Match Forecast: OL Reign Travel to Face Chicago Red Stars on Sunday
OL Reign hit the road to take on the Chicago Red Stars this weekend in the Windy City. Both teams are energized coming off of wins last weekend. OL Reign has beat Chicago twice in 2021, once during the Challenge Cup and once during regular season play. OL Reign will be looking to bring home another three points to move up in the standing after two weeks in ninth place.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 3:00 p.m. PT on Sunday, July 18 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available to watch on Paramount+
RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-D-L): OL Reign: 3-5-1 (10 points, ninth place), Chicago Red Stars: 4-2-4 (14 points, fifth place)
Key Points Ahead of the Match:
1. LAST MEETING – OL Reign and the Chicago Red Stars last met on June 22 at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Washington, where OL Reign came away with a 2-0 win. Shirley Cruz scored the opening goal less than a minute into the match, giving the Reign an early advantage over Chicago. Bethany Balcer doubled the lead for OL Reign in the 18th minute, heading home a cross from Sofia Huerta. The two first half goals decided the match, though notably, Chicago Red Stars defender Bianca St. Georges was issued a second yellow card for a challenge on Sofia Huerta just outside the box and was sent off in the final minutes of the match.
2. SCOUTING CHICAGO – The Chicago Red Stars are currently in fifth place in the NWSL standings with 14 points and a 4-2-4 record. Most recently, Chicago faced off against the Houston Dash at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. Chicago earned a 2-1 victory to pick up a crucial three points. The Dash scored first in the 62nd minute, when Jasmyne Spencer played Veronica Latsko, who nailed a far post shot. Things took a turn for Houston when they conceded two own goals in the span of three minutes beginning in the 73rd minute with an own goal from Shea Groom, followed by a 76th minute own goal from Katie Naughton. Both players were attempting to clear the ball inside the box, but the two own goals allowed Chicago to come away with a 2-1 win without earning a single shot on target.
3. OL REIGN NEED TO BE RUTHLESS – Though OL Reign found a win against Kansas City, the team must look to finish games as strong as they start and put up a bold second half performance. In their last two victories, both 2-0 wins, the first against Chicago on June 22 and most recently against Kansas City, all four goals came in the first half hour of the game. The Reign must continue to look for those early opportunities, but also capitalize on opportunities more often throughout the match.
“I think we got into some very good attacking areas that we identified as areas of strength for us. We allow [Kansas City] to stay in the game. I think the game could have been more comfortable for us if we had been a little more ruthless,” said interim head coach Sam Laity.
4. SAM LAITY AND LAURA HARVEY WORK TOGETHER – OL Reign announced on Thursday, July 15, that it has hired Laura Harvey as the team’s head coach. With this announcement, Harvey made it clear that she would be working closely with Laity in the near future to direct the team. Laity will be coaching the team for the next four games while Harvey is in Japan serving as assistant coach with the USWNT, but the two will be in constant communication to consult one another, as well as catch Harvey up to speed so she is able to hit the ground running when she joins the team in August. Harvey noted that her coaching style is very similar to Laity’s, calling it a “match made in heaven.” That, combined with the fact that the two previously coached together for five seasons, should allow for a smooth transition.
MultiCare Injury Report:
OUT
Ally Watt – Right Knee
Rosie White -Illness
QUESTIONABLE
None