Match Forecast: New-Look Reign Face Familiar Foe On Tuesday Night

OL Reign return home to take on the Chicago Red Stars in the second game of four matches the clubs are slated to play in 2021, with the first match on April 27 ending in a 3-2 win for the Reign. OL Reign enters the match on a three-match losing streak after falling 2-1 to the North Carolina Courage on Saturday, June 19.

Chicago comes to Cheney with a bit of momentum after the team picked up a draw against the Spirit on Saturday thanks to a stoppage time PK converted by Morgan Gautrat that netted a late point for the Red Stars. Tuesday’s match could feature the debut of French superstar forward Eugenie Le Sommer, who joined the Reign on loan from OL earlier this month. 

WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT on Tuesday, June 22 at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, WA. 

WHERE TO WATCH: Get tickets for the match here. The match will also be available to watch in the U.S. and internationally on Twitch. 

2021 RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-D-L): OL Reign: 1-3-1 (4 points, ninth place), Chicago Red Stars 2-2-2 (8 points, fifth place) 

Key Points Ahead of the Match

1. LAST MEETING – OL Reign last played the Chicago Red Stars at Cheney Stadium during the 2021 Challenge Cup in April 2021. The Reign initially went down 1-0 in the match, when Mallory Pugh scored for Chicago in the 38th minute. Sofia Huerta found an equalizer for the Reign in the 41st minute, sending the teams to halftime tied 1-1. In the second half, OL Reign struck first, thanks to a 70th minute goal from Leah Pruitt. The Reign continued to press on, allowing Tziarra King to find a third goal for the team in the 87th minute. Chicago added a goal in the 90th minute, making the final score of the match 3-2. 

2. SECOND OF THREE GAMES IN A WEEK – Both OL Reign and Chicago have a weeklong stretch with three league games. Previously, both teams played on June 19. Following the match in Tacoma on Tuesday, the teams round out the seven-day period with a match on Saturday, June 26. With many players also coming off of international duty or facing injuries, the teams could see some variations in their lineups. For OL Reign, this includes Olympique Lyonnais loanee Eugénie Le Sommer being available for selection against Chicago. OL Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock was clear and concise on her opinion about the situation, “We have to start performing and we have to start picking up points.”  

3. SCOUTING CHICAGO– The Red Stars are in fifth place, with two wins, two losses, and two draws. Most recently, Chicago battled to a 1-1 draw against the Washington Spirit. Washington scored first, but not until the 85th minute, when Trinity Rodman found the back of the net. Chicago, desperate for the equalizer, put Washington under pressure. The chance came for Chicago when they earned a penalty kick in the final minutes of the match. Morgan Gautrat stepped up to the spot and confidently placed the ball in the back of the net to tie up the game. The 1-1 score line held through the remainder of stoppage time and each team took home one point. 

4. OL REIGN’S LAST MATCH – The Reign most recently took on North Carolina Courage on the road. With new signings arriving and some international players still out, the Reign debuted a lineup that had never been seen before, including Sam Hiatt and Alana Cook in the backline, Sarah Bouhaddi in goal and Dzsenifer Marozsán in the midfield. 

North Carolina found the back of the net first, on a 45th minute goal from Jessica McDonald. The Courage struck again in the 77th minute, when substitute Sam Mewis scored in the 77th minute, doubling North Carolina’s lead. OL Reign’s substitutes helped the team battle back into the match, driving the team forward late in the game. Jess Fishlock pickpocketed an unsuspecting Denise O’Sullivan to gain possession of the ball and chipped the North Carolina goalkeeper, Casey Murphy, from distance, getting OL Reign on the scoresheet in the 86th minute. Despite the late surge, OL Reign was unable to mount a comeback and was handed their third consecutive loss of the regular season. 

“Obviously not the result we wanted as a team against North Carolina. We need to be more effective in front of the goal and finish our opportunities when they come. We are determined to do better against Chicago and find our harmony together,” said OL Reign head coach Farid Benstiti. 

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