to keep possession of the ball. Their 53.4% accumulated possession to open the season is an illusion. Seattle has been dispossessed 829 times, which is worst in the 14-team league.