Match Forecast: OL Reign Return to Play at North Carolina
OL Reign take on the North Carolina Courage at Sahlen’s Stadium WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina on Saturday June 19 at 1:00 p.m. PT.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. PT on Saturday, June 19 at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available to watch on CBS in the United States and Twitch internationally.
2021 RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-D-L): OL Reign: 1-2-1 (4 points, eighth place), North Carolina Courage 1-2-1 (4 points, seventh place)
Key Points Ahead of the Match
1. LAST MEETING – OL Reign and the North Carolina Courage last met on May 15, 2021, at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Washington, where the two teams battled to a 0-0 draw. Both teams had several opportunities on goal in the match, but neither was able to capitalize. The game was a back-and-forth battle, with both goalkeepers coming up big in the match, saving everything that came their way.
Prior to meeting in the season opener this year, the teams had not played since the NWSL semifinal playoff match on October 20, 2019 at Sahlen's Stadium, where North Carolina came away with the 4-1 win. North Carolina scored first, in the 88th minute of the match. The Reign equalized just five minutes later, in the 3rd minute of stoppage time to send the match into extra time. North Carolina scored three more goals in extra time, in the 99th, 106th, and 107th minutes, to come away with the win. North Carolina went on to win the 2019 NWSL Championship for the second year in a row.
2. RETURNING FROM THE FIFA INTERNATIONAL WINDOW – OL Reign and North Carolina both had several players join their national teams over the June FIFA international window. North Carolina had midfielder Denise O'Sullivan and defender Diane Caldwell called up to the Republic of Ireland team, as well as forward Lynn Williams and midfielder Sam Mewis who were called up for the United States. Midfielders Havana Solaun, Debinha, and Angharad James were also called up to Jamaica, Brazil, and Wales.
OL Reign had eight players called up to their national teams. Reign defender Alana Cook was called into the United States team, along with forward Megan Rapinoe and midfielder Rose Lavelle. Midfielders Shirley Cruz, Jess Fishlock, Quinn, and Angelina were called into Costa Rica, Wales, Canada, and Brazil respectively. Additionally, forward Nicole Momiki was called into the Japan national team.
3. SCOUTING NORTH CAROLINA– North Carolina most recently played against the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday, June 5. The game was decided by a first half goal from Chicago. In the 29th minute of the match, the Red Stars were awarded a free kick, which defender Tierna Davidson stepped up to take. She found the head of Morgan Gautrat, but Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy deflected the shot into the path of Rachel Hill, who put it in the back of the net to seal the win for Chicago.
Like OL Reign, North Carolina has started the season with one win, two losses, and one draw, earning four points in their first four games.
4. REMATCH FROM FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON – Though both teams have seen changes to their rosters since meeting in the first match of the season, including the arrival of Le Sommer, Bouhaddi, and Marozsán for OL Reign, head coach Farid Benstiti is focused on his team and its style of play, rather than the individuals coming into the group. “We have a style now. We can keep the ball and be very good with the ball. We created many opportunities and have to follow our way. We want to play and not always be a team who adapts. We want to keep our style.”
Benstiti continued, “We need to be strong in the box when there is a cross, corner kick, free kick... more determined. I think the players are really focused on that and we will figure out many things this week in North Carolina.”
5. GAME ON CBS – This week’s match will be broadcast on CBS, which is always an exciting opportunity for both the teams and the fans. “It is super exciting and makes us want it just that much more because we know that there’s a lot of eyes on us,” said Pruitt. “We need to just do awesome so that everybody that's viewing can see how exciting women's soccer is.”
In addition to being broadcast on CBS, this game will feature a Juneteenth celebration. North Carolina Courage and OL Reign have come together to collaborate on the holiday. Both teams will be wearing supporter-designed Juneteenth shirts during warm-up, as well as auctioning off shirts signed by both teams. Additionally, donations of nonperishable food items can be brought to WakeMed Soccer Park during business hours during the week or to the match on Saturday. These initiatives will benefit Rebuilding Together.
MultiCare Injury Report
OUT
Ally Watt – Right Knee
Karen Bardsley – Left Thigh – SEI
Rose Lavelle – Left Ankle
Kelcie Hedge – Right Foot
Rosie White - Illness
QUESTIONABLE
None
INTERNATIONAL DUTY
Nicole Momiki