Seattle Reign FC to close out season against Orlando with playoff berth on the line

Rain FC closing out their regular season with Orlando Pride in town Sunday. Seattle looking to clinch the final postseason spot in the NWSL. A win will secure a playoff berth and the team's ninth postseason appearance. And it all happens on Decision Day. Plus, a huge day for veteran player Jess Fishlock. The match marks the midfielder's last regular season home game, ending her historic 14-year career right here in Seattle. And joining us this morning is former U.S. Women's National Team player and broadcaster Lori Lindsey. Lori, thanks for jumping on board. Yeah, thanks for having me, appreciate it. Yeah, for sure, well, what a weekend coming up for the Reign. The team needs a W for sure to advance into the playoffs, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate star Jess Fishlock as retirement is knocking on her door. Yeah, I was just talking with head coach Laura Harvey for the Seattle Reign, and we were speaking about Jess Fishlock and just what she's meant not only to the Reign organization, but the NWSL as a whole, 14 years with the Reign, which is just unprecedented, and you don't see that very often, but yeah, all to play for on Sunday, decision day, all the games are kicking off at the same time, and as you mentioned, if Seattle win, then they lock up that final spot, and then all to play for because at that point in time, single elimination, but But, yeah, going to be a huge game on Sunday for Jess Fishlock. They've got to get this done. They're coming off that 0-0 draw against Utah. What does the club need to do to finish strong to really wrap that up? Really, it's going to start about just using the energy for Jess Fishlock's final home game to their advantage in front of the home fans at Lumen Field and be aggressive, put Orlando under a lot of pressure early on, and then, most importantly, hunt for that first goal Because the interesting aspect is Neither Orlando or the Reign have won this season when they conceded first. So that first goal is going to be hugely important for the Reign on Sunday evening. Yeah, and Orlando kind of in that situation, it's a do or die or go home. Who do we need to watch there though, Barbra Banda or, she leads with 17 goals and 23 appearances. I mean, she's someone to keep an eye on. Banda, but also the goat of all goats is Marta. So yeah, and her unpredictableness is. So it makes it difficult to prepare for, I feel like, for the opposition. So it's something that Seattle will certainly be mindful of is Marta's movement, whether she starts as the attacking midfielder or more of that center forward position. Regardless, she'll float around, and she has such quality that she can change a game. In a split second, so two players, Banda, Marta, for sure that the Reign are going to have to keep an eye on. Yeah, and as we close this out, just Fischlach, I mean, she's an original in the NWSL with Laura Harvey. She stuck with the same team, the only one left doing that. Okay, well, NWSL broadcaster Lori Lindsey, thank you so much for talking soccer with us today. And don't forget, Reign and Pride kick off at 2 p.m. Sunday from Lumen Field.