Match Forecast: OL Reign Takes on Angel City FC in NWSL Quarterfinal Match

OL Reign is set to play their first-ever quarterfinal match against the visiting Angel City FC. Everything is on the line in this match, as the winner advances to the NWSL semifinal match. 

WHEN AND WHERE: The Reign kickoffs at 7:00 p.m. PT at Lumen Field in Seattle, WA

WHERE TO WATCH: Fans can tune in to watch the match on Paramount+ in the United States while fans abroad will be able to watch on NWSLSoccer.com. Fans can still get tickets to attend the match in person HERE

2023 NWSL Playoff Seed: OL Reign: 4th seed, Angel City FC: 5th seed 

Key Points Ahead of the Match: 

1. LAST MEETING – The last time OL Reign and Angel City FC met was at BMO Stadium on August 27. In the match, Angel City picked up their first ever win against the Reign with goals from Clarisse Le Bihan and Madison Hammond. For OL Reign, only Megan Rapinoe scored a goal, leaving the team with a 2-1 deficit. 

All-time against Angel City, OL Reign has only lost once. The teams have one draw between them, but in the six other meetings, OL Reign has come out on top. Five of the matches have included at least three goals combined, while the remaining three games all featured a clean sheet from the Reign. In addition, OL Reign has outscored Angel City 16 to seven in all meetings, with 11 of the goals coming in the second half. 11 players on OL Reign’s active roster have scored against Angel City FC across all competitions. Forward Veronica Latsko, who finished the season tied for third on the team in goals scored (4), leads the all-time series in goals, with three. 

“I think that because of the situation we were in in the league, we've sort of known every game has had weight on it and then tomorrow, this is what we've been grinding it for - to get to this stage and now, let's go out and perform at the level that we know we can. We showed that last week. Let's use that, let's use that momentum, that vibe to keep pushing so that all the stuff that we put on ourselves over this past month or so, we get the reward of that by putting on a performance that we know we can do,” said OL Reign head coach Laura Harvey. 

2. SCOUTING ACFC – In Angel City’s most recent match, they claimed a dominant 5-1 victory over the Portland Thorns in a crucial game. Five different Angel City players notched goals in the match. Two goals were scored in the first half of the match, while ACFC’s remaining three goals, as well Portland’s lone goal, were scored in the second half. 

Since Angel City’s interim head coach Becki Tweed took charge of the team, they have lost just one match across 11 league matches played, also tallying six wins and four draws. The team enters this match on a two-game win streak. 

“I think, obviously, since the coaching change, they've been on a roll. They like to play. They play very expansively and create opportunities a lot, which they obviously took their chances last week. We play them a lot because we play them in the Challenge Cup too, so they're a familiar opponent to us and we know that they have threats everywhere, but we also know that if we can be disciplined in the things that we like to take care of, then we can also cause them a problem,” said Harvey. 

3. ALL ON THE LINE – This is a must-win match for the Reign, as the winner will move on to the NWSL semifinal and the loser will end their 2023 NWSL season. Recently, the team has played consecutive matches with playoff implications, so they are mentally prepared to step into a big match, and determined to get a result. 

“It's huge for us. Obviously, this is the most important game of the season, now. This is the only thing that we're focused on. It's obviously one of our goals every year just to get in the playoffs, so you always want to be in the hunt and have a chance in this part of the season. So, we feel really proud about that and really excited about that and then it's just about putting a good performance out there and just kind of leaving everything out there,” said OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe. 

“I think that would be my message to the team, just enjoy it. This is the best part of the season. This is the best part of even being a professional athlete is to play in meaningful games. So, just for us to enjoy it, hopefully have a great crowd tomorrow and a great atmosphere and looking forward to keeping the season going.” 

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