Tacoma, WA - The second place OL Reign took on the fourth place Washington Spirit in the last home match of the regular season. This match had massive playoff implications for both squads, as Washington could jump to third place in the table with a win, and the Reign would be able to leapfrog Portland for first place if they were able to secure a win at home. Big playoff implications on the line, as these two squads battled for the third time this year, with both teams having a win against each other under their belt already this season. This one under the Tacoma night would be critical for both clubs, not only for the result of the match itself, but also due to Washington's involvement in the scandals around the league. It was announced in the days leading up to this match that Washington Spirit owner Steve Baldwin had informed the other investors of the club that he intended to sell his stake. While nothing has been finalized, this is still big news not only for the people in the organization, but also the players and women of this league.
Pre-match
Last match recap: In the last match the Reign played, a Megan Rapinoe converted penalty kick in the 86th minute was the equalizer as the Reign split points with Portland down in Providence park. The Reign were fortunate to even equalize, as the Thorns beat them in shots, crosses, pass accuracy, and duels + tackles won. Portland began this match hot, thanks to a Morgan Weaver goal in the third minute, and from there the Reign played catch-up. Rapinoe came on in the 62nd minute, putting up the most shots in the game for the Reign with 4. Her penalty would equalize the game, leaving both teams to take home one point. This meant that the Reign were only behind the Thorns by one point, making October 16th's match vs the Spirit even more important.
Injury report:
OUT:
Rosie White, excused absence
Questionable:
None
It is good to see the injury report this way, almost empty. It will be key that the Reign are able to manage the health of their many stars with playoffs looming.
Key points to the game:
Get out front early and control the pace of this match: As has been seen for the entirety of this 2021 NWSL season for the OL Reign, they more than likely win games when they score goals early, as well as in the first half as a whole. There have been some exceptions to this, but getting ahead early and being able to dictate the style of play against a Washington team that has leaped into playoff contention and still has meaningful games ahead, means that there will be no resting or ability to play anything halfway. Get ahead early in this match behind your star attacking group and midfield, and let Washington play from behind.
Control what you can to get an NWSL shield: In order to lock up another NWSL shield, the Reign would need to take care of their own business and win their last two matches, against Washington and then against Kansas City. This would push them to 45 points to end the regular season. If Portland were to win out, then they would have 46, taking home that shield. A draw or loss in either of their final two matches (Against Houston, who has only lost one of their last five, and North Carolina, who are fighting for their playoff lives) for the Thorns would open the door for the Reign. None of that matters, though, if the Reign don't take care of business and lose either of those two matches.
Do not look ahead: This was something that looked like it would be a problem in the Reign's match vs Chicago on the 10th of October, as the Reign got down early and overall played a sloppy match. Jess Fishlock's brace and Rose Lavelle's go ahead goal were able to save the Reign, but in their past two matches they have looked sloppy. It would be crucial for the home side here at Cheney stadium to take care of business and win the games that they are actually playing in. Trinity Rodman, a 19-year-old, is the only player in the NWSL with five goals and five assists, and she will be the engine that makes this Spirit team go. Do not get caught with your eyes down the road.
Starting lineup:
Goalkeeper: Sarah Bouhaddi starts in goal, a place that she has held down for the majority of the season, hoping to get a clean sheet in the final home match of the regular season.
Backline: The backline that stands in front of Bouhaddi was made up of Kristen McNabb, Lauren Barnes, Alana Cook, and Sofia Huerta
Alana Cook has been a stud on the backline since she rejoined the Reign this season, and the rest of this backline has formed to create a group that plays well defensively with the addition of helping the offensive attack thanks to McNabb and Huerta.
Midfield: The midfield unit would see some change from weeks past, as Jess Fishlock would be joined by Angelina and Dani Weatherholt.
Angelina has loads of talent, it just seems to be a chemistry issue that is responsible for some communication mishaps throughout the games that she has appeared in. With Jess Fishlock alongside her, expect to see Angelina make an important impact in this match. I have full confidence in this, as my press box partner Javier has pointed out the ability for weeks, it just all needs to click.
Attacking front: The attacking front would be composed of Megan Rapinoe, Rose Lavelle, and Eugenie Le Sommer
This is an interesting group. Having Lavelle up front in a sort of center forward role, unless she is playing as a false 9, and not having Balcer starting is an eyebrow raiser. But, with playoffs right around the corner, it is not that odd considering that you would want to keep a player that is tied for the league lead in goals rested.
