International Recap: Reign FC Players Stun on International Duty
All six Seattle Reign FC players who were away with their national teams this international break made an appearance for their team. In total, five goals were scored by four Reign FC players across six matches played.
For Canada, the international break is not yet over, as the team has advanced to the Concacaf W Gold Cup quarterfinal round and will take on Costa Rica once again, this time on Saturday, March 2 at 4:00 p.m. PT at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Canada – Jordyn Huitema and Quinn
Canada vs. El Salvador
Canada took on El Salvador in their first of three Concacaf W Gold Cup group stage matches to kick off the international break for Seattle Reign FC. Both Reign players, forward Jordyn Huitema and midfielder Quinn, started the match. Huitema, who added a goal in Canada’s 6-0 win, subbed off in the 64th minute, and Quinn played the entire match.
It was clear from the first whistle that Canada was feeling confident as they immediately began to control the ball and dictate the tempo of the match. The first goal of the night at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas was notched just three minutes in, when Cloe Lacasse sliced into the box before hitting a left-footed shot into the back of the net.
El Salvador pushed for a goal of their own as the match continued, creating opportunities from Canadian mistakes, but it wasn’t enough to get on the board. Huitema was the next to score for Canada, doubling their lead just 24 minutes into the match. Lacasse, who scored the first goal, served a ball into the back post from the right side of the field, where Huitema was poised to one touch it into the net.
Four minutes later, Canada struck again. Lacasse once again earned the assist, this time connecting with Adriana Leon to bring the score to 3-0 in the first half.
In the second half, El Salvador mounted a promising attack in the 55th minute as they served a free kick into the box, but the team couldn’t quite connect to find the finishing touch. Four minutes later, Canada found their first goal of the second half from the penalty spot, marking Leon’s second goal of the night.
The final two goals of the match were scored in the 62nd minute and 86th minute, respectively. Kadeisha Buchanan and Olivia Smith got on the scoresheet, bringing the final score to a strong 6-0 to open Canada’s Gold Cup run.
Canada vs. Paraguay
Canada put on another dominant performance in their second match of the Concacaf W Gold cup on Sunday, taking down Paraguay by a score of 4-0 at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston. With the win, Canada sits atop Group C with six points a positive ten goal differential. Quinn started the match for Canada and played the entire first half, while Huitema subbed onto the field in the 62nd minute of the match.
Canada opened the scoring of the match in the 23rd minute, when Adriana Leon, who scored in Canada’s first Gold Cup match, found the back of the net once again. Olivia Smith, who also added a goal for Canada in the team’s first match of the tournament, notched her second career goal in the 39th minute of the match to strengthen Canada’s lead.
Paraguay had a couple chances on goal just before halftime, but the first went wide of the net and out of danger, while the second found its way on frame, but not past Kailen Sheridan in the net.
At the start of the second half, Leon was quick to double her tally and extend Canada’s lead in the 49th minute. She didn’t stop there as she added yet another in the 56th minute of the match, earning a hattrick.
Though there were more chances in the match, including an attempt from Huitema in the 86th minute and a denied penalty kick in stoppage time, the game closed out with a score of 4-0.
Canada will play Costa Rica in their final Group C match at Shell Energy Stadium on Wednesday, February 28 at 3:00 p.m. PT.
Canada vs. Costa Rica
Canada rounded out their group stage play in the Concacaf W Gold Cup with another dominant win, scoring three goals on Costa Rica. Seattle Reign FC forward Jordyn Huitema started and played 66 minutes, while Quinn was available for selection.
The match got off to a fast start for Canada, with Huitema opening the scoring in the 11th minute to set the tone of the match. Teammate Jessie Fleming played a long ball into the box for Huitema, who used her head to find the back of the net.
Canada doubled their lead on Costa Rica in the 27th minute, off a corner kick. Adriana Leon served the ball to the far post, where Shelina Zadorsky scored the second header of the night. Canada continued to dominate and headed to the locker room up 2-0 at the half.
In the second half, the Canadian side to threaten on goal while maintaining a solid defensive line. The third and final goal of the match in the 57th minute, once again from the head of Zadorsky. Olivia Smith, who had subbed into the match in the second half, was the one to serve the corner into the box for Zadorsky to head home.
