Your OL Reign returned home to Cheney stadium in Tacoma, WA with 5th place Orlando in front of them. The Reign were looking to continue their momentum and winning ways, having not lost since their shocking 1-0 loss to Kansas City, with came on the heels of their big 5-1 win over the Houston Dash. The last time that this club saw Orlando, the Reign would take home a 2-0 win on the road, with Jess Fishlock and Tziarra King putting in goals. With the loss from the Thorns the night before this match, as well as the way that the NWSL table has been playing out already, it is important that the Reign continue to stay the course and finish this season strong.
Pre-match
Last match recap: Since the last match that the Reign were "supposed" to play was a forfeit by the Spirit thanks to "health related protocols," the last match we can really look at was the 1-1 draw with Louisville. This match was all Reign, with the exception of the Nadia Nadim goal in the 23rd minute. The Reign dominated shots, with 27 to Louisville's 11. Bethany Balcer's goal in the 74th off of the assist from Sofia Huerta would give the Reign the draw and be the last match we saw our women in red and blue play.
Injury report:
OUT:
Rosie White: Illness
Megan Rapinoe: Right thigh
Rapinoe remains out, having not played since the doubleheader on August 29th. She was at the Storm game watching her partner, Sue Bird, prior to this match
Kelcie Hedge: Excused absence
Amber Brooks: COVID Protocol
Machaela George: COVID protocol
QUESTIONABLE:
None
Key points to the game:
As usual, come out with energy and intensity: The Reign have not played a real match that counted towards the NWSL table since the 4th of September, thanks to a combination of the Spirit forfeiting the match that was meant to be played on the 12th of September and the international break. It is important for the Reign to do what they have done all season, come out with energy and intensity early and put shots on goal. Bethany Balcer is arguably the best player on this roster this season, being tied for the lead in goals scored in the league and leading the NWSL in goals per 90 minutes with 0.79. She comes into the September 26th contest having scored in back to back matches. Feed Boats the ball.
Hold the fort: The Reign are not only undefeated in their last five matches, they are also looking to extend their winning streak at home to six games. Their attack out of the gate this year at home as resulted in them jumping from 8th in the league early in the year to 2nd now. The Reign have not lost to Orlando in their last 10 matches against the Pride (3 wins, 7 draws) and Orlando has scored more than one goal only once in their last five matches. It will the Reign's job to hold the fort and come out with 3 points as we approach the home stretch and playoffs.
Keep Sydney Leroux contained: If this is a feat that is possible, it is important that the Reign do their best to attempt it. Leroux is tied with the Reign's own Bethany Balcer for the league lead in goals, both with 8. Leroux has 24 shots on target to this point this season, and will seemingly always be a threat, so the backline will be tasked with keeping her in front and contained.
Starting lineup:
Goalkeeper: Sarah Bouhaddi continues to be the steady presence in goal for the Reign.
Backline: The backline would consist of Kristen McNabb, Lauren Barnes, Alana Cook, and Sofia Huerta.
The backline sees McNabb and Huerta on the outside, a strategy that first originated in the doubleheader match against Portland. It has seen success for the Reign in assisting their counterattacks.
Midfield: The midfield is made up of Quinn, Rose Lavelle, and Jess Fishlock.
Seeing Rose Lavelle and Jess Fishlock in the midfield next to each other is something that I have been waiting for all year. To see those two incredibly talented players conducting the midfield is something we are all lucky to witness. Quinn is in front of the backline in a defensive mid role, something they have been doing in the last few matches for the Reign
Attacking front: The attacking front is composed of Eugenie Le Sommer, Bethany Balcer, and Dzsenfier Marozsan.
Having Maro in the middle of this attack is an interesting strategy, but with Le Sommer and Balcer on the outside, this is a dangerous attacking group.
Bench unit: The bench unit is made up of Angelina, Celia, Steph Cox, Shirley Cruz, Sam Hiatt, Tziarra King, Leah Pruitt, Phallon Tullis-Joyce, and Dani Weatherholt.
