Olympic Recap: Four OL Reign Players Make Appearances as 2020 Games Kickoff

On the first day of the group stage in the 2020 Olympics, four OL Reign players saw playing time with their national teams in empty stadiums across Tokyo. Two players – Rose Lavelle and Quinn – started for the United States and Canada respectively. Megan Rapinoe and Nicole Momiki entered the game as subs for the United States and Japan, while Angelina did not appear for Brazil. 

Each team has two more group stage matches to play before the top two teams in each group, as well as the best two third place teams, move onto the quarterfinals. 

Sweden vs. USA 

In a shocking start to the Olympic Games, the United States’ 44-match unbeaten streak was broken in a 3-0 loss to Sweden. Rose Lavelle started and played 80 minutes in her Olympic debut and Megan Rapinoe subbed in for Tobin Heath in the 64th minute. 

Sweden proved dangerous from kickoff. U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was put to the test early with Sweden earning several chances off set pieces with high pressure on the U.S. defense. Sweden’s first goal was a header from Stina Blackstenius in the 25th minute of the match, assisted by Sofia Jakobsson. Blackstenius scored again in the 54th minute, this time when Jonna Andersson’s corner kick to Amanda Ilestedt’s head rebounded off the back post where Blackstenius directed a half-volley into the back of the net. 

The U.S. created a number of chances down the stretch but could not get the board. Sweden scored their third goal in the 72nd minute, when Hannah Glas crossed a ball into Lina Hurtig who headed the ball into the back of the net, solidifying Sweden’s win over the United States. 

This loss is the United States first loss under head coach Vlatoko Andonovski and only the sixth time in history that the team has lost a game by three or more goals. 

Japan vs. Canada 

Two OL Reign players appeared in the Japan and Canada’s 1-1 draw. Quinn started for Canada and played until the 73rd minute, when they were replaced by Deanne Rose. Nicole Momiki subbed into the game for Japan in the 90th minute to play for the minimum eight minutes of stoppage time. 

Canada got on the board first, only six minutes into the match, when Christine Sinclair, making her 300th appearance for Canada, took a shot that hit the left post. She was there to immediately follow up, putting her next shot into the back of the net. 

In the second half, a collision in Canada’s 18-yard box resulted in a penalty kick for Japan, awarded after video review. Canada’s goalkeeper, Stephanie Labbé was injured in the collision and stayed down for several minutes. It looked like she was going to be subbed off the field, but ultimately decided to stay on the field. Mina Tanaka stepped up to take the penalty kick for Japan in the 54th minute, but Labbé saved the shot, preserving Canada’s narrow lead. Labbé was subbed off minutes later in the 58th minute. 

With six minutes left in the match, Mana Iwabuchi found an equalizer for Japan. Yui Hasegawa played a through ball to Iwabuchi, who found the bottom right corner of the net. Both teams fought to find a winning goal but neither team could score before the end of the match. 

China vs. Brazil 

Although Angelina did not make an appearance in Brazil’s first game, her team dominated the entire game, defeating China 5-0. The match featured a historic start from Brazil’s Formiga which marked her seventh Olympic tournament. She has competed in every Olympic women’s soccer competition. 

Brazil opened the scoring of the match in ninth minute, when Beatriz found Marta in the center of the box. Marta nailed her left footed shot past China goalkeeper Peng Shimeng. With that goal, Marta became the first player to score at five different Olympic Games. Brazil found one more goal before halftime, in the 21st minute. Debinha followed up a shot and directed the rebound into the bottom right corner of the net. 

Following halftime, Brazil solidified their win, scoring three more goals. The third goal was scored by Marta in the 73rd minute, this time a low shot from the edge of the 18-yard box. The fourth goal came on a controversial penalty kick call on a foul drawn by Andressa Alves in the 82nd minute. Alves stepped up to the spot and converted the penalty kick. Brazil’s fifth and final goal was a solid left footed shot from Beatriz, assisted by Debinha in the 89th minute. 

Updated Group Standings 

All teams have played one game. 

Group E 

1. Great Britain (3 points, +2 goal differential) 

2. Japan (1 point, 0 goal differential) 

3. Canada (1 point, 0 goal differential) 

4. Chile (0 points, -2 goal differential) 

Group F 

1. Netherlands (3 points, +7 goal differential) 

2. Brazil (3 points, +5 goal differential) 

3. China (0 points, -5 goal differential) 

4. Zambia (0 points, -7 goal differential)  

Group G 

1. Sweden (3 points, +3 goal differential) 

2. Australia (3 points, +1 goal differential) 

3. New Zealand (0 points, -1 goal differential) 

4. USA (0 points, -3 goal differential)  

Up Next 

Saturday, July 24 

12:30 a.m. PT – Chile vs. Canada (Quinn) 

3:30 a.m. PT – Japan (Momiki) vs. Great Britain 

4:00 a.m. PT – Netherlands vs. Brazil (Angelina) 

4:30 a.m. PT – New Zealand vs. United States (Lavelle, Rapinoe)