Photo Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images
Seattle Reign will be without starting goalkeeper Claudia Dickey as she did not travel to North Carolina for their upcoming match against the Courage. The availability report has yet to be released; however, head coach Laura Harvey confirmed in her pre-match press conference that Dickey sustained an injury while playing for the U.S. Women’s National Team in Brazil and has not recovered in time.
On a more positive note, midfielder Jess Fishlock has made the trip with the team and could be set for her first match since being injured on April 26. Fishlock recently announced she plans to retire at the end of this season, adding a layer of significance to her potential return.
Harvey suggested that although Saturday might be a bit early for Fishlock to make her comeback, her inclusion in the squad highlights her nearing full fitness. “It demonstrates how close she is to returning,” Harvey remarked while explaining the decision to have Fishlock accompany the team.
In Dickey’s absence, the Reign face a significant challenge. As a candidate for the 2025 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year, Dickey has played an instrumental role in the team’s performances this season with her shot-stopping abilities and her contributions to building play from the back.
The Reign’s most experienced backup, Cassie Miller, is expected to step in. Although she hasn’t played for Seattle since her acquisition ahead of the 2025 season, Miller brings six seasons of NWSL experience with 31 league appearances to the squad. Additionally, they have promising young goalkeepers in Neeku Purcell and Evan O’Steen, both of whom are yet to make their NWSL debuts. O’Steen, an 18-year-old with previous experience in the U.S. youth national team setup, has signed a contract through 2030, while Purcell, a Seattle native, signed an extension through 2028 after initially joining as an injury replacement for Miller.
The Reign are set to face the North Carolina Courage on Saturday, July 4, at 7:30 PM ET. The match time has been adjusted in line with the NWSL’s heat-safety policy due to anticipated high temperatures. Fans should note that instead of being streamed on ION, the game will now be available on NWSL+.
