International Recap: September FIFA Window
OL Reign had eight players out on international duty during the September FIFA window:
Canada – Jordyn Huitema and Quinn
Over the FIFA break, Canada played in two friendly matches, both against Australia. Huitema appeared in both matches, playing 69 minutes in the first match and 90 in the second match. Quinn was available on the bench in the first match but did not make an appearance and they played 13 minutes in the second match.
In their first match up, Canada got the better of Australia, winning by a score of 1-0. The match was a fierce battle throughout, with both teams determined to earn the win and gain momentum going into the second match. Canada scored the lone goal of the match early on, in just the 11th minute. Adriana Leon hit a beautiful strike from distance to put the Canadians ahead. Kailen Sheridan came up big in goal for Canada in the match, maintaining the shutout and helping her team to victory.
In the rematch just days later, the game was an intense battle from the first whistle. This match, Australia applied a lot more pressure to Canada and opened up counterattacks for themselves, resulting in a third minute goal from Mary Fowler in just the third minute of the match. Australia would maintain the lead through halftime, but not long after the break, Canada struck back. The goal was once again scored by Adriana Leon. Not content with a draw, Canada pushed on to find a game winner in the 64th minute, yet again from Leon.
.Mexico – Jimena Lopez
Jimena Lopez and Mexico played in two friendly matches over the FIFA break. The team first took on New Zealand and narrowly fell, conceding just one goal in the 84th minute. Jimena Lopez started the match and played all 90 minutes for her country, putting in a solid shift. For the majority of the match, the teams were deadlocked at zeros, battling for victory. CJ Bott was the difference maker for New Zealand, as she netted the 84th minute goal.
In their second match of the FIFA window, Mexico took on Angel City FC Lopez, no stranger to playing against NWSL teams, started the match and played all 90 minutes. In this unique match, the entire first half went scoreless. After halftime, Mexico came out reenergized and ready to score. They got on the board first in the 72nd minute, when a free kick forced Angel City to concede an own goal. It wasn’t long before Mexico doubled their lead. Jacqueline Ovalle cut a cross toward the middle of the box for Scarlett Camberos, who finished the ball to the near post. Mexico held onto the 2-0 win and claimed the first Copa Angelina trophy.
USWNT – Alana Cook, Sofia Huerta, Rose Lavelle and Megan Rapinoe
The U.S. Women’s National Team played a two game friendly series against Nigeria over the FIFA window. In the first match, Alana Cook and Sofia Huerta played all 90 minutes, while Rose Lavelle started and played 70 minutes and Megan Rapinoe subbed in for 26 minutes. From the first whistle, the U.S. applied intense pressure to Nigeria, earning two early goals, in the 14th minute and 25th minute, thanks to Sophia Smith and Lindsey Horan. In stoppage time of the first half, Smith added another goal, sending the U.S. into halftime up 3-0. After the break, the U.S. found one more goal on an Alex Morgan penalty kick to win 4-0.
In the next match, Cook, Huerta and Lavelle started and played the whole match and Rapinoe subbed in for a 25-minute shift. Through the first half, the U.S. dominated in possession and got on the board first. A low cross from Mallory Pugh forced a Nigeria own goal. The score remained 1-0 going into halftime. After the break, Nigeria struck first, when Uchenna Kanu got in behind the United States defense and dribbled into the box, finishing the play with a shot into the back of the net. However, in the 66th minute, Lavelle found the game winner on a spectacular diving header. Rapinoe served the ball into the box just one minute after coming onto the field as a substitute and connected with her OL Reign teammate to secure the victory the United States.
Wales – Jess Fishlock
Jess Fishlock and the Wales Women’s National Team had two World Cup Qualifying matches over the FIFA break. Fishlock was available on the bench in both matches but did not see the field.
First up for Wales was Greece. Wales was the dominant team, controlling the game offensively, while Greece opted to sit back behind the ball. With 10 shots and 67% possession, Wales never felt too threatened by Greece. The one-goal game was decided in the 34th minute of the match, when Carrie Jones scored her first ever goal for Wales. With the draw, Cymru only needed one more point from their final qualifying match against Slovenia later in the week to progress to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Playoffs.
In their match against Slovenia, Wales played in front of a record crowd of 12,471 in Cardiff City Stadium. The game was evenly matched throughout 90 minutes, with both teams level at 11 shots apiece and nearly splitting possession 50/50. Wales’ best chance of the match came in the second half. Gemma Evans got into the box, looking to head the ball into the back of the net, but Slovenia’s goalkeeper saved it just in time, punching the ball out of danger. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, but that was enough for Wales to make history, as they secured their first ever move beyond the qualifying group for a major tournament