Match Recap: OL Reign End the Regular Season Strong with 3-0 Win Over Kansas City
OL Reign (13-8-3) picked up their thirteenth win of the season against the Kansas City Current (3-14-7) in their last match of the regular season. This win secured the second-place finish for OL Reign, ending the season with a total of 42 points. The team will now host a NWSL semifinal match on November 14 at Cheney Stadium.
OL Reign started the match on the front foot, looking confident moving the ball around the field. The Tacoma-based team got a couple of quick chances on goal thanks to this combination play, but Kansas City goalkeeper AD Franch made a couple of great saves to keep the score level.
As the game progressed, Kansas City gained their footing, but OL Reign still largely controlled the match. The breakthrough goal came for OL Reign in the 35th minute of the match. Sofia Huerta drove up the flank to beat the Kansas City defense and played a curled ball into the back post. A Kansas City defender got the last touch on the ball, directing into the back of the net.
Though they had the lead, OL Reign was looking to find another. The team took 11 shots in the first half, directing three of the shots on target, but could not find a second goal before the end of the half.
At the start of the second half, OL Reign wasted no time in getting the goal scoring started. In the 48th minute, Megan Rapinoe served a corner kick into the box. Rose Lavelle was on the end of it, taking a touch to redirect the ball to the back post, where Eugénie Le Sommer was there to tap the ball into the back of the net.
Goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi was solid in the net for OL Reign. She picked up a knock early in the second half, needing medical treatment after taking a knee to the face. However, she was able to stay on the field and did not concede a goal throughout her time in the net.
Huerta continued to press forward, making easy work of the Kansas City defense. In the 64th minute of the match, OL Reign found a third goal thanks to a beautiful combination play. Dzsenifer Marozsán played a perfect ball through to Rapinoe, who put in a solid cross to the back post. Le Sommer was there to head the ball into the back of the net, earning her third brace of the season.
In the 89th minute, Phallon Tullis-Joyce subbed on for Sarah Bouhaddi to make her NWSL debut. After five minutes of stoppage time, the game ended and OL Reign ended the regular season with a strong 3-0 victory. With this win, OL Reign secured their spot in the NWSL semifinal on November 14, which will be hosted at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
With this win, OL Reign secured their second-place position in the NWSL standings
OL Reign goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce made her NWSL debut when she subbed on in the 89th minute
OL Reign forward Eugenie Le Sommer earned her third brace of the season with her two second half goals
OL Reign is hosting an NWSL semifinal match on November 14 at Cheney Stadium, as this match secured a first round bye