International Recap: OL Reign Players Continue to Work on International Duty

Brazil vs. Venezuela

In their second game of the Manaus International Tournament, Brazil defeated Venezuela 4-1. Once again, OL Reign midfielder Angelina started for Brazil and played into the second half.

Despite coming away with a victory, Brazil did not get off to a good start. The team conceded a goal in the opening minutes of the match and had to regroup to gain their composure and begin to search for an equalizer. After a couple more changes for Venezuela, it was Brazil’s turn to threaten offensively.

In the 19th minute, Tamires served a corner into the box and Kerolin was there to head the ball into the back of the net to level the score. Not too long after, Gabi Nunes found a second goal for Brazil to take the lead. Debinha served a freekick into the box and Nunes beat the Venezuelan backline to get on the end of it.

Continuing to press forward, Brazil found a third goal. It was Kerolin again, scoring her second of match to put Brazil up 3-1. Adriana played a good ball through Debhina to the feet of Kerolin. Kerolin made no mistake as she put the ball in the back of the net. Brazil scored one final goal, just before the end of the half. Debinha took advantage of a mistake from the Venezuelan defense and scored a fourth goal for Brazil.

After halftime, Brazil found many more chances to score, as they controlled the game, but were unable to capitalize on any of their chances and the score remained 4-1 through the final whistle.

Australia vs. USWNT

The United States ended their trip to Australia with a 1-1 draw. The game was a good opportunity for young players to get into the lineup. OL Reign defenders Alana Cook and Sofia Huerta, as well as midfielder Rose Lavelle, started the match.

The U.S. got on board early, thanks to a fourth minute goal from Ashley Hatch. The play started with a brilliant pass from Lynn Williams, who found Margaret Purce. Purce ran the ball down near the end line to the right of the goal and passed the ball back toward the middle of the penalty box to meet Hatch’s run. Hatch finished the ball in one touch to put the U.S. up 1-0.

After 20 minutes of play, Australia finally found their first shot of match, but goalkeeper Casey Murphy was there to save it and keep the U.S. in front. The United States backline looked solid throughout the match, allowing the team to get forward consistently.

The U.S. held the lead until the final minutes of the match, when Australia found an equalizer.  Sam Kerr received with her back to goal at the top of the U.S. penalty box and controlled the ball before distributing a pass to Kyah Simon. Simon took a solid shot, which deflected off a U.S. defender before finding the back of the net.

Portugal vs. Germany

OL Reign midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsán and the German national team picked up a 3-1 win against Portugal in their last game of the year. This win keeps Germany at the top of World Cup Qualifying Group H.

Germany scored all three of their goals in the first half. The first goal came in the 15th minute from Lea Schüller. Schüller scored her goal after working to win the ball on a corner kick. The next goal for Germany was scored in the 23rd minute by Svenja Huth. Huth took a nice shot from the top of the box and past the goalkeeper to double the lead for Germany.

Germany’s final goal was scored in the 28th minute of the match. Melanie Leupolz who was celebrating her 75th international appearance, took a shot toward goal, which took a deflection but still managed to find the back of the net. The only blot on the record was Portugal’s penalty kick goal, which unluckily rebounded in off goalkeeper Merle Frohms’ shoulder.

In the second half, OL Reign midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsán subbed onto the field. She got a shot off in the 64th minute, but Portugal’s goalkeeper was there to save it. The second half was lower energy than the first and neither side added another goal.

Wales vs. France

Wales fell 2-0 to France in their World Cup qualifying game, but it was a close game. OL Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock and Wales displayed skill and heart as they battled through the match.

The game was scoreless for nearly the entire first half. Both teams were focused on scoring the first goal and it was France who struck first. Wales got caught in possession high up the field and were left open for a counterattack. The French were clinical in their attack. Delphine Cascarino played a pass to Kadidiatou Diani to score.

After the halftime break, Wales came out with a renewed sense of energy. The Welsh nearly found an equalizer near the hour mark of the match when Fishlock hit a beautiful volley toward the lower corner of the goal, forcing the French goalkeeper to make a diving save.

Later, things got more difficult for the determined Wales side, as they were reduced to 10 players when Kayleigh Green was sent off for a second yellow card. It was Green’s second red card of the campaign. The sending off seemed to ignite the Welsh players even more as they continued to fight for an equalizer.

At the very end of the match, it looked as though Wales had found an equalizer with back-to-back chances from Sophie Ingle and Fishlock, but somehow, France kept the ball out of their goal. The ball popped back into the box and Fishlock had another go at it, but her effort struck the woodwork.

France took the opportunity in all of the chaos to launch a counterattack. Selma Bacha’s struck the ball from outside the box into the top left-hand corner of the goal made it 2-0. The game ended with the 2-0 score line, keeping Wales in second place in World cup Qualifying Group I.

Mexico vs. Canada

Mexico and Canada battled to a scoreless draw in their final match of the year. OL Reign defender Jimena Lopez started the game and played the first half, and OL Reign midfielder Quinn started the game and was subbed out in the 55th minute.

The two teams split possession throughout the match, with Canada earning 53% of possession and Mexico earning 47% of possession. Canada also beat out Mexico in shots taken, with 10 total shots taken and five on target. Mexico took only five shots throughout the match and managed to put one on target.

The first half was a physical battle, with both teams looking to get on the board first. Though Canada had the better chances, neither team was able to get the ball into the back of the net and went into the halftime break level.

After the break, both teams made a flurry of substitutions in an attempt to break the deadlock. Canada had a series of attempts on goal in the final quarter hour of the match, but Mexico’s goalkeeper and defense prevented the visitors from scoring. The game was held at 0-0 until the final whistle and the teams split the points in the friendly match.