OL Reign Announces Challenge Cup Playoff Scenarios
OL Reign drew 1-1 against San Diego Wave FC yesterday, Saturday, April 23, to round out the team’s electric performance throughout the Challenge Cup group stage. OL Reign went undefeated through the group stage of the Challenge Cup and had the most wins in 2022, with four wins, two draws and zero losses. This clinches OL Reign’s top seed position going into the semifinals.
The Reign also dominated, earning the best goal differential of any team in the 2022 Challenge Cup group stage, with eleven goals scored and five goals conceded. Forward Bethany Balcer led the team in goal scoring, with two goals. The remaining nine goals were scored by nine different players. Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce made 19 saves and took home Save of the Week honors in three of the four weeks of the group stage. Midfielder Angelina lead the team in assists, with two.
As per the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup rules, OL Reign earned home field advantage in the Challenge Cup semifinals on May 4th.
However, Lumen Field is already set to host a Seattle Sounders match on that day. This match is sure to be historic for the City of Seattle, as the Sounders take on Pumas UNAM in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions League Final. OL Reign supports the Sounders and wishes them luck in their quest to become the first MLS team to win the Concacaf Champions League.
Despite the best efforts of the club to find an alternate solution to retain a home field advantage, the semifinal match between OL Reign and the Washington Spirit will be played at Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia on Wednesday, May 4.
If OL Reign defeats Washington in the semifinal match, the team will host the NWSL Challenge Cup final at Lumen Field on Saturday, May 7 at 10 am PT (and the regular season game against Louisville on May 8 will then be rescheduled to a later date). This momentous, must-see match could see OL Reign earn their first ever Challenge Cup title. Tickets to the match will be just $15 for the entire stadium, with the exception of premium seats. This special ticket offer allows a maximum number of fans to experience this historic day and cheer on OL Reign to bring another title to Seattle.