In a rematch of a match from the 2021 challenge cup, the Reign were looking to see a repeat of their offensive performance against the Chicago Red Stars, a game on April 27th where they scored 3 goals. They did not want to repeat their defensive performance of giving up the two goals, but that should be obvious. The Reign came into this match having lost their last three games, and were looking to convert some of their frustrations into goals here after only mustering 1 goal in those last three losses.
Injury report: Ally Watt (Knee injury), Kelcie Hedge (Right foot injury), Rose Lavelle (Left ankle injury), Karen Bardsley (Left thigh injury, season ending), and Rosie White (illness) would all be out of this game. Rose Lavelle suffered her injury in the USWNT match against Jamaica and took herself out of that match as a precaution, but it has kept her out of the last two Reign matches. Karen Bardsley's injury has ended her season, but ultimately that should not be the biggest loss at the goalkeeper position considering that the goalkeeper room features Sarah Bouhaddi (who has effectively stepped into the starting role), Ella Dederick, Cosette Morche, and Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Starting lineup: In goal, Sarah Bouhaddi would get the start. The backline would feature some young faces, with Madison Hammond, Sam Hiatt, Alana Cook, and Celia. The midfield would see Quinn and Shirley Cruz joining Jess Fishlock. And lastly, in the attacking third, we would see Sofia Huerta and Bethany Balcer joined once again by Dzsenifer Marozsan. The bench would see some familiar faces, with Ella Dederick, Amber Brooks, Lauren Barnes, Kristen McNabb, Angelina, Dani Weatherholt, Leah Pruitt, Megan Rapinoe, and Eugenie Le Sommer all coming off of the bench.
First half: Right at the 54th second mark, Shirly Cruz would whip in a volley off of a deflected cross to score the first goal of the match! The Reign score within the first minute, getting out some of their frustrations and turning them into offense. Shortly after that, the Red Stars would try to come back with a counter attack of their own, but the backline would deny them. Sarah Bouhaddi would get some work, but not too much that would pressure her too much. Quinn went down with what looked like a scary injury at the 15:47 mark, but they would be able to walk it off. Shortly after that, Shirley Cruz, on a cross from Marozsan, shot a rocket that was blocked by Chicago keeper Alyssa Naeher. That block would fall at the feet of Bethany Balcer, who had her shot hit the post. Her efforts would not go to waste though, as at the 17:16 mark of the game, Bethany Balcer would smash in a header off of a cross from Sofia Huerta for the second Reign goal of the game, doubling their goal total over the last three games. The Reign would keep up their intensity, which would also lead to a yellow card being given to Bethany Balcer in the 25th minute. The game took a stagnant turn till the 34th minute where a Chicago Red Stars shot off of captain Vanessa DiBernardo's pass sailed high. In the 39th minute, Sarah Gorden for Chicago is issued a yellow card. The Reign would get three more chances after that and before the half for a goal, but the last attempt at the 44:25 mark would go high on a Celia volley.
Halftime: The Reign had great intensity and assertiveness in the first half, getting in front early within the first twenty minutes and making sure that they had an offensive presence that they didn't in their last few matches. Chicago had some chances, but the young Reign backline had really held up and was doing a good job of making sure Bouhaddi did not have to deal with any wild shots. As we shift to the second half, it should be key for the Reign to keep the pressure on and continue to push a Chicago defense that will seemingly just get more fatigued as the home attack puts more pressure on them. This helps the defense as well, giving them a break of sorts after last weeks game in North Carolina.
Second half: In this half, the Red Stars easily had the attacking advantage, but it would not turn into any goals for the Chicago side. Marozsan and Huerta would continue the offensive attack up top, getting several crosses and corners in but not being able to convert them. Bethany Balcer had arguably her best match of the season, flying all over the field, getting her head on the ball multiple times, one of them for that goal at the 17th minute. Her presence had been felt on the Chicago half several times. At the 59:55 mark, Megan Rapinoe brings the ball up, crosses into Sofia Huerta who’s shot is blocked by a closing Naeher. Big chance there that is snuffed out. Le Sommer would come on for Bethany Balcer at the 64th minute mark, and she would contribute several attacking chances for the Reign. From the 75th minute up, Bouhaddi had a lot more action in comparison to what she had throughout the time of the game before that point. The Reign would hold on to their lead and win, 2-0!
Post games thoughts: The Reign came out early and were able to dominate in the first half, and that is all that they would really need. They did a great job of holding the ball and dictating where it really went. If they are able to replicate this sort of attacking performance and mix their talented roster into the different lineups, then this team will see many wins throughout this season. It was great to see the backline hold up like it did, especially with the mostly young makeup that it had. The team will look to replicate that offensive intensity and defensive strength in their June 26th match against Gotham FC at home, their pride match.
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