Match Forecast: OL Reign Visit Orlando for the First Time this Season

OL Reign play their second away match in a row this Saturday in Orlando, Florida against the Orlando Pride. The team has been away from Tacoma for well over a week, as they traveled directly to Orlando following the game in Chicago. The Reign and Pride are meeting for the first time this season, both coming off losses last weekend. They have not faced off since October 2019.

WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 4:00 p.m. PT on Saturday, July 24 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida

WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available on Twitch

2021 RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-D-L): OL Reign: 3-6-1 (10 points, ninth place), Orlando Pride: 4-3-4 (16 points, fifth place)

Key Points Ahead of the Match:

1. LAST MEETING – OL Reign and Orlando Pride last faced off in October 2019 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The action-packed match ended in a 2-2 draw, featuring goals from Rachel Hill and Marta for Orlando and Darian Jenkins and Jodie Taylor for OL Reign. Orlando initially went up 1-0 in the 24th minute, but OL Reign took the lead just before half time after scoring two goals in seven minutes. Orlando managed to find an equalizer in the 86th minute to split the points at the final whistle. The Reign and Pride have a history of draws with an overall record of two wins, one loss and seven draws for the Reign.

2. SCOUTING ORLANDO – The Orlando Pride are currently in fifth place in the NWSL standings with 16 points and a 4-3-4 record. Most recently, Orlando squared off with the Portland Thorns at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon. Ultimately, Orlando walked away with a loss, but not without scoring a goal and saving a penalty kick. Sophia Smith opened the scoring for the Portland in the 26th minute of the match. Before the half was over, Portland was awarded a penalty kick. Rocky Rodriguez stepped up to the spot for Portland but was unable to beat Orlando goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris. In the second half, Marissa Everett got a second on the board for Portland. Orlando continued to fight until the end of the game, adding a late goal in stoppage time thanks to Marisa Viggiano.

Today, July 23, one day before the match, Orlando Pride announced that head coach Marc Skinner will be stepping down, effective immediately to pursue a coaching opportunity outside of the NWSL. Assistant coach Carl Green will coach the Pride for the match against the Reign on the 24th but will also be departing the club. Orlando will announce the club’s interim head coach in the near future.

3. FINISHING THE GAME STRONG – Against Chicago, OL Reign scored first, just 12 minutes into the match. Though their first half performance was not perfect, the opportunities to keep Chicago out of the game were there. In order to find success in the NWSL, the Reign need to carry their intense performance through the entirety of the match and take teams out of the game when they have the chance. Rather than sitting on one goal in the first half, the team must continue to press and focus on the details, like completing passes under pressure and finishing chances on goal. It is also essential to find a way to adjust when the other team scores a goal.

“We just have to figure out how to finish the game off and really put the nail in the coffin so they don’t get back in and that’s just the bottom line,” said OL Reign forward Tziarra King.

4. BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN ONE ANOTHER – This season, the Reign have made a number of changes and signings, but as of last week, Jimena Lopez, the Reign’s most recent signing, has arrived. Although the five players in the Olympics (Momiki, Angelina, Quinn, Lavelle, Rapinoe), as well as new head coach Laura Harvey, will remain out until next month, the team can begin to settle into a consistent form and learn to work with one other on a deeper level. Increasing the team’s confidence in one another will impact the way that the team plays, as well as how the team responds when the game turns into the favor of the opposing team.

“I think we are beginning to build our confidence and our trust and understanding in one another. As that comes together, it’s translating into our game,” said OL Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock. “I think being on the road and being around each other is great,” added defender Lauren Barnes. “It does give us a lot of time to reconnect, refocus and continue to build on what we want here at the Reign.”

MultiCare Injury Report:

OUT

Ally Watt – Right Knee

Rosie White - Illness

QUESTIONABLE

Bethany Balcer – Left Ankle

Sam Hiatt - Illness

Jessica Fishlock - Right Hamstring