Line Up:

4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. We have Claudia Dickey in the goal. For defenders Sofia Huerta, Alana Cook, Sam Hiatt, and Lauren Barnes. In the midfield we have Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, and Quinn. For forwards Olivia Van Der Jagt, Tziarra King, and Jordyn Huitema.

Before this line up dropped, Harvey announced the Reign team is healthy, and everyone is back. Jess Fishlock, Megan Rapinoe, Angelina, Bethany Balcer, Elyse Bennett, Veronica Latsko, all available from the bench. Most likely, we’ll see some of them in the second half.

When it comes to this lineup, it’s great to see Claudia Dickey as the starting goalkeeper in tonight’s match. She is one of the backup goalkeepers to Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Dickey, and her fellow keeper, Laurel Ivory, were both able to get playtime in the challenge cup, so I’m looking forward to seeing how Dickey does in this match. Of course, Tullis-Joyce is also available on the bench if needed.

We have Lavelle back in the midfield. It’s going to be interesting to see how she fits back in with the team, especially since she’s been out due to injury since April. Working her back into the Reign attack could allow for more drive and press in the Reign attack.

When it comes to Sonnett, I was critical of her playing in the midfield in the Reign’s past games, mainly because she kept getting outpaced, and would often turn over the ball in dangerous areas. However, I liked her in the midfield during the the U.S.’s World Cup match against Sweden. I thought she did really well playing there, so I want to see how she’ll do back in the Reign midfield.

In the Reign’s last match against the Kansas City Current, the Reign team was struggling with disconnection and disjointedness in their midfield and attack. Because of that, I’m really hoping to see better movement in the midfield with Quinn, Sonnett, and Lavelle, and hopefully better connection and press in the attack. I’m especially excited for tonight’s game, mainly because everyone is back, and injury free, especially since players like Lavelle and Angelina were out for a long time due to injuries. I’m looking forward to both of them getting more minutes. With everyone back and healthy, this could be a really good match.

First Half Notes:

Angel City 1-0

First Half Goal Scorers:

Angel City: Le Bihan (13′)

The Reign backline and defense is doing well. They’re hanging in there just fine, but honestly, the Reign attack just isn’t threatening enough. They haven’t been threatening during this whole half. There’s been some moments where they were dangerous outside the Angel City box, but they weren’t creating good enough chances. Movement and control in the midfield has been all right. It’s not totally bad, but it’s also not great. Lavelle has been doing a great job at getting the ball forward, and making runs towards the box, however, the connection in the attack, and the connection in and around the box, isn’t there yet. There needs to be more drive and press in the Reign attack, more chances created for the attacking players, and better control in the midfield.

For the second half, I won’t be surprised if Harvey sends in Rapinoe and Fishlock. Bennett or Latsko could also be good in the attack too. The Reign is needing to be more aggressive and direct with their attack, so getting players who can help work the ball through the midfield, and put pressure on Angel City, will be good for the second half. I’m expecting a change of pace in the Reign attack for the second half. Usually, this is where the team takes it up a notch.

Second Half/Closing Notes

Final Score: OL Reign lose 2-1.

The goal scorers in the match were:

OL Reign: Rapinoe (74′) Penalty

Angel City FC: Le Bihan (13′), Hammond (57′).

Another disappointing loss for the Reign in what can be called, a tale of two halves. The Reign midfield and attack was a lot better in the second half. There was better control, movement, and touches in the midfield. There was better movement, drive and urgency in the attack. The connection in the attack, and between the attacking players was a lot better then the first half. There were also more chances being created in the second half, rather than the first. The Reign were definitely playing better in this second half, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough for the Reign to comeback and tie it up, like we so often see.

What the Reign team needs to do in their upcoming games is play with more urgency and be an attacking threat early on in the first half. This second half was drastically different from the first, because the Reign were keeping possession, working the ball through the midfield, and were maintaining their attack. They were putting Angel City under a lot pressure and were causing problems for their backline. What the Reign was doing in the first half of this match, sitting back, and just allowing Angel City to come at them, isn’t working. The Reign is better when they’re on the move, and going forward, they need to move, press, and be on the attack.

While this second loss is disappointing for the Reign team, and fans, the Reign will eventually get back to where they need to be, and return to their winning ways.