Match Forecast: OL Reign Hosts Portland Thorns FC
OL Reign will face rivals Portland Thorns FC at Cheney Stadium on Saturday, October 10 at 5:00 p.m. PT. The match will be OL Reign’s first home match of the NWSL Fall Series (and the first in 2020) and the second against Portland in the last 10 days.
“It will be nice to finally have a match at home this year,” OL Reign head coach Farid Benstiti said. “I wish we would be able to have the fans join us, as I know the players and I are thankful for their support. Even though we can’t play in front of them, we want to go out there and have a successful match and play our style.”
Michelle Betos Placed on Season-Ending Injury List
Michelle Betos was placed on the season-ending Injury list ahead of this weekend’s match, following a meniscectomy. The keeper kept two clean sheets in three starts for OL Reign in 2020.
“Although I’m disappointed to not be finishing up the Fall Series with the group, I know getting this procedure done was the right thing for me in this moment,” Betos said. “I pushed through the pain for a while and would have continued to, if that was in the best interest of the club and my teammates. However, after speaking with the technical and medical staff, we decided to have all eyes set on the 2021 season. I’m excited to cheer on the girls the next couple of weeks as I focus on returning to the pitch at 100 percent.”
OL Reign Partners with the Black Future Co-op Fund
Ahead of its September 30 match against Portland, OL Reign announced that it had 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.
Scouting Portland
Portland sits at the top of the Fall Series standings with a 2-0-1 record in the Fall Series. Canadian international Christine Sinclair leads the NWSL with four goals in three appearances during that span, while four other players – Lindsey Horan, Simone Charley, Rocky Rodriguez and Sophia Smith – have scored one goal each.
“Our last match against Portland, we lost focus for a moment before halftime and the match changed a great deal for us,” Benstiti said. “I thought we had a very good start to the game. This time, I want us to keep that energy and momentum through the whole match.”
Injury Report – Presented by MultiCare
Three players will be unavailable for selection due to injury in Saturday’s contest. Midfielder Kelcie Hedge remains on the season-ending injury list while she recovers from a torn ACL, while Betos has joined her following her meniscectomy. Additionally, defender Julia Ashley is unavailable due to a back injury. All other players are available for selection.
How to Watch
The match will be streamed live for both U.S. and international fans on Twitch.