Tacoma, WA - Your OL Reign returned to Cheney stadium after nearly a month, welcoming the Washington Spirit to town for an NWSL playoffs semifinal game. The winner would advance to the NWSL championship game that takes place in Louisville, on November 20th. Just to take a step back and think about where this team has come since early in the season to where they are at now, the journey for the 2021 OL Reign team has been remarkable. The same could be said of the journey for the Spirit, who have maneuvered horrible front office management and scandals. The teams have met three times this season heading into Sunday, with Washington taking the season series. The first match was saw Rose Lavelle make her Reign debut in a loss, the second a successful three to zero win on the road for the Reign, and the last a late season shocker as Washington would prove victorious, helping launch themselves into third place in the NWSL table. Their fourth and final matchup of the season would be the biggest one yet.
Pre-game before the semifinal
Last match recap: In the regular season finale, the Reign traveled to Kansas City to take on a team that had been stunning clubs at the top of the table. Now known as the Current (as announced at halftime of this match), KC had a draw with Portland, a big win over Houston, and a win over the Reign over the course of the second half of the season. That being said + given the way that the Reign had been playing as of late, it was not a foregone conclusion that the Reign were going to dominate. They would do just that behind a Eugenie Le Sommer brace, and the match would end with a score of 3-0. The Reign would charge into the playoffs with the second seed in the NWSL table, a bye week, and knowing that they would host a semifinal match at home.
Injury report:
OUT:
Sam Hiatt: COVID-19 Protocols
QUESTIONABLE:
None
Several signs visible near the supporters section
Key points to the game:
Find your mojo: In the span of games that saw the Reign blow out the Dash 5-1, they were arguably playing their best. Things were clicking, their best players were scoring and making an impact. Since that time, there have been some points that seemed like the Reign have been on autopilot. It will be crucial with the playoffs here now that the Reign are able to fire up the engine and get back into gear. With Balcer, Rapinoe, Le Sommer, Fishlock, and more (Yes, the fact that I get to say all of those names and MORE is incredible) all good to go, the Reign have the firepower. It's just about putting them in positions to succeed.
Backline communication: The backline unit consisting of McNabb, Huerta, Cook, and Barnes has been mostly lights out since that grouping was first inserted into the lineup. An exception of that would be the game that the Reign lost to Washington, 2-0. There was general miscommunication, and the Spirit took advantage. Especially considering that you are playing the golden boot winner in Ashley Hatch, it is important that the group in front of Bouhaddi is able to stay in communication and shut down the attack that features Hatch, Trinity Rodman, and Ashley Sanchez.
Midfield functionality: This is a point that if you have been following us all season, will seem familiar. The midfield for the Reign has loads of talent, from the heart of the team in Jess Fishlock, to Rose Lavelle, Angelina, Marozsan, and more. The midfield will be tasked with helping the backline, as mentioned above, as well as feeding some of the most talented players on the planet in the attacking third of this team. The midfield's success very well could decide this game.
Starting lineup:
Goalkeeper: Sarah Bouhaddi starts in goal for the semifinal
Ever since she joined the squad in the summer Bouhaddi has been somewhat of a mixed bag at times. For the most part, she has been a key piece to the Reign securing the second seed.
Backline: Kristen McNabb, Lauren Barnes, Alana Cook, and Sofia Huerta form the backline for the Reign.
Midfield: The midfield is consisted of Quinn, Rose Lavelle, and Jess Fishlock.
Attacking front: The attacking third is made up of Megan Rapinoe, Dzsenifer Marozsan, and Eugenie Le Sommer
Bench unit: The bench unit is made up of Angelina, Bethany Balcer, Amber Brooks, Celia, Steph Cox, Shirley Cruz, Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Ally Watt, and Dani Weatherholt.
Bethany Balcer could be a super sub in this game, do not be surprised to see her get at least 30 minutes in this game.
First half action: Right off the bat, the Reign were playing a little sloppy. Some missed passes were nearing dangerous territory. Shortly after that, at the 2:22 mark of the match, the Reign would get a counter attack. Megan Rapinoe would get a pass that led her to the side of the Spirit box, and she would find Eugenie Le Sommer with a cross right in front of the goal which was tucked in perfectly, to put the Reign up 1-0! The Reign had seemed to get their early early jitters out, but in the 11th minute Trinity Rodman would get a shot off on Bouhaddi, who was too far off her line, to equalize the game in the 11th minute. Back to a level playing field just 11 minutes in.
Halftime adjustments and notes: The Reign came out early and saw some bad passes almost put them in danger. The point in my notes that I made about that seemed to go away when Eugenie scored in the second minute, but came back after that as Washington was able to answer just nine minutes later. In terms of adjustments, getting settled in needs to happen. Washington has great momentum coming into this game already, with one of their late season wins coming against the Reign. There have been some good chances, but most of them have been nullified as they were offsides. Megan has been making good runs, just the timing of them have been slightly off. If we are looking at subs, I would take Lavelle out, and insert Bethany Balcer.
Second half action: The second half saw the Spirit start out as offensive aggressors. The Reign would get a few chances on set pieces and corners, but none really challenged Washington keeper Aubrey Bledsoe. In the 66th minute, the ball would be forced out by the Reign, giving a corner via Andi Sullivan. Sullivan would take the short approach, where the ball would not be effectively cleared, Ashley Sanchez would sneak the ball up and over Bouhaddi to put Washington up 2-1. In a stunning move, Jess Fishlock was subbed off in the 74th minute, which is not a move I would expect in the biggest game of the season. The Reign were able to knock on the door, with shots and corners, and even a header in the 93rd minute, but none of them got behind Bledsoe. The Spirit, inspired as ever on this incredible run that they have been on, would win 2-1 and punch their ticket to Louisville.
Reign substitutions in this match:
65:25: Bethany Balcer comes in for Quinn
74:22: Dani Weatherholt comes on for Jess Fishlock
85:03: Ally Watt comes on for Lauren Barnes (Captain)
5, 273 fans were in attendance today, but they did not get to see a win sadly.
Post match thoughts: This sort of finish of the season potentially could have been seen a few months ago. The Reign looked relatively slower and less intense for a stretch of time that now includes this loss in the semifinals. Poor passing, sloppy play, and not being able to correct mistakes dooms the Reign, and leaves us looking next to the expansion draft and next season. As Megan Rapinoe said in the post game press conference, the team came out flat. Coming out flat against a team that has been on fire and may be a team of destiny, is unacceptable and unfortunate that this game was at home.
Player of the game:
OL Reign official player of the game: Eugenie Le Sommer
Stat line: 1 goal, 7 shots, 2 on goal
Charles' player of the game: Eugenie Le Sommer
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