Match Forecast: OL Reign Hosts Utah to End Fall Series
OL Reign will host Utah Royals FC on Saturday, October 17 at 5:00 p.m. PT in the club’s final match of the NWSL Fall Series. OL Reign opened the Fall Series with a 2-2 draw on the road against Utah.
“Even though the results have not been what we have wanted, I think we have looked stronger every game this fall,” OL Reign head coach Farid Benstiti said. “Now we have a simple goal: to end our season with three points at home. We must be prepared to battle for the whole match, but I know we can achieve this goal.”
OL Reign Partners with the Black Future Co-op Fund
Ahead of its September 30 match against Portland, OL Reign announced that it selected the Black Future Co-op Fund to be its partner for the Verizon Community Shield. The Fund, which was launched in June 2020 to address the systemic racism and wealth inequality that disproportionately affects Black communities, works to combat poverty and empower Black businesses and organizations in Washington state.
“Ever since the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, we as a team have been working feverishly to educate each other and come together as a united front so we can create meaningful change for our local Black and Brown communities that we represent as an organization,” said OL Reign forward Jasmyne Spencer. “Playing for the Black Future Co-op Fund gives us the chance to partner with four incredible Black women who share our desire to provide resources that will enable these communities to prosper for decades to come.”
Regardless of OL Reign’s final position in the Fall Series standings, the club has committed to a minimum donation of $15,000 for the Fund.
Boeing Scholarship Program Set to Announce Winners
OL Reign Academy’s Boeing Scholarship Program, which was first unveiled on September 25, was developed as an effort to begin addressing the underrepresentation of girls of color in youth soccer.
“Both of these young women poetically portrayed themselves through their written essays in such moving ways that it easy for the committee to select them for the Boeing scholarships,” said OL Reign Academy technical director Amy Griffin. “In their own words, they each showed their own pride and knowledge of their cultures, their belief in participating in their communities, and their passion to learn and grow through sport, specifically their love for the beautiful game of soccer. These words match the people we see on the soccer field on a regular basis and we are thrilled about the award and that they are members of OL Reign Academy.”
The two scholarship recipients will be recognized on the broadcast of OL Reign’s match against Utah Royals FC on CBS All Access.
Scouting Utah
Utah is 0-1-2 during the Fall Series, most recently playing Portland to a 1-1 draw at home on Saturday, October 3. Three players have scored for the Royals during the Fall Series: Aminata Diallo, Tziarra King and Amy Rodriguez.
“Last time against Utah, we took a little bit of time to find our rhythm at the start of the game and they scored two goals in that time,” Benstiti said. “We fought our way back in that match, but this time I think we can have even more success as long as we are mentally focused and ready to go from the first whistle.”
Injury Report- Presented by MultiCare
Three players will be unavailable for selection due to injury in Saturday’s contest. Goalkeeper Michelle Betos and midfielder Kelcie Hedge remain on the season-ending injury list, while defender Julia Ashley is out with a back injury. Additionally, defenders Taylor Smith and Madison Hammond are questionable with an ankle and hip injury, respectively.
How to Watch
Fans in the United States can view the match live on CBS All Access. International fans, including Canada, can stream the match for free on Twitch.