Wales legend Jess Fishlock aiming to keep career alive in NWSL play-offs

On Sunday, 1 November, Wales legend Jess Fishlock will take to the pitch for Seattle Reign against Orlando Pride in what could be the final match of her storied career. The 39-year-old is aiming to secure a victory that would guarantee the Reign an eighth play-off berth in her 14-season stint with the club.

Seattle Reign is currently competing with NC Courage and Denver Summit for the final National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) play-off spot. With the competition standings tight, the pressure is on for Fishlock and her teammates to deliver a win at Lumen Field to keep their season—and her playing days—alive.

I've been in this league long enough to understand how this works. I think we've had a couple of situations like this before. The beauty of it is you just get to focus on football, which is ultimately all we want to do as players. Jess Fishlock

Fishlock, who confirmed in April that she would retire at the conclusion of the 2026 campaign, has never won the NWSL play-offs, having finished as a runner-up three times. The club has planned a series of commemorative activities for the veteran midfielder, with an expected crowd of 16,000 including several of her family members flying in for the occasion.

Following her retirement, Fishlock will transition into coaching, joining Rhian Wilkinson’s staff for the Wales national team's World Cup play-off final against Norway. As the last of Seattle Reign’s original trio to retire, her departure marks the end of an era for both the club and the league she has helped define for over a decade.