Match Forecast: OL Reign Set for Last Challenge Cup Group Stage Match Against Portland
OL Reign is set to take on the Portland Thorns for the final time in this year’s UKG NWSL Challenge Cup. The Reign have already clinched top of the West division but will be looking for three points against their biggest rivals.
WHEN AND WHERE: OL Reign kicks off at 3:00 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, or get tickets to attend the event in person HERE.
2023 UKG NWSL CHALLENGE CUP RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): OL Reign: 4-0-1 (13 points, 1st place), Portland Thorns FC: 2-0-3 (6 points, 3rd place)
Key Points Ahead of the Match:
1. LAST MEETING – OL Reign and Portland Thorns FC last met at the end of June in a Challenge Cup match. OL Reign came out on top in the match, serving Portland their first home loss of the year. OL Reign’s depth was on full display in the match and the victory was earned through a true team performance. The game winning goal was scored by forward Elyse Bennett. The Reign earned a free kick, which defender Shae Holmes took quickly, passing the ball short to fellow defender Alyssa Malonson. Malonson served a ball into the box and Bennett made no mistakes as she got her head on the end of it to send it into the back of the net.
2. SCOUTING PORTLAND – Most recently, the Thorns fell 2-1 in a Challenge Cup match against Angel City FC. Portland conceded their first goal in just the ninth minute of the match as Jasmyne Spencer and Savannah McCaskill connected. Before the half was over, Portland equalized on a counterattack, with Morgan Weaver striking the ball last. However, Angel City scored almost immediately after returning from halftime, with McCaskill finding herself a second goal directly off of a free kick.
“We're really excited and as you guys know, the rivalry, so we're just ready to get after it and of course we want to make an impact and get the first seed so that we can play at home in the Challenge Cup, so I think everyone's just prepared to go out there and fight like we always do against Portland and have that winning mentality.," said OL Reign midfielder Olivia Van der Jagt.
3. BITTER RIVALS – With a long history between the two teams, it’s certain that both sides are looking forward to the match up. For fans, players and coaches alike, there’s something special about playing against your biggest rival.
“It's Seattle-Portland, you're always looking forward to that game whenever it comes around. The fact that it's got a little bit of something on it for us and for them, it's probably Seattle-Portland and that's the biggest target for them. I think it's great and the fact that we've got a good attendance potentially coming just isn't surprising because it's the fact that it's Seattle-Portland, I think, is great. I'm just really happy that this group gets a really good opportunity to go out and show who they are again,” said OL Reign head coach Laura Harvey.
“I've said this before, I've really enjoyed this period of working with this group, being able to have time together to train, which we've got a lot of prior to the San Diego game and because we played on a Friday and this game is on a Sunday, we get a little bit more training time. So, it's just been nice to be able to see the girls progress and tomorrow's another opportunity to evaluate where we are individually and collectively as a team with pretty much what we're potentially going to look like going into our next regular season game, hopefully, with (midfielder) Angelina and (midfielder) Quinn and (forward) Jordyn (Huitema) back and hopefully not anyone else. So, I think, yeah, it's just another cool opportunity to see this group and see what they can do.”
MultiCare Availability Report:
OUT
Jess Fishlock (leg)
Kelly Ann Livingstone (leg)
Luany (excused absence)
QUESTIONABLE
None
INTERNATIONAL
Alana Cook (USA)
Sofia Huerta (USA)
Rose Lavelle (USA)
Megan Rapinoe (USA)
Emily Sonnett (USA)