Match Forecast: Rematch Against Gotham for Saturday’s Pride Match Presented by Starbucks
OL Reign are set to face off on against NJ/NY Gotham FC for the second time this season on Saturday afternoon. Tomorrow’s match will be OL Reign’s annual Pride Match presented by Starbucks.
Coming off a 2-0 shutout on Tuesday night against Chicago Red Stars, OL Reign hope to build momentum as the team and league head into a six-week stretch without its Olympians. Weather could play a role in the game, as the temperature at the start of the match is likely to reach 95 degrees, but given the relatively low humidity, the start time for the game is unlikely to be impacted.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. PT on Saturday, June 26 at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Washington.
WEATHER: Sunny, 95 degrees
TICKETS: A limited number of tickets for the match are available at Ticketmaster. Prices start at $10.
WHERE TO WATCH: Fans in the United States can watch the match on Paramount+, while international fans can catch the game on Twitch.
2021 RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): OL Reign: 2-3-1 (7 points, eighth place), NJ/NY Gotham FC: 2-1-2 (8 points, fifth place).
Key Points Ahead of the Match
1. LAST MEETING – OL Reign and NJ/NY Gotham FC last met on June 5, 2021 in Harrison, New Jersey. OL Reign picked up a 1-0 loss off an early goal from Gotham (and former OL Reign) forward Ifeoma Onumonu. OL Reign saw many chances throughout the game, earning 18 shots, six of which were directed on target. OL Reign’s defense and goalkeeper Ella Dederick, who earned her first professional start that match, were solid, stopping Gotham from adding a second goal. The loss ended OL Reign’s two game win streak and launched the team into a three-game losing streak, which ended on Tuesday night when the Reign defeated the Chicago Red Stars 2-0 at Cheney Stadium.
“We are focused on our offensive transition to go as quick as possible in the final third,” said OL Reign head coach Farid Benstiti. “We can be more efficient in the box and around the box.”
2. SCOUTING NJ/NY GOTHAM FC– Gotham FC is currently in fifth place, with two wins, one loss and two draws for a total of eight points. The team most recently played the first-place Orlando Pride and split the points with a 1-1 draw. Gotham took the lead just before halftime, when Ifeoma Onumonu saw Gotham defender Caprice Dydasco making a run. Dydasco beat Orlando goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris to the left post to give Gotham FC a 1-0 lead heading into the half. However, Orlando found an equalizer in the 90th minute, when defender Courtney Petersen made a run down the left flank and took a shot to the far post out of Gotham goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan’s reach. Gotham will enter the match with a bit more rest than OL Reign, having not played a mid-week match.
“It’s a short time to rebuild the team, but I will not change too many things because we are trying to be consistent,” said Benstiti.
3. PRIDE MATCH PRESENTED BY STARBUCKS – Saturday’s match is OL Reign’s annual Pride Match, presented by Starbucks. Starbucks, who also presents our OL Reign Legends Campaign, is sponsoring the 2021 Pride Match to show their commitment to being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. Grounded in a mission “to inspire and nurture the human spirit, one cup, one person and one neighborhood at a time,” Starbucks believes it has a responsibility to strengthen our communities and has a long history of supporting its hometown in the Pacific Northwest.
OL Reign will wear jerseys that feature rainbow numbers on the back, in a show of solidarity and support for the LGBTQ+ community. The game-worn player-signed jerseys will then be sold online beginning at halftime of the match to raise money for Tacoma’s Rainbow Center. The Rainbow Center expands resources and safe space for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, two-spirit, and allied community through education, advocacy, and celebration. Starbucks will also be donating $4,500 to the Rainbow Place to support their mission.
4. OLYMPIC SEND OFF – Saturday’s match will be a send-off celebration for the players leaving to join their national teams for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. OL Reign’s Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle will represent the United States while Quinn will represent Canada. Nicole Momiki is already in Japan ready to represent the host nation.
Health and Safety
Saturday’s match will be the last under Washington State’s COVID-19 safety mandates. All attendees will be required to adhere to the following safety protocols while at Cheney Stadium:
Fans sitting in vaccinated sections need should use the exclusive stadium entrance at the Third Base Gate.
Proof of vaccination for fans 12 and older is required for fans sitting in vaccinated sections of the stadium.
Fans between the ages of 6 and 11 may provide a negative COVID test result to sit in the vaccinated section, provided they are accompanied by a vaccinated adult.
Free COVID tests for children will be available outside Cheney Stadium.
Fans ages 5 and under may sit in the vaccinated section with a vaccinated adult—no COVID test result is required.
Masks continued to be required at Cheney Stadium, except when eating or drinking.
The game on Saturday will feature unusually high temperatures during the match. OL Reign asks that fans attending in person be prepared for the high temperatures by wearing appropriate clothing and remaining mindful of their hydration needs. We encourage fans to bring empty or sealed water bottles into the stadium. Water fountains at Cheney Stadium will be open to refill the bottles. Free cups of water will be available at concession stands at no cost upon request.
MultiCare Injury Report
OUT
Ally Watt – Right Knee
Karen Bardsley – Left Thigh – SEI
Rosie White - Illness – D45
QUESTIONABLE
Rose Lavelle – Left Ankle
INTERNATIONAL DUTY
Nicole Momiki