Pre-Match Notes: The 2023 NWSL Regular season has come to a dramatic close. Now, it is time for the Championship playoffs, where we’ll see six teams battling for the NWSL Championship. In this fierce quarterfinal match, OL Reign will be facing Angel City FC for a semifinal spot. The Reign has a tough battle ahead of them against this Angel City side, that was able to put away five goals past the Portland Thorns last Sunday, but no doubt, Laura Harvey and the Reign will be up for the challenge.

When it came to the Reign’s last regular season match against the Chicago Red Stars, the Reign needed to win against the Red Stars in order to move onto the playoffs. I was kind of worried about the Reign not scoring in the first half. But then Megan Rapinoe and Jess Fishlock started scoring goals in the second half, and OL Reign were able to come away with a 3-0 win.

When it comes to Angel City, though, I believe the Reign needs to put this game away as early as possible because, in their final match of the regular season, Angel City was able to win 5-1 against the Portland Thorns, in what had to be goalkeeper Bella Bixby’s worst match of the season. The Reign should be alright defensively. I don’t think they’ll let the score-line get that high. However, an issue the Reign were having in their past matches had to do with the connection between the midfield and attack, and the connection in the attack and in the box. There would be moments where the team would look disjointed and disconnected, with no attacking rhythm whatsoever.

When it comes to this match, the Reign needs to find that connection and rhythm in the attack. On top of that, there needs to be better control and stability in the midfield as well. The Reign cannot and should not wait until the second half to up their attack and score goals. The Reign needs to overwhelm Angel City as much as possible. Kind of what I keep saying about VfL Wolfsburg, I want to see more from the Reign attack. I want to see more services, more connection in the attack, and more attempts on goal. I want to see all this early on from the Reign in the first half because when it comes to Angel City, they have shown that they have players who can and will score. It’s not a matter of how, but when.

Line Up Notes

Starting Eleven: We have Claudia Dickey in the goal. For defenders, Sofia Huerta, Alana Cook, Lu Barnes, and Pheobe McClernon. In the midfield and attack: Emily Sonnett, Quinn, Jess Fishlock, Veronica Latsko, Jordyn Huitema, and Megan Rapinoe.

Overall, it’s a good lineup. I believe the backline and defense will be alright in this match. Claudia Dickey has also been improving in goal as well. I like this midfield of Sonnett, Quinn, and Fishlock. There’s good control and stability in the midfield with Sonnett and Quinn, but at the same time, Fishlock and Sonnett will also be pressing with the attack. It’s great to see Latsko starting. She’ll provide great press and drive in the attack.

The biggest question I still have is, will the Reign team be able to get their attack forward? Will the midfield and attack be able to connect where it counts? It’s going to be interesting to see how the Reign are going to execute their attack and if they’ll be able to execute it effectively.

First Half Notes

OL Reign 0-0.

It’s not a bad first half from the Reign, but it kind of looks like the Reign’s previous matches. The backline and defense are doing well. As always, there’s great support in the defense. Dickey also had some good saves in this half as well. However, there’s not much control and stability in the Reign midfield. The Reign attack has been able to get forward, and when they do, there are good crosses and services, but I want to see more from the attack. I want to see more crosses and services from players like Huerta, Latsko, Rapinoe, and Fishlock, but in order for the Reign to create more of those chances in the attack, they have to have better possession and control of the midfield. At the same time, the Reign needs to be more aggressive and direct with their attack.

The Reign are considered a “second half team,” and usually they tend to kick into high gear in the second half. If the Reign want to win this match and move onto the semifinals, they have to start getting their attack forward and creating more chances.

Second Half/Closing Notes

OL Reign Wins 1-0.

At first, I thought this match was going to go into extra time, but Latsko’s goal in the 87th minute sealed Angel City’s fate and sends the Reign through.

This second half was a lot better for the Reign. There was more pressing and drive in the attack, and better control, movement, and possession in the midfield. I was a little concerned when Quinn was subbed off for Rose Lavelle, but Sonnett was doing well at controlling the midfield; she had some good touches and recoveries. Lavelle coming in was a good attacking change for the Reign. Despite coming back from injury, Lavelle looked great in this game. She was great on the ball, and good with her runs, dribbles, and counters. Rapinoe and Fishlock were able to get forward more in this second half, and like Lavelle, they were doing well on the counter and in the attack.

Defensively, the Reign were great. That is to be expected. They shut down Angel City’s crosses and locked down their goal in the final few minutes. I especially like the support in the defense because it really hindered Angel City. Angel City was creating some good crosses and touches into the Reign box, but they couldn’t get past the Reign backline. Barnes especially came up big with some important tackles.

Overall, this was a great win for the Reign, and they will be moving onto the Semifinals where they’ll face the San Diego Wave.