Laura Harvey isn't just talking about commitment to the Seattle Reign anymore. She's literally bought into it. The longtime Reign coach just closed on her first home in Seattle this week, right after signing a contract extension that keeps her with the club through 2028.
Talk about making it official. Harvey has considered Seattle home for over a decade, but she's actually been splitting time between the Pacific Northwest and Southern California during NWSL offseasons with her partner. Now at 45, she's planting roots in the Emerald City.
Here's a fun backstory: Harvey's own father told her she'd never make a career out of women's football. Growing up in England, she figured she'd become a PE teacher and coach soccer on the side, just like her dad did. "It doesn't exist, so prepare yourself to be something else," he used to say.
"Good job, you didn't listen to me!" is what he tells her now. They had that exact conversation Thursday as Harvey drove to the Reign's headquarters in Renton to announce her new deal.
Why Harvey Left and Came Back
Harvey is entering her 11th season coaching the Reign, though it hasn't been continuous. She led the team from day one in their inaugural season through 2017, winning three NWSL Coach of the Year awards. Then she left for Utah Royals FC for reasons she's never fully disclosed.
That turned out to be a mistake. "I woke up for three years regretting that decision," Harvey admitted. When the Reign coaching job opened again in July 2021, she didn't hesitate despite friends warning her things had changed.
And they had changed. New ownership group, different roster with only three returning players. But Harvey felt the club's essence remained the same. She's been back since August 2021, leading the Reign to their third NWSL Shield in 2022 and a championship appearance in 2023.
Building for the Future
Here's the thing though: Harvey is the NWSL's all-time winningest coach, but she's never won a championship. That made her extension negotiations last summer more complicated than a simple handshake deal.
The Reign finished 13th in the league in 2024 and went through major transitions. Club legends Megan Rapinoe retired in 2023, and defender Lu Barnes hung up her boots last fall after setting multiple NWSL records, including most games played all-time at 252.
Welsh midfielder Jess Fishlock is now the last remaining original Reign player. She signed a one-year deal after retiring from international duty. But here's the exciting part: the Reign are getting younger and better.
Last season, the team finished fifth with a 10-7-9 record and often started six players under 23 years old. Five current Reign players just got called up to the USWNT this month: defender Jordyn Bugg, keeper Claudia Dickey, forward Maddie Dahlien, and midfielders Sam Meza and Sally Menti.
For bettors watching the NWSL, this youth movement could make the Reign an interesting value play heading into 2025. Young rosters can be inconsistent, but they're also hungry and improving fast. General manager Lesle Gallimore made it clear they want "to win now," not just develop for the future.
The regular season kicks off March 15 when Seattle travels to face the Orlando Pride in Florida. With Harvey locked in long-term and a young core gaining international experience, the Reign could be a sleeper pick to outperform expectations. Training camp starts next week, so we'll get our first real look at what this new era brings.