Having Sam Hiatt on the bench is something that intrigues me, but considering the new style of backline that we have, it makes sense with how McNabb and Huerta have been playing on the outside.
First half: Just as mentioned in the keys to this game, the Reign would start out aggressively, when a free kick from Marozsan would turn into a cross into the box from Sofia Huerta, who would find Bethany Balcer for the goal! The Huerta-Balcer connection continues, and it puts the Reign up 1-0 in the 2nd minute! After that goal, the Reign would get an opportunity in the 6th minute, where Balcer would just miss Le Sommer and Fishlock. The Reign would win the attacking battle from in the time period of the 7th minute to the 27th, where the Reign would get 6 chances, compared to the Prides 2. In the 27th minute, Eugenie Le Sommer would have the ball in space and catch Orlando keeper and NWSL all-time saves leader Ashlyn Harris just a bit off of her line, firing a rocket from around 30 yards out and putting the Reign up 2-0! Le Sommer would then take a pass from Marozsan in the 32nd minute and fire away from within the box, scoring her second goal on the day within 5 minutes! With that goal, she ties Megan Rapinoe for 2nd most goals scored for the Reign with 5!
The celebration after one of Le Sommer's goals!
Halftime adjustments and notes: The Reign came out in the first half and did what I mentioned in my first key to the match: kept the energy and intensity up. This would lead to a Bethany Balcer goal in the 2nd minute. After that goal, that Reign would continue to put shots on here and there, with a sort of lull in energy until the 27th minute. At that time, Le Sommer would score back to back goals within 5 minutes and extend the Reign lead. Starting off hot in the first half has been a big reason that the Reign have jumped from 8th in the league to second since the first half of the season. The Pride offensive attack was effectively rendered null, as they only put up 4 shots in the first half, none on target. The Reign need to keep the pressure on in the second half, as anything can happen (especially in the NWSL), but also play disciplined and keep that clean sheet.
Second half: The Pride would come out of the second half and immediately get a shot off, but Bouhaddi would come up with the save. The second half seemingly was the Reign playing good defense, while Orlando did their best to try and create offensive opportunities. The first 15 minutes of action featured two shots by Orlando and Jess Fishlock having to a little bit of the game off due to injury. Sydney Leroux would finally get a shot off on goal in the 69th minute, but Bouhaddi would be there to make sure that she did not tie Bethany Balcer for the league lead in goals scored. In the 82nd and 83rd minutes, the Reign would see a flurry of shots on target by Tziarra King and Angelina, but Ashlyn Harris would save them all. She is the NWSL all-time saves leader for a reason, and that was evident in those few minutes. The Reign took care of business in the first half, so that they could play strong defense in the second and secure 3 points at home.
The final whistle blows and your Reign secure 3-0
Reign substitutions in this match:
70th minute: Marozsan goes off, and Angelina comes into the game
75th minute: Le Sommer comes off for Tziarra King
86th minute: Bethany Balcer, Jess Fishlock, and Rose Lavelle come off for Leah Pruitt, Shirley Cruz, and Dani Weatherholt
Post-match thoughts: The Reign did everything that was outlined as keys to the game; came out with energy and intensity, held down the fort, and contained Sydney Leroux. The home side started off hot almost perfectly, with Balcer scoring in the second minute of the match, followed by Le Sommers brace coming thanks to goals in the 27th and 32nd minutes. Sydney Leroux was held to just 2 shots, none listed on target. Orlando as a team was outshot by 10 in terms of general shots, and the Reign had 5 more shots on goal, with Orlando putting up only 3. The Reign were also able to stay disciplined, drawing no yellow cards, compared to Orlando with 3. The Reign continue to roll and will look to take this undefeated streak into next week when they travel to Portland to take on the 1st place Thorns.
Player of the game:
OL Reign player of the game: Eugenie Le Sommer
Charles' player of the game: Eugenie Le Sommer
Stat line: 2 goals on 6 shots, two on target.
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