Match Forecast: OL Reign Prepared for First Road Match of 2022 Against Angel City FC
OL Reign is set to play its first road match of the 2022 Challenge Cup against Angel City FC. Both teams will be looking for their first win of 2022 in their first ever meeting.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. PT on Saturday, March 26 at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, California.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Twitch internationally.
2022 CHALLENGE CUP RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): OL Reign: 0-0-1 (1 point), Angel City FC: 0-0-1 (1 point)
Key Points Ahead of the Match:
1. LAST MEETING – This match will be the first meeting between OL Reign and Angel City FC in any competition. On July 21, 2020, it was announced by the NWSL that Los Angeles would be awarded an expansion franchise for the 2022 season. Angel City kicked off their inaugural campaign last weekend against fellow expansion team San Diego Wave FC.
2. SCOUTING ANGEL CITY – Angel City and San Diego met at Titan Stadium on Saturday, March 19 and battled to a 1-1 draw in both 2022 expansion sides’ first competition. The first half of the match went scoreless, but there was not a lack on chances on either side of the field, setting but the second half for an entertaining show.
After halftime, Angel City came out determined to find the opening goal of the match and the team did so just four minutes in. Midfielder Savannah McCaskill headed a well-placed cross into the back of the net to take the lead for her team, as well as score the first goal in Angel City FC history. Angel City continued to press San Diego but did not find the back of the net again.
When it looked like Angel City was ready to take home three points, San Diego Wave struck, finding the equalizer 81 minutes into the match. The Wave took advantage of sloppy defending from Angel City on the corner kick to put the ball in the back of the net. Defender Kaleigh Riehl was the one to tap the ball home and find San Diego’s first goal of the season.
3. BUILDING ON LAST WEEK – OL Reign’s first match at Lumen Field, against Portland Thorns FC ended in a 1-1 draw last Friday. It was a hard-fought match and both teams had several chances on goal to find a game-winner but did not capitalize. Defender Sofia Huerta was the one to score OL Reign’s lone goal of the match, after being set up by midfielder Angelina. The 19th minute goal was beautifully struck, leaving no chance for Portland’s goalkeeper to make a save.
Moving into the match against Angel City, one of OL Reign’s goals will be to take advantage of the chances that they have in the final third of the field. The team will be looking to show a bit more quality with the opportunities they have, as well as working on their composure as they build their attack.
4. NEW OPPONENT – As OL Reign and Angel City FC have not played each other yet, neither squad knows exactly what to expect from the other, but the Reign has done its homework and is ready for the challenge of taking on a new opponent.
“Playing a new team is always interesting because you don't know you know a lot of their tendencies,” said head coach Laura Harvey. “We came and watched the game last week, so we got some insight into who they were in that game. I think that they’re a threat going forward for sure and we have to stop the service to their front four.”
OL Reign’s backline is ready to put in the work to shutout Angel City’s backline. The group has had a chance to mesh, according to OL Reign goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
“I’m very grateful for my back line and we have so much experience. We have Lu Barnes who is always there in backline guiding us throughout the games and even in training. Alana Cook and Sam Hiatt are just the greatest people on and off the field, and Sofia on the outside who is just a work horse,” said Tullis-Joyce.
MultiCare Injury Report:
OUT
Alyssa Malonson – Knee
Megan Rapinoe – Calf
QUESTIONABLE
None