Match Forecast: OL Reign Back in Action Against San Diego Wave FC

OL Reign returns to Lumen Field after a well-deserved break to take on San Deigo Wave FC in a UKG NWSL Challenge Cup match up. After earning a 2-1 win against the Wave just over a month ago, the Reign will be looking to do it again, this time in front of a home crowd. 

WHEN AND WHERE: OL Reign kicks off at 7:00 p.m. PT at Lumen Field in Seattle, WA 

WHERE TO WATCH: Fans can tune in on Paramount+ in the U.S., TSN+ in Canada or at NWSLsoccer.com abroad. Fans can get tickets to attend the match HERE. 

2023 UKG NWSL CHALLENGE CUP RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): OL Reign: 3-0-1 (10 points, 1st place), San Diego Wave FC: 1-3-0 (3 points, 4th place) 

Key Points Ahead of the Match: 

1. LAST MEETING – OL Reign and San Diego Wave FC last met just over a month ago on June 24 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. The Reign started the match strong with an eighth minute goal. Midfielder Quinn received the ball in the middle of the field and lofted a perfectly weighted ball to the top of the six-yard box for forward Bethany Balcer to get her head on.  

The Reign held onto the lead through halftime but conceded a goal just two minutes into the second half. Wave forward Alex Morgan connected with midfielder Jaedyn Shaw to find the back of the net. Looking to take all three points from the match, OL Reign pushed on. In the 77th minute, Balcer found the game winner, heading a cross from defender Sofia Huerta into the back of the net. Before the match was over, Wave goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan was issued a red card for a challenge on forward Elyse Bennett, but the match ended 2-1 in favor of the Reign. 

2. SCOUTING SAN DIEGO – Most recently, San Diego took on Portland Thorns FC at Providence Park in Portland. The Wave conceded one goal in the first half and three in second, for a total of four goals, despite holding more than half of the possession in the match and managing 16 shots. However, the team did manage to pull one goal back late, thanks to Taylor Kornieck. 

"I think the most obvious [threat to focus on] is their aerial presence. I think that that has been a key factor for them and something that every team around the league now knows - something that they look for that they're very dominant in. So, I think that we have our own group of players and people that can challenge aerially as well, so I think that's going to be a battle and they like to play football as well. They have a great coach, likes to get the ball down and play and then get in behind the line whenever they can. So, it's going to be a good game and I feel like we always rise to the challenge to play them,” said OL Reign midfielder Marley Canales. 

3.  CHALLENGE CUP SCENARIOS – OL Reign has a chance to clinch their spot in the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup semifinal today. With a win, the Reign secure their place at the top of the West Division, regardless of any other results this weekend. If the team earns a draw, they will secure a top three finish if the Portland Thorns lose or draw. With a loss, the only way the team clinches their spot this weekend is if Portland also loses. 

4. BACK FROM BREAK – This is OL Reign’s first match back after a long break and the team is ready to go. 

“I think the squad looks great, trainings have been really sharp, very eager to go out and try and put a good performance together tomorrow to solidify top of the group. I expect what I always expect from them - well-organized, solid defensively, going to be difficult to break down and a threat. So, I think it's always a good matchup when we play each other and our group is in a really good place. Like I said, I think training has been really good this week. I think the break came at a good time for us, we needed it,” said OL Reign head coach Laura Harvey. 

“I think a lot of people are just excited to be back - all good vibes. I think that the break was good mentally and physically and I think people came back ready to go. We know that the first half of the season is done and now it's time to look towards the second half. It was a really great refresher and I think we came out flying and honestly, just really happy to be back on the ball, back on the field. So, the team's looking really good, sharp and we're super excited to get back out there,” said Canales. 

MultiCare Availability Report: 

OUT  

Jess Fishlock (leg) 

QUESTIONABLE 

Kelly Ann Livingstone (leg) 

INTERNATIONAL 

Angelina (BRA) 

Jordyn Huitema (CAN) 

Quinn (CAN) 

Alana Cook (USA) 

Sofia Huerta (USA) 

Rose Lavelle (USA) 

Megan Rapinoe (USA) 

Emily Sonnett (USA)