Match Recap: OL Reign Shatters Orlando's Undefeated Streak in Comeback Win

OL Reign (7-4-6, 27 points, 4th place) pulled off another comeback win, this time against the Orlando Pride (5-6-6, 8th place). Megan Rapinoe’s stoppage time game winner earned an important three points for OL Reign and shattered Orlando’s seven game undefeated streak.

OL Reign started the game with their usual high press, forcing Orlando to work defensively. The Reign had the first six chances on the goal in the game, nearly opening the scoring in the 13th minute, when Rose Lavelle hit the woodwork with a powerful shot.

The team continued to test Erin McLeod in goal for Orlando, but the Canadian goalkeeper was up to the challenge. Orlando had very few offensive opportunities, rarely entering OL Reign’s defensive half of the field. The game became more physical as time progressed, upping the intensity.

The first half was nearing its end when Orlando found the back of the net, completely against the run of play. An unfortunate giveaway near OL Reign’s 18-yard box resulted in a goal scored by Meggie Dougherty Howard in the 37th minute of the match. In stoppage time of the first half, forward Bethany Balcer found a shot on target, but fell just short of the equalizer.

After halftime, the physicality of the game continued to build, with both sides desperate to get on the board first in the second half of the match. It was OL Reign to find the breakthrough goal and equalizer they were searching for. Forward Megan Rapinoe won possession of the ball in Orlando’s half before beating her defenders to serve a ball into the box. Balcer dove through the box to get her head on the end of, beating McLeod in goal to level the score.

Orlando began to get into the attack more in the second half, taking advantage of the fresh legs from their substitutions. OL Reign goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce came up big for the Reign, holding Orlando to just one goal.

Just as it looked like the teams were going to split the points, OL Reign found a game winner, courtesy of Rapinoe. Defender Sofia Huerta crossed a ball from the top of the 18-yard box to the back post, where Rapinoe volleyed the ball into the back of the net to secure three points and yet another comeback win on the road for OL Reign.

Key Facts:

· Since returning from international duty, Megan Rapinoe has recorded either a goal or an assist in every NWSL game she’s appeared in.

· This win marks four second-half comebacks in OL Reign’s last five road games across all competitions

· Midfielder Rose Lavelle made her 50th appearance in the regular season, becoming the ninth player on the active roster to reach the milestone. Lavelle totaled a team-leading four shots

 · Defender Sofia Huerta assisted the game-winning goal in the 90th minute, marking her fourth assist of the season, which is tied for second in the league. Huerta now has 29 assists all time in the NWSL regular season, which is one away from tying the all-time league record (30).  

UP NEXT: OL Reign returns to play on Friday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. PT at Lumen Field against the Chicago Red Stars. Get your tickets HERE.

MATCH SUMMARY

2022 NWSL Regular Season

OL Reign 2-1 Orlando Pride

Date/Time: Friday, August 26, 2022, 4:00 p.m. PT

Location: Exploria Stadium, Orlando, Florida

Weather: 77, Storms

Scoring Summary

RGN: Balcer– 56’, Rapinoe – 90+2’

ORL: Dougherty Howard – 37’

Discipline

RGN: Lavelle (Caution – 64’), Rapinoe (Caution – 90+3’)

ORL: Strom (Caution – 38’), Abello (Caution – 65’)

Lineups

RGN: GK Tullis-Joyce, D Huerta, D Cook, D Hiatt, D Barnes, M Fishlock, M Van der Jagt, M Lavelle, F Balcer (Stanton 80’), F Huitema (Latsko 88’), F Rapinoe (King 90+3’)

Unused substitutes: GK Ivory, D Lopez, D McClernon, M Canales, M Athens, D Miramontez

Total Shots: 15 (Lavelle – 4)

Shots on Goal: 5 (Balcer – 3)

Fouls: 13 (Lavelle – 4)

Offsides: 3

Corner Kicks: 1

Saves: 2 (Tullis-Joyce – 2)

ORL: GK McLeod, D Celia (Hanson 76’), D Montefusco, D Lawrence, D Strom, M Listro, M Dougherty Howard, M Villacorta (Cluff 25’), F Tymrak, F Doyle (Watt 54’), F Abello (Jonsdottir 76’)

Unused substitutes: GK Moorhouse, D Petersen, F Bugeja, F Pruitt, M Reiss

Total Shots: 8 (Dougherty Howard – 3)

Shots on Goal: 3 (Dougherty Howard – 2)

Fouls: 10 (Abello – 3)

Offsides: 2

Corner Kicks: 1

Saves: 3 (McLeod – 3)

Budweiser Player of the Match: Megan Rapinoe

Referee: Elvis Osmanovic

Assistant Referee 1: Ben Rigel

Assistant Referee 2: Jennifer Dumaine

4th Official: Sarieni Vasquez