By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – For the first time since their historic comeback against Angel City on the road, the OL Reign secured three points. The Reign sent four balls into the back of the net to defeat the crumbling NY/NJ Gotham FC, 4-1. In technicality, two Reign players led the scoring as the fourth goal was ruled an own goal. Megan Rapinoe secured a brace, while Rose Lavelle scored the opening goal. The win is the first at Lumen Field since July 17th, and puts the Reign into fifth place in the NWSL table. The win also marks Laura Harvey's 82nd in the NWSL regular season, which makes her the winningest regular season coach in league history.
The Reign's sister club, Olympique Lyonnais, was present pregame and were honored at halftime (Photo by Melissa Levin)
Megan magic
Forward Megan Rapinoe has been great for the Reign since her consistent return to the starting eleven. This includes being the player of the match twice (including today), while totaling three goals and two assists in her last three matches. Rapinoe has brought her on ball skill and excellent futbol IQ to an attack that has struggled mightily in actually converting the several chances they put on net.
While I have mentioned before the Rapinoe has not always been the most consistent performer on the club side (obviously many people know her for her time with the national team and her activism), she has been very effective for the Reign recently. Providing that leadership and knowledge up front in an attack that features Jordyn Huitema and Bethany Balcer is big. Guiding Huitema into her own role and being able to play off each other has been big, and expect to see Huitema score sooner rather than later. Rapinoe will continue to contribute in different ways as long as she is under contract with the Reign.
Megan Rapinoe puts away her first goal of the day, a penalty kick (Photo by Melissa Levin)
Runnin’ Rose
The return of midfielder Rose Lavelle after a game hiatus was a welcome one, as Lavelle scored the opening goal in the 15th minute. Off of a through ball throw in by Megan Rapinoe, Lavelle was able to get past the defense as a Gotham defender misjudged the ball, allowing a breakaway. Lavelle would only take one touch, pounding the ball past former Reign keeper Michelle Betos.
In the last match for the Reign (the 1-2 loss to the Houston Dash on August 7th), Lavelle was out with a leg injury. Considering the history that she has with injuries to her lower body, keeping her out as a precautionary measure was smart, and seems to have paid off. The success of this midfield (paired alongside Jess Fishlock) can help propel this team forward, and the Reign win today began with the midfield.
Rose Lavelle and Jordyn Huitema embrace following Lavelle's goal (Photo by Melissa Levin)
Finally finding a way to break through
A major issue for the Reign has been the inability to find that final ball and be more efficient with their chances. That very issue has played a large factor in the reason that the club has stacked up so many draws (six draws, the second most amongst teams in playoff contention). Those draws knock you down a table obviously compared to as if you had won them, and if you even change the result of one of those draws, the club would be in second in the league. Change two or more? The club sits atop the table.
Being able to convert the bombardment of shots that you have been launching towards goal is critical, as in several games you have been frustrated because you drop or split points in matches where you should have collected three points. A win like this could be huge going forward to maintain a form like this and make sure to keep this offense humming.
Todays win was the 82nd of Laura Harvey's coaching career, the most in NWSL regular season history (Photo by Melissa Levin)
Where they stand
With the win, the Reign move into fifth in the NWSL table standings. Their 24 points puts them just one point behind a potential move up to second place in the NWSL table, and four points below the highest spot currently occupied by Portland. Depending on the result of Chicago Red Stars vs Angel City FC, the Reign will remain in fifth or drop to sixth with either a Chicago draw or win. Regardless, the Reign are five points ahead of the nearest team to a playoff spot, Angel City FC.
What’s next?
The Reign’s next NWSL regular season game takes place on the road against the Orlando Pride on August 26th, with a 4PM PST kickoff. Orlando sits a bit outside of the playoff race, five points out of the last spot. The next matchup for the club overall will be competing in the 2022 Women’s Cup in Louisville, Kentucky in August. The tournament will debut an expanded format featuring six world-class teams playing seven games across a week. An unannounced team will face off against the Reign on February 17th, in Louisville. If the Reign advance, they will play on the 20th of the month in the finals.
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