As the match was approaching its end, Costa Rica had a couple of offensive chances, but they were not enough to get past Canada. With this win, Canada finished the group stage of the tournament with a perfect 3-0-0 record and without conceding a single goal.
Korea Republic – Ji So-Yun
Korea Republic vs. Czech Republic
In their first action of 2024, Korea Republic defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in a friendly match in Portugal. Reign midfielder Ji So-Yun started the match and played 75 minutes for Korea and notched the first goal of the match for her team.
Playing a 3-5-2 formation, Korea Republic used their strength out wide to shake the Czech Republic early in the match. They found their first chance on goal just four minutes in, but the attempt was just off frame. The first goal of the match was scored by Korea 12 minutes later. Ji stepped up to take a free kick from outside the box and made no mistake as she bypassed the Czech Republic wall and found the back of the net, marking her 70th international goal for Korea Republic.
For the rest of the half, Korea fought to maintain their lead, narrowly avoiding conceding a goal around the half mark, but defended well to head into halftime up 1-0.
In the second half, Korea struck first once again. Choo Hyo-joo played a pass to Casey Phair, who was making a run off the ball. Phair beat the Czech Republic defense to get into the box before taking a low shot past the goalkeeper to double the lead.
Korea conceded a goal in the 53rd minute of the match when two Czech players connected on a cross, but Korea continued to control the match and see the game through. At the final whistle, Korea was victorious, defeating the Czech Republic 2-1 in their first match of the year.
Korea Republic vs. Portugal
Korea Republic rounded out their international window with a 5-1 loss to Portugal, attaining a 1-1-0 record overall. Seattle Reign FC midfielder, Ji So-Yun started the match and played all 90 minutes in the midfield.
The match, which took place in Lisbon, started with immediate pressure from the home side, as they began to threaten down the right side of the field and send early warning signs to Korea Republic. Though Portugal took control of the match, Ji stepped up to take a freekick for the visitors in the 11th minute, hoping to score as she did in the previous match, but the shot was not enough to find the back of the net.
The first goal of the match was scored in the 18th minute, when a series of mistakes resulted in Portugal taking the lead. Not content to stay a goal down, Korea Republic pressed on, nearly notching an equalizer in the 25th minute of the match., though falling just short.
Before the first half could end, Portugal scored three more goals to extend their lead. The goals, which came in the 37th, 45th and second minute of stoppage time, prompted some second half substitutions for Korea. Portugal once again opened the scoring of the half, just six minutes in from a play that left a Portuguese player one on one with the goalkeeper.
Despite being down five goals, Korea Republic continued to fight through the match, earning a great opportunity on goal eight minutes after conceding. Though the team did not score, it fueled them even more. They finally found their lone goal of the match in the 79th minute when Portugal’s keeper failed to stop a cross and Son Hwa-Yeon took a quick shot to earn a goal back for Korea. At the final whistle, the score was 5-1, resulting in defeat for Korea Republic in the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
Wales – Jess Fishlock, Angharad James and Lily Woodham
Wales vs. Republic of Ireland
Wales started their year with a solid 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland. The match, played in Dublin, featured all three of Seattle Reign FC’s Welsh players. Fishlock, James and Woodham all started the match and played 81, 64 and 63 minutes, respectively.
The impact of the Reign players was immediately felt in the match, as Fishlock opened the scoring just seven minutes into the match to put the Welsh side ahead. After Ireland failed to clear the danger on a corner kick, Hayley Ladd cut a ball to Fishlock, who made no mistake ad she blasted the ball into the back of the net.
Wales maintained composure on both sides of the ball, effectively keeping Ireland off the board. Goalkeeper Liv Clark came up with a crucial save in the 16th minute and Cymru doubled their defensive efforts.
In the 22nd minute, Wales struck again, doubling their lead on the road. This time, Woodham was the one to find the back of the net. Rhiannon Roberts crossed a ball to the top of the box from her position out wide, before Elise Hughes flicked the ball into the path of Woodham in the box. Woodham’s skill was on full display as she used the outside of her foot to find the back of the net with one touch.
After an action packed first half, Wales was keen to maintain their composure throughout the second half. The visitors made six total substitutions throughout the half and saw the game out to a solid 2-0 win against Ireland.