Match Forecast: OL Reign Squares Off with Portland for Pride Match
OL Reign wraps up the preliminary round of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, presented by P&G and Secret, with a match against rivals Portland Thorns FC on Monday, July 13 at 9:30 a.m. PT. Portland is in seventh place in the tournament with an 0-1-2 record in the tournament over the first three matches.
“It is great to finish the first part of this tournament against our rivals,” OL Reign head coach Farid Benstiti said. “I have been involved with some big rivalries before, I know how excited the players get for them and the motivation they can provide. I think it will be an energetic match.”
Last Match: 1-0 W vs. Utah Royals FC
OL Reign forward Bethany Balcer headed in the game-winning goal in the first minute of second half stoppage time against Utah Royals FC on Wednesday, July 8. The forward led the team with six shots—three on target—after coming on as a substitute in the 67th minute of play. With the win OL Reign improved to 1-1-1 in the tournament.
“It was a game like we wanted it to be,” Benstiti said. “The pressure was good and positive for us. We had a lot of pressure to do well. The pressure on the players must be positive. Even if you have to get a result, you have to be calm to be good and to listen to what we wanted, what we expected them to do. That’s the great thing. We expected that. The timing was good for everything. We were humble. We were passionate and we wanted our substitutes to come on the field fresh. It looks like a movie. They are happy because the result is positive.”
Pride Match– Presented by Boeing
Monday’s match against Portland will serve as OL Reign’s Pride Match in 2020, presented by Boeing. The club will don its blue secondary kits for the first time, featuring rainbow numbers on the back. Beginning at halftime of the match, each game-worn jersey will be sold on the OL Reign online shop for $249.00 each to raise money for the Rainbow Center in Tacoma, a non-profit that provides resources and support to the LGBTQA community in the south Puget Sound.
Ahead of the match, OL Reign players reflected on the importance of celebrating Pride, even away from the club’s home fans.
“I’m lucky in that I’m 33 and I’ve been openly gay for a while,” OL Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock said. “I’m comfortable. I’ve tried to use who I am as a positive role model for Pride and for the LGBTQA community. Right now, though, there are people who need this message more than ever. People who are not in a safe environment. People who are not in a safe mental space. People who have to be in isolation or quarantine and can’t be themselves, who have to live a lie or be around people who don’t support who they are. That is a very scary and lonely place and that is why still sending out these messages, sending out the right kind of videos and support for the LGBTQA community and youth is so vitally important. They still need that message and need to know that it’s okay. That’s why this is probably more important than ever. If we were living in a normal society right now, they could probably get away from it for Pride, but they can’t. Hopefully they can see it and feel it. That’s the purpose of all this.”
Pride Collection Now in Stock
In addition to the game-worn jerseys that will be available for sale following the Pride Match, OL Reign’s 2020 Pride Collection is available now at the OL Reign online shop. The collection includes tees, hats, stickers, and OL Reign’s 2020 pride scarf.
Betos is Back
OL Reign’s win over Utah was more than just three points in the NWSL Challenge Cup standings. It was also the return to competitive play for goalkeeper Michelle Betos after suffering a season-ending injury last May.
The keeper made five saves en route to keeping the club’s second clean sheet of the tournament, making her return a special moment that won’t soon fade from her memory.
“It’s my first time returning from injury, so I’d say it’s my best one yet,” Betos said, laughing. “It’s incredible. It was so fun. When you get hurt, you’re just working for this day and it finally came. It’s been a tough offseason, between personal things and the pandemic. Today was really special. It was Raki’s birthday (goalkeeper coach Lljupco “Raki” Kmetovski). We got a win. We got a shutout. There’s so much that makes this meaningful. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.”
Scouting Portland
Portland is still seeking its first win at the NWSL Challenge Cup. The club opened its tournament run with a 2-1 loss to defending league champions North Carolina, before settling for draws with the Chicago Red Stars and Washington Spirit.
While U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Tobin Heath has elected not to participate in the tournament, Mark Parsons’ side still bolsters the dangerous talents of Canadian international Christine Sinclair, who has started all three matches for the club.
Portland also moved to improve its back line in the offseason, acquiring seven-time NWSL Best XI and U.S. Women’s National Team centerback Becky Sauerbrunn from the Utah Royals in exchange for Elizabeth Ball and $100,000 in allocation money.
“It will feel strange to have my first match of this rivalry be without fans,” Benstiti said. “But even without the energy of the fans, I think the players will be prepared for a rivalry-style game. We must be composed and stay focused on our goals.”
Injury Report – Presented by MultiCare
Midfielder Morgan Andrews will be unavailable for the game after suffering an injury to her left ankle in training earlier in the week. In addition, midfielder Kelcie Hedge will be unavailable for the match after suffering an ACL tear in her right knee during training on July 1. Midfielder Jess Fishlock and Forward Sofia Huerta are both listed as questionable; neither has made an appearance for the club in the Challenge Cup.
Fans in the U.S. and Canada can watch every match of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup on CBS All Access. International fans can watch the match live on the league’s official Twitch channel.