Match Forecast: OL Reign Set to Square Off with Portland in UKG NWSL Challenge Cup Match

OL Reign is set to take on the Portland Thorns for the first time in this year’s UKG NWSL Challenge Cup. The Reign have already faced off against the other two teams in the group – Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC – and are currently undefeated in Challenge Cup play.

WHEN AND WHERE: OL Reign kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon.

WHERE TO WATCH: Fans can tune in on Paramount+ in the U.S., TSN+ in Canada or at NWSLsoccer.com abroad. There will be a local watch party at Rough & Tumble Pub in Ballard.

2023 UKG NWSL CHALLENGE CUP RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): OL Reign: 2-0-1 (7 points, 1st place), Portland Thorns FC: 1-0-1 (3 points, 2nd place)

Key Points Ahead of the Match:

1. LAST MEETING – OL Reign and Portland Thorns FC last met at the beginning of this month, at the Sounders FC/OL Reign doubleheader event. The regular season match up ended 2-0 in favor of the Thorns. Forward Sophia Smith scored the first goal of the match in the 17th minute, followed by a goal from forward Christine Sinclair in the 87th minute.

The Thorns have lost just once at home in Challenge Cup matches in the tournament’s history, which was a 1-0 loss to the Reign in April last year. Meanwhile, OL Reign are unbeaten over their last 12 Challenge Cup matches since April 2021.

2. SCOUTING PORTLAND – Most recently, the Thorns managed a 4-2 win in front of a home crowd against the Washington Spirit. In a back-and-forth game, Portland opened the scoring first, from the foot of Smith in the 11th minute. The Spirit found an equalizer just two minutes later, courtesy of forward Ashley Hatch. Before halftime, Portland tallied one more goal, once again scored by Smith.

In the second half, Washington scored first, thanks to a ball placed into the top-right corner of the goal by midfielder Ashley Sanchez. However, one minute later, Portland was back in the lead as Smith completed her hat trick. Forward Morgan Weaver found one more goal for Portland before the match was over.

“I think it's the first time, obviously this season, that we've really had to handle not having all of our internationals, so that's been a bit of an adjustment, just being here and just being on the road - we lost them in the midst of a long road trip. But yeah, everyone feels good. I think we've prepared really well for this opportunity, and I think everybody who gets a chance to play tomorrow is going to do really well and smash it,” said OL Reign goalkeeper Laurel Ivory.

3.  DEPTH ON DISPLAY – OL Reign has had to use the depth of their roster many times this season, between midweek Challenge Cup matches and various injuries plaguing the team. Now, with eight players out on international duty, the Reign will be tested once more. Earlier this week, the team announced the signing of five National Team Replacement Players that will step in during the international players’ prolonged absence.

“Honestly, we probably had to use our depth more than what we planned because of the injuries that we've had. I mean, (defender) Phoebe (McClernon), (midfielder) Angelina, (midfielder) Jess (Fishlock), (midfielder) Rose (Lavelle), (forward Megan Rapinoe) Pinoe have missed significant amounts of the games, in both Challenge Cup and regular season. So, we've had to already do that. It has exposed the players that we were preparing for this time earlier, so hopefully they're even more prepared for this period, which I think is going to be really important for us,” said Harvey.

Notably, six players on the Reign have started in all three Challenge Cup games – forwards Olivia Athens, Tziarra King and Veronica Latsko, midfielder Nikki Stanton and defenders Ryanne Brown and Shae Holmes. All six of these players of available for selection in tonight’s match against Portland.

MultiCare Availability Report:

OUT

None

QUESTIONABLE

Jess Fishlock (leg)

INTERNATIONAL

Angelina (BRA)

Jordyn Huitema (CAN)

Quinn (CAN)

Alana Cook (USA)

Sofia Huerta (USA)

Rose Lavelle (USA)

Megan Rapinoe (USA)

Emily Sonnett (USA)