Match Forecast: OL Reign Set for Square off Against Chicago

OL Reign is back home at Lumen Field for the second time this season as they take on the Chicago Red Stars at 12:30 p.m. today. This is the third match the Reign has played since last Saturday, so the depth of the team will be tested against the Red Stars, who notably did not play a midweek UKG Challenge Cup match.

WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 12:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, April 22 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington 

WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available on Paramount+ and TSN+

2023 NWSL REGULAR SEASON RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): OL Reign: 2-1-0 (6 points, 4th place), Chicago Red Stars: 1-2-0, (3 points, 8th place)

Key Points Ahead of the Match:

1. LAST MEETING – The last time OL Reign and the Chicago Red Stars went head-to-head was a regular season match at Lumen Field on September 9, 2022. The match ended in a 2-2 draw and was the last time the Reign allowed a goal at home during the regular season. OL Reign scored first in the match when forward Jordyn Huitema notched her first NWSL regular season goal in the 18th minute. However, forward Ella Stevens equalized for Chicago in stoppage time of the first half. Midfielder Dani Colaprico was next on the scoresheet, taking the lead for Chicago on a 68th minute penalty kick, but midfielder Rose Lavelle equalized and secured a point for OL reign in the 80th minute.

2. SCOUTING CHICAGO – In the regular season, the Red Stars have played three matches and come away with one win and two losses. Their first win was last weekend against the Kansas City Current and featured a total of six goals between the two teams. Forward Ella Stevens put Chicago up early with a fourth minute goal, before a Penelope Hocking brace and Kansas City own goal brough the score to 4-0. In the final 16 minutes of the match, Kansas City found two goals back, but it wasn’t enough to take the three points from Chicago.

“I think, obviously, they’ve kept a similar formation to what they did last year and it’s hard to play against. Yeah, they’re difficult to break down and they have threats going forward that could tend to come a little bit late into the attack. I just think we have to stay organized and get on the front foot whenever we can, defensively, and try to create overloads in different areas of the field where possible,” said OL Reign head coach Laura Harvey.

3.  DEPTH – As mentioned, OL Reign is fighting a congested schedule, as they played at home last Saturday, traveled to a UKG Challenge cup match in Los Angeles on Wednesday and now are back in Seattle for another regular season match at home. However, the bench of OL Reign is highly regarded as one of the deepest in the league, so the team remains unphased about any possible changes in the lineup and are well prepared thanks to the efforts of head coach Laura Harvey.

“I think the reality of the situation is everybody has to be ready at all times and we kind of keep that standard here, especially knowing that we have [games on] Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday. You have to be prepared because you never know what is going to happen. So, I think that, that’s kind of something Laura instills in us – to be ready at all times so that when you have your opportunity, you can perform. So, I don’t think it really has changed much.,” said OL Reign forward King.

MultiCare Availability Report:

OUT

Angelina (SEI - knee)

Rose Lavelle (leg)

Phoebe McClernon (back)

Quinn (leg)

Olivia Van der Jagt (excused absence)

QUESTIONABLE

None