Bethany Balcer’s Standout Performance Earns Player of the Week Nomination
This weekend, OL Reign had an action-packed 5-2 win against the Chicago Red Stars, marking the team’s third consecutive win in the first four regular season games played. The essential three points boosted the Reign into second place in the NWSL standings. Forward Bethany Balcer, who has been with the Reign since her rookie season in 2019, had a noteworthy performance, scoring two goals and notching an assist on top of that, securing herself an NWSL Player of the Week nomination.
The tenacious forward scored the first two goals of the match in the 15th minute and the 20th minute, earning the second-fastest brace in the league for the season and setting the tone for the Reign’s dominate five-goal win. With her two goals, Balcer brought her season total to three goals in four regular season matches, which is tied for the most on the team with midfielder Jess Fishlock.
"I feel good. Individually, I felt like it went really well and then as a collective, I think we were trying some new things and it was good to put a product on the field where we scored five goals."
Her opening goal highlighted Balcer’s soccer intelligence, as she timed a run into the wide-open space in the middle of Chicago’s box, putting herself in the perfect position to one-time forward Veronica Latsko’s cut-back cross into the back of the net.
Doubling the Reign’s lead just five minutes later, Balcer once again beat Chicago’s defense. This time, Balcer was surrounded by two Chicago defenders in the box, but still managed to get her head on the end of the defender Lu Barnes’s cross as it looped into the middle of the 18-yard box.
Balcer recorded her first headed goal of 2023 NWSL season and her 10th all-time, which is tied for second in the league in headed goals since 2016. Since entering the league in 2019, no player has more headed goals.
"I just think I've really gained a lot of confidence in my role and what it looks like and I think one of those is just putting the ball in the back of the net. So, it's great when you have players out wide who can swing the ball in and obviously, I feel like I've been known for my heading abilities, so just making sure that what I'm good at is shown on the field and I think the teammates around me help me do that."
Balcer now has 25 goals all-time, which is tied for the second most in the league since she first entered the NWSL as an undrafted forward. Additionally, Balcer ranks second in the league in goals scored in 2023. Saturday’s brace marks the forward’s third of her career in the NWSL regular season and first since 2021.
In addition to her two goals in the match, Balcer earned as assist on Jess Fishlock’s 76th-minute goal. With that assist, Balcer became the first player to record at least two goals and one assist in the same game this season.
"I think just having four people on the frontline like we did, just made it harder for the other team to defend, so it opened up more opportunities for each of us as individuals and I feel like I just had to capitalize on my moments and that's what happened,” said Balcer. “The first goal, I was in more of a [No.] 10 role, so I was able to get that slipped ball back, which usually doesn't happen. So, I just feel like different opportunities were presented.”
Along with her goals and assist, Balcer also had a cinematic performance during the match – her celebrations. The forward noted that the league has really elevated their celebrations, so she had to do the same.
“If I see something cool done, either around the league or other leagues, it just kind of sparks my creativity. But yeah, Scott and I have kind of done a couple things together, so I think that will continue on and you just always have to be prepared for any celebration and all the goals."
For her outstanding performance, Balcer is nominated for NWSL Player of the Week and could win the award for the first time in her career. Vote here on Twitter before the poll closes at 7:36 p.m. PT.
"I mean, honored to be recognized but obviously, it was a team effort and I wouldn't have gotten that assist if Jess didn't put it in the back of the net. The other two [goals], I feel like, were set up great for me, so just doing my job and just enjoying the start of the season."
Coming off an excellent performance through a busy three-game week, OL Reign is set to take on Racing Louisville FC at 4:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, April 29. The last time the Reign played in Louisville was during the 2022 Women’s Cup, which resulted in a 2-1 win against Louisville in the final.
“I think we’ve put ourselves in a really good position so far, we’ve had a great start,” head coach Laura Harvey said. “I think our away form has been OK and we know that Louisville is a tough place to go to, so we’re going to have to put on a good performance and hopefully, we come away with a win.”
Fans can tune in to the match on Paramount+ or watch from Rough & Tumble Pub in Ballard.