OL Reign’s Tournament Opener Marked by Debuts and Returns

OL Reign’s 0-0 draw against Sky Blue FC may not have provided the three points the club hoped to take from its first match at the NWSL Challenge Cup. It did, however, represent an important moment for many of the club’s newest players and those returning from long-term injuries.

One notable debut was centerback Alana Cook’s first start for the club, paired with captain Lauren Barnes on the back line. The 23-year-old centerback pulled on an OL Reign jersey for the first time, having joined the club on a short-term loan from PSG on June 16.

“I love Alana,” OL Reign midfielder Allie Long said. “She’s young, she’s good, she’s strong, she’s fast. She has so many positive qualities. She’s definitely a future U.S. Women’s National Team player. I’m proud that she’s on our team and I’m really excited to be in front of her and help lead her a little bit. She’s done great. I’m pumped for her and our relationship will continue to grow game-by-game.”

Cook fit right in to a back line of Barnes, Steph Cox, and Kristen McNabb. The defender completed 56 of her 64 passes, made six clearances, and won all three of her tackles.

Costa Rican international midfielder Shirley Cruz was the other starter to make her club debut. Cruz formed a midfield with Long and Rebecca Quinn.

“I wanted a midfield with a lot of experience,” OL Reign head coach Farid Benstiti said. “The three players are internationals. They’ve played many games at a high level. The midfield is very important because those players must take (charge of) their responsibility. For the first game, it’s very easy because the three players have the experience, but also because technically I think they are really good. Physically, too. Quinn with Allie and Shirley, it was a good combination. It was a good reaction with those players. A different style. At the end, when the game ended, I think that they can get better, but it’s good for the first game together.”

Cruz helped coordinate the midfield. The Costa Rican completed 79.3 percent of her passes and won three out of four tackles, while conceding one foul in 75 minutes on the pitch.

In the 57th minute, defender Taylor Smith got the opportunity to make her long-awaited debut, 16 months after signing with OL Reign while recovering from a torn ACL. The defender initially subbed on for Bethany Balcer and took up her role on the right wing, making several runs to harangue Houston’s Sabrina Flores.

“It felt great to get back out there,” Smith said. “I worked incredibly hard for a year and a half so that I could be ready to go. Getting those first minutes out there were great.”

The next wave of changes came in the 75th minute. Seeking to break the deadlock, Benstiti took advantage of the tournament’s five allowed substitutions, bringing on midfielder Rosie White, forward Nicole Momiki, and forward Jasmyne Spencer.

It was Momiki’s club debut after the Japanese international joined OL Reign on May 22. For Spencer, it was her official return to play after tearing her ACL 20 minutes in to the 2019 season opener.

Spencer was elated to make her return with the club.

“It was so fun to get back on the pitch,” Spencer said after the match. “My heart is still racing. I think I was so excited, anxious and nervous all in one, but I had a blast. It was kind of cool, actually, to sub on with two other players at once. I felt like it was a hockey-style line change. When we went in, we were all amped up like ‘let’s go, we’re going to go for it and try to make a difference in the game.’”

Spencer very nearly did just that. Her arrival pushed Smith back to the defensive line, while Spencer was free to try and stretch out a fatigued Sky Blue defense.

Two of the club’s new arrivals and Spencer combined for the club’s best chance of the contest. In the 85th minute, Cook cleared a ball across midfield with a towering header. Momiki settled underneath it, flicking it past Flores with a nod, with Spencer waiting to pounce.

The forward burst into action, shouldering past Flores with ease and picking up the ball at a full sprint. Spencer raced inside the penalty area and lifted a shot toward the left post, only to have it turned aside by a diving Kailen Sheridan.

The save denied Spencer what would have been a dream return to action, but the forward was far from disheartened after the match.

“I had a really good opportunity on goal in such a short shift,” Spencer said. “I’m going to take that away from it and finish next time. I’m proud of myself and the workload I did to get ready for this.”

With a short turnaround until the club’s next match against Houston on Saturday, July 4 at 7:00 p.m. PT, the players who got their first taste of action on Tuesday will draw on that experience to help propel the club forward in the Challenge Cup.

“I feel like I’m still getting some of the rust off,” Smith said. “I’m sure some of the others feel the same way. I’m positive that I’ll keep getting more comfortable and continue to grow into myself again.”

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