Match Forecast: Everything on the Line as OL Reign Takes on the Chicago Red Stars
OL Reign is set to play their final regular season match today at 2:00 p.m. in Chicago. With the season on the line, OL Reign will fight for their spot in the NWSL playoffs against the Red Stars this Decision Day.
WHEN AND WHERE: The Reign kickoffs at 2:00 p.m. PT at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois
WHERE TO WATCH: Fans can tune in to watch the match on Paramount+ in the United States while fans abroad will be able to watch on NWSLSoccer.com. Local fans can head to Rough & Tumble Pub in Ballard to watch the game.
2023 NWSL REGULAR SEASON RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): OL Reign: 8-8-5 (29 points, 6th place), Chicago Red Stars: 7-11-3 (24 points, 12th place)
Key Points Ahead of the Match:
1. LAST MEETING – The last time OL Reign and the Chicago Red Stars met was back in April of this season. In front of a home crowd at Lumen Field, the Reign scored five goals on Chicago to beat the team 5-2. Forward Bethany Balcer opened the scoring with back-to-back goals in the 15th and 20th minute to give OL Reign a solid lead to start. The Red Stars found a goal back in the first half, but midfielder Jess Fishlock responded with another goal in first half stoppage time, bringing the score to 3-1. As the second half began, Chicago scored almost immediately, but after an own goal and another from Fishlock, the Reign won 5-2 and scored the most goals in the single game in the head-to-head series.
“Obviously, we haven't played them since April and we beat them, 5-2, but you never felt like they were out of the game and I honestly think that's always been a Chicago Red Stars thing, they're very hardworking, blue-collar, really hard to break down, never-give-up mentality, they've always been that way, probably what I would say,” said OL Reign head coach Laura Harvey. “If you were to write their DNA out, that would be the first thing I think everyone who has ever played against Chicago or played for them would say that about their team. So, I think because of that mentality, it enables them to stay in games and they have good players on their team. I think across the board, the parity across the league is obviously very, very close and I think that's what's enabled them to stay in it for as long as they did and they stay in every game even when they know they're out of it."
2. SCOUTING CHICAGO – In the Red Stars most recent match, the team fell to the Kansas City Current by a score of 6-3. To start, the match was a back-and-forth affair, with the Current scoring the first goal of the match in the 14th minute. However, Chicago equalized in the 20th minute to level the game. The Current scored twice before the half was over, in the 22nd and 44th minutes, while allowing an own goal to keep Chicago in the match. After ending the first half 3-2, KC scored again in the 52nd minute, but Chicago answered with another goal of their own in the 63rd minute. To seal the match, the Current added two goals in stoppage time to beat the Red Stars by a score of 6-3. The Red Stars became the second NWSL team to both score three goals and lose by three goals in the same game. The six goals allowed were the most ever conceded by the Red Stars in NWSL play.
“Overall thoughts, I think, it's like we've realized this week how important it is and it's obviously super exciting because it's kind of similar to the Premier League where everybody is playing at the same time so you don't really know ahead of time, so I think that kind of gives a little more excitement because it's like, we have to go out and win, basically, and I think everybody knows that,” said OL Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey.
3. DECISION DAY – Only two teams have already secured their spot in the playoffs – San Diego Wave FC and Portland Thorns FC – both of which have also secured a first-round bye. With a total of six teams making the playoffs this season, the top four teams will host a home match. For OL Reign, there are three possible scenarios that see Lumen Field hosting a quarterfinal match:
A win against CHI+ WAS/NCC draw OR
A win against CHI + NJY draw/loss OR
A draw against CHI + ORL draw/loss + NJY loss + WAS win/loss + LA draw/loss + favorable GD
If none of the above scenarios play out, the Reign can clinch a playoff spot with any of the following scenarios:
A win against CHI OR
A draw against CHI + No more than 3 of NCC, NJY, WAS, ORL, LA, reach 31+ pts + favorable GD OR
A loss against CHI + ORL draw/loss + LA draw/loss + LOU draw/loss + favorable GD
MultiCare Availability Report:
OUT
None
QUESTIONABLE
Rose Lavelle (leg)