Pre-Match Notes: This isn’t going to be an easy match for OL Reign. Much like the Portland Thorns, the Courage is another midfield and attack-focused team. They like having possession, they like pressing with their attack, and they’re pretty sneaky with their passes, touches, and through balls behind the backline. However, the way the Orlando Pride was able to beat the Courage a couple of weeks ago was by being patient with their counterattacks and transitions, having good support in the backline, moving the ball through the midfield, and connecting in the midfield and attack.

When it comes to this match against the Courage, the Reign need to control the midfield. There also needs to be more urgency from our midfielders when it comes to pressure and winning back possession, especially in dangerous areas. On top of that, there needs to be support in the defense; however, I think the Reign have that area covered, provided that the backline and midfield don’t make silly mistakes near their box.

When it comes to the Reign attack, there has been a lack of cohesion and chemistry between the midfield, attack, and attacking players. I would like to see the Reign find their attacking rhythm again. I would like to see better connection in the attack and between the attacking players. Although I’m hopeful for the Reign, I also know this is going to be another tough match for them that can honestly go either way.

Line Up Notes:

4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. We have Claudia Dickey in the goal. For defenders, Pheobe McClernon, Alana Cook, Lu Barnes, and Shae Holmes. In the midfield and attack: Nicki Stanton, Emily Sonnett, Olivia Van Der Jagt, Jess Fishlock, Bethany Balcer, and Megan Rapinoe.

Interesting line-up. It’s important to note that Rose Lavelle and Sofia Huerta are both missing due to injury. Sofia Huerta received a hamstring injury during the last international break, and she had to leave the national team camp early. On the upside, McClernon is going to be playing as a right back for this match. I would like to see McClernon create some crosses and services for the Reign attack. In the Reign’s last match against the Portland Thorns, Huerta was creating some really good services for the Reign, and now against the Courage, that is something the Reign is needing to do more of. Holmes is in the backline as well. Much like Alana Cook, she has a really powerful kick, and I like her deep services into the box, along with her long passes up the wings. At the same time, she’ll be able to provide good support in the backline.

As for the midfield and attack, I think I would have started Veronica Latsko for her pace and drive in the attack, but at the same time, she is very effective off the bench. Bringing her on in the second half along with Jordyn Huitema, Angelina, or Tziarra King will also be good for the Reign attack. In general, all these players can get the job done, but the question is, will they be able to do it effectively?

First Half Notes:

OL Reign 1-1

It was a good first half for OL Reign until Alana Cook was shown a direct red card for taking out Courage player Kerolin from behind. Things were pretty balanced in this first half regarding the midfield. Most of the action was taking place in the midfield, and in and around the Reign box. The Reign, defensively, were doing really well. In the midfield, Sonnett was especially busy. She was all over the pitch, breaking up plays and passes, recovering balls, and putting pressure on the Courage midfield and attack. Overall, she has been solid in this first half. Before, I was unsure about having Sonnett play in the midfield, but she got better as the season went on, and now I really enjoy watching her.

The thing that I found frustrating about this half was the lack of drive and pressing in the attack. The attack is still having issues getting forward, and I was thinking throughout the first half, before Cook was sent off, how the Reign could change things up in the second half with substitutes like Huitema, Angelina, Latsko, King, or Bennett. Even though the Reign is now down to ten players, I think the Reign could still get on the attack in the second half. They’re going to have to be more cautious, but they have to keep possession and maintain some level of control if they want to build and create those chances for the attack.

Second Half/Closing Notes:

OL Reign Draws 1-1 to the North Carolina Courage.

That was quite the defending clinic from OL Reign. While it is disappointing that the Reign couldn’t get their attack off, it’s also understandable as they were down to ten players and needed to play with more caution. Despite being down to ten, the Reign did extremely well when it came to defending their box and goal. Sonnett dropped from the midfield to the backline, where she’s also comfortable playing as a center-back. There was great support in the backline from attacking players like Rapinoe, Balcer, Fishlock, Latsko, and Huitema. Dickey, while I was frustrated with her decision in the first half to come out of the box, which led to Kerolin’s goal, I have to give her credit where it’s due: Dickey had some great saves in this game and was able to hold things down in the goal. Overall, she had a good performance tonight.

OL Reign is said to have the best defense in the League, and we got to see that tonight in this match. It was a great defending clinic and performance from the Reign. Obviously, this isn’t the result the Reign wanted. Laura Harvey and the Reign definitely didn’t plan on losing Cook to a direct red card, but the team held on and maintained the 1-1 score-line. It deserves a well-done from me.