Match Forecast: OL Reign Set to Play UKG NWSL Challenge Cup Semifinal Against Louisville

OL Reign is at Lumen Field for a high-stakes match up against Racing Louisville FC. After a great group stage run, the Reign are looking to secure a win and move on to the Challenge Cup final this weekend. 

WHEN AND WHERE: The Reign kickoff at 7:00 p.m. PT at Lumen Field in Seattle. Fans can get tickets HERE. 

WHERE TO WATCH: Fans can tune in to the match on CBS Sports Network. 

Key Points Ahead of the Match: 

1. LAST MEETING – The last time OL Reign and Racing Louisville FC met was July 1 at Lumen Field. The match ended in a 2-2 draw after OL Reign initially went down 2-0. Prior to that meeting, the two sides met in April. In that match, the Reign once again trailed by two goals and came back late in the second half to earn a 2-2 draw to keep their undefeated record again Louisville. 

“I think the team is feeling really good. Obviously, especially coming off of the win against Orlando (Pride), that was a must make or break kind of game in our minds and I think we're already on a high from that,” said OL Reign defender Shae Holmes ahead of today’s match. 

“It's just been, throughout the whole locker room and team vibe, I know Challenge Cup has been a strong suit for us lately. So, I know everyone's been prepared, we're prepared to use the depth of the team, everyone's all in. I just think everyone's excited. We haven't let a goal in, we obviously won all of them. So yeah, we're on a good streak. So, I think everyone is feeling really confident, everyone feels prepared, everyone knows their role, so we're super excited.” 

2. SCOUTING LOUISVILLE – Most recently, Racing Louisville took on the Portland Thorns in a regular season match up. Though the Thorns opened the scoring in the sixth minute of the match, Racing Louisville pulled off a 2-1 comeback win, scoring two goal just four minutes apart. 

“I think they're a good team,” said OL Reign head coach Laura Harvey. “I think they play football. I think they are very good on set pieces. I think they come out the blocks really quickly and they've done that in all the games we've played against them previously. But I think what we've shown is that we hang in games - we tend to stay in it and then we can always, hopefully, bring something to the table late in games. So, I think that's something that has been historically sort of how it's worked between the two teams and the irony is the only competition I've ever beaten Louisville in is a cup [The Women's Cup]. So, let's hope that happens again tomorrow." 

3. HISTORY – OL Reign are undefeated against Louisville in all competitions, dating back to Racing Louisville’s first season in the NWSL in 2021. Through six NWSL meetings, OL Reign has one win and five draws, taking three points from the very first meeting between the two teams. There are seven active OL Reign players with a goal or more in the head-to-head series. 

Outside of the NWSL regular season, OL Reign and Racing Louisville met in The Women’s Cup final in 2022. In the match, Racing got on the board first, but OL Reign came back to win 2-1. 

MultiCare Availability Report: 

OUT  

Bethany Balcer (leg) 

Rose Lavelle (leg) 

QUESTIONABLE 

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