Match Recap: OL Reign Clinches Top Seed in UKG NWSL Challenge Cup with Draw Against Portland
OL Reign (4-0-2, 14 points, 1st place) clinched the top seed in the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup with their scoreless draw against Portland Thorns FC (2-3-1, 7 points, 3rd place). Their solid home performance in front of a record-breaking crowd of 12,061 boosted the team to 14 points in the Challenge Cup group stage and pushed their Challenge Cup unbeaten streak to 15 matches.
OL Reign was the better team in the first half, with forward Tziarra King getting the attack started with her shot in the third minute of the match. The Reign continued to test Portland’s backline, creating opportunities from all over the field.
The team did well to utilize their width, resulting in a 13th minute cross into the box from forward Veronica Latsko. The cross found forward Bethany Balcer’s head in front of goal, but Balcer’s shot went just over the bar, sending a warning sign to the visitors.
In the 25the minute, Latsko’s skill was on display once again as she cut the ball back to beat her defender before dribbling into the box then firing off a shot. The shot had Shelby Hogan beat in goal for Portland, but the far post kept it out of the back of the net and preserved the 0-0 score line.
After halftime, OL Reign made a series of changes, rotating squad as they have in previous Challenge Cup matches. The team remained solid defensively, holding Portland to just one shot on target through the entire match.
Substitute forward Elyse Bennett had a chance on goal in the 61st minute after the ball was loose in Portland’s box, but her shot was tipped off the near post. In the 68th minute, the Reign had another chance, but Latsko’s top of the box shot went just wide.
In stoppage time, the Reign had one last chance when midfielder Olivia Van der Jagt intercepted a Portland pass and started the attack for OL Reign. She combined with midfielder Natalie Viggiano, who took a shot that missed the frame of goal.
At the final whistle, the rivals drew 0-0. The point OL Reign earned was enough to clinch the top seed in the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup and secure a home semifinal match, which will played on Wednesday, September 6 at 7:00 p.m. PT. Tickets for the match go on sale to the public at 10:00 a.m. PT on Tuesday, August 8.
Key Facts:
· KEEPERS KEEP OUT: OL Reign earned its seventh consecutive clean sheet in Challenge Cup play, dating back to the semifinals of the 2022 tournament. OL Reign has two goalkeepers in this year’s tournament with multiple clean sheets (Claudia Dickey – 3, Laurel Ivory – 3) and is the only team to not concede a goal in 2023.
· Additionally, OL Reign extended its league record for shutouts in Challenge Cup play to 13.
· NO CHALLENGES HERE: OL Reign extended its unbeaten streak in the Challenge Cup to 15 games, a streak that dates to April 21, 2021 and ties the league record with North Carolina.
· WE OWN THE WEST: With today’s win, OL Reign clinched the top overall seed for the Challenge Cup playoffs. OL Reign has never lost to any of the three teams in the West division during Challenge Cup play since it started in 2022, outscoring Angel City FC, Portland Thorns FC and San Diego Wave FC for a combined 18-5.
UP NEXT: OL Reign plays the Kansas City Current on Friday, August 18 at 5:00 pm. PT. the match will be available to stream on Paramount+.
MATCH SUMMARY
2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup
OL Reign 0 – 0 Portland Thorns FC
Date/Time: Sunday, August 6, 3:00 p.m. PT
Location: Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington
Weather: 74, Sunny
Scoring Summary
RGN: None
POR: None
Discipline
RGN: None
POR: None
Lineups
RGN: GK Ivory, D Brown (Hiatt 46’), D Holmes, D McClernon, D Malonson (Barnes 62’), M Canales, M Stanton (Van der Jagt 46’), M Athens (Viggiano 87’), F Latsko, F Balcer © (Bennett 46’), F King
Unused substitutes: GK Dickey, M Fitzgerald, F Weinert, F Edwards
Total Shots: 11 (Bennett, Latsko – 3)
Shots on Goal: 3 (Three tied with – 1)
Fouls: 3 (Bennett – 2)
Offsides: 0
Corner Kicks: 2
Saves: 1 (Ivory – 1)
POR: GK Hogan, D Klingenberg, D Menges (Nally 64’), D Hubly, D Kuikka, M Porter (Provenzano 70’), M Coffey ©, M Moultrie, F Vasconcelos (Beckman 63’), F Betfort (Weaver 80’), F D’Aquila (Walker 64’)
Unused substitutes: GK Bixby, D/M Reyes, D McGrady, D Morrison
Total Shots: 8 (Vasconcelos – 3)
Shots on Goal: 1 (Moultrie– 1)
Fouls: 4 (Four tied with – 1)
Offsides: 2
Corner Kicks: 2
Saves: 3 (Hogan– 3)
Player of the Match: Bethany Balcer
Referee: Matthew Corrigan
Assistant Referee 1: Salma Perez
Assistant Referee 2: Jacob Little
4th Official: Hunter Zachwieja
VAR: Hunter Zachwieja
AVAR: Tony Obas