Bench unit: The bench unit sees Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Amber Brooks, Dzsenifer Marozsan, Celia, Steph Cox, Bethany Balcer, Quinn, Shirley Cruz, Ally Watt.
This week, it is Bethany Balcer that acts as the super sub. Megan Rapinoe took this role last week, and was able to put away the equalizer after being subbed on in the 62nd minute. Don't be surprised to see Balcer and Marozsan join the team later in the second half to potentially help the team out.
Both teams join at midfield prior to kickoff in a show of solidarity
First half action: OL Reign came into this match with the advantage in their offensive attack, getting some pressure on Spirit keeper and team captain Aubrey Bledsoe. The only real opportunities that the Reign got on Bledsoe would be a cross that would just miss a streaking Rose Lavelle in the third minute, and a Eugenie Le Sommer shot around the top of the Spirit box in the 14th. The Spirit were hanging around in this match due to this lack of offensive aggression, taking advantage in the 21st minute when Taylor Aylmer (Who started the season with Gotham) would volley in a cross to give Washington a 1-0 lead. From there, the Reign would again take the attacking advantage again in terms of attacking opportunities, but still not being able to convert. There were more close shots again, including a 38th minute shot by Jess Fishlock that was clipped by a defender and a 40th minute long shot by Rose Lavelle that clipped the cross bar, but still not enough to get a ball in the net.
Halftime adjustments and notes: The Reign came out a with some life, but overall have not really looked like the high powered attack that we saw prior to the match against Portland. Even in the match at home against Chicago, this team started out slow. It seems that a jolt is needed to get the squad firing on all cylinders again. Perhaps for this game, inserting Bethany Balcer and or Ally Watt as a substitution early into the half or midway through could help and bring the Reign level. Losing this match would almost certainly mean that the team that calls Tacoma home would not finish with a NWSL shield.
Second half action: The second half would see Marozsan and Quinn substitute on for Angelina and Dani Weatherholt. The Reign would get a few shots off on goal early into half, as Kristen McNabb would have her shot deflect off of a Spirit player, and Jess Fishlocks shot would curl just away from goal. The Spirit again would be extremely efficient with their chances when Ashley Hatch would fire a missile past Bouhaddi, putting Washington up 2-0 and pushing her into sole possession of first place in goals scored in the league. Would the team bring on now Bethany Balcer, who is second on that list? The answer to that question would be yes, in the 69th minute Balcer would come on to relieve Megan Rapinoe. With 4,009 in attendance
Reign substitutions in this match:
Halftime: Dzsenifer Marozsan, Quinn come on for Dani Weatherholt and Angelina
69th minute: Bethany Balcer comes on for Megan Rapinoe
84th minute: Ally Watt comes on for Jess Fishlock
Post-match thoughts: Plain and simple, in my eyes, this team has looked flat in terms of their offensive attack in their last three matches. Sure, in the win over Chicago you score 3 goals with Jess Fishlock recording a brace. When I say flat, I more so mean the energy in this team. They have come out in their first halves looking sloppy and unorganized, different than the time that we saw beating Portland in the PNW doubleheader, putting up five goals against Houston, etc. The Reign did get shots off this game, do not get that mistaken, but it was the Spirit's efficiency that won them this game. Washington only had 3 more total shots, but they had four more on target. They had less crosses, corners, pass accuracy, possession, duels won, and tackles won than the home team. But, they played good defense (31 clearances to the Reign's 19) and converted their opportunities. Coming out flat against these teams (Portland, Chicago, Washington) especially in this stretch of the season, is disappointing and a tad concerning. This looks like the team in the early part of the season that dropped games to Washington, Gotham, and North Carolina. Low energy, and sloppy play from a team that certainly has the talent, but the chemistry and energy is not there. It is crucial that this team is able to clean things up against Kansas City, because they're seeding in this years NWSL playoffs is still not set in stone. You always want home field advantage come playoff time, and even more so when it means you get another week of rest and preparation for a playoff opponent. Cheney stadium has seen the Reign win eight of their twelve total victories, so you could say that they are better and perhaps more comfortable at home.
Player of the game:
OL Reign official player of the game: Kristen McNabb
Stat line: 1 shot, 1 foul suffered
Charles' player of the game: Eugenie Le Sommer
Stat line: 4 shots, 1 on goal
Comments