OL Reign Down Under: Alana Cook

OL Reign defender Alana Cook and the United States Women’s National Team are set to begin their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign tonight at 6:00 p.m. PT against Vietnam. After years as a regular in OL Reign’s lineup, Cook has been called up to the United States Women’s National Team for her first-ever World Cup.

LEAGUE PLAY

Cook has been a staple in OL Reign’s backline since she joined the team on permanent transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. In her first season with the Reign, she played every minute of every match following her debut on June 19. She made 92 clearances and 23 blocks on defense, while adding 887 passes, three key passes and three shots for the Reign. For her incredible work in OL Reign’s backline, she earned a spot on the NWSL Best XI for the season.

In 2022, Cook was once again an essential part of the team’s lineup, playing all 90 minutes in 20 matches for OL Reign. She made 78 clearances, 14 blocks and 4 interceptions. She took five shots, two of which were on target, and recorded 730 successful passes for OL Reign. Her leadership in the backline helped OL Reign to win the NWSL Shield and another NWSL Best XI honor for her resume.

This season, Cook has started each of the 13 games she played in during the regular season, in addition to playing a full 90 in each game. She has made 38 clearances, 12 blocks and 28 interceptions this season, solidifying he spot as one of the top defenders in the league.

From her position at center back, Cook boasts 597 completed passes and a 70% success rate on duels. She has made nine key passes during the season and notched one assist in OL Reign’s match against Racing Louisville FC on April 29.

During the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup, the defender has made two appearances, both of which were starts. She has added six clearances and four interceptions during the tournament, as well as 85 successful passes and one key pass.

INTERNATIONAL

Defender Alana Cook has 25 caps with the United States since receiving her first call up on October 31, 2019. In her 25 caps, she has scored one goal and added two assists for the United States. This is her first World Cup.

Cook made her USWNT debut on November 10, 2019, against Costa Rica. In the match, the United States pulled off dominant 6-0 win to close out 2019. The match was head coach Vlatko Andonovski’s second-ever match as the team’s head coach.

In 2021, Cook played in three matches for the United States, contributing a full 90 minutes in each match. Across the three competitions, the U.S. went undefeated, giving up just one single goal, while scoring 10.

The Far Hills, New Jersey native amassed the bulk of her caps during 2022, starting in all 15 of her appearances for the Stars and Stripes. Her 1,286 minutes played in 2022 was more than any other player on the United States Women’s National Team. She served both of her career assists during 2022. Cook was an important part of the 2022 Concacaf W Championship squad, where the USWNT qualified for both the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Summer Olympics.

In 2022, she also earned her first-ever assists for the national team. In April 2022, she became the first USWNT defender to record multiple assists in a game since 2019, as she tallied two in the team’s 9-1 win over Uzbekistan.

This year, Cook has made six appearances for the national team leading up to the World Cup. In all of the matches Cook appeared in, the United States did not concede a single goal and managed to record 15 goals in their favor. The center back scored her first ever international goal, a game-winner, against the Republic of Ireland on April 11, 2023

Scored her first career goal, which proved to be the game-winner, on a long-distance strike on April 11, 2023, against the Republic of Ireland.