Match Forecast: OL Reign Set to Play for the NWSL Championship against NJ/NY Gotham FC
OL Reign is set to play in the NWSL Championship match against NJ/NY Gotham FC tonight at 5:00 p.m. PT at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. The entire season comes down to tonight, as the team will battle for their first-ever NWSL Championship.
WHEN AND WHERE: The Reign kickoffs at 5:00 p.m. PT at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California
WHERE TO WATCH: Fans can tune in to watch the match on CBS or Paramount+ or attend a watch party in Western Washington!
2023 NWSL PLAYOFF SEED: OL Reign: 4th seed, NJ/NY Gotham FC: 6th seed
Key Points Ahead of the Match:
1. LAST MEETING – The last time OL Reign and Gotham FC met was May of this season, where Gotham defeated the Reign 4-1 at Lumen Field. OL Reign forward Jordyn Huitema scored the Reign’s lone goal of the match in the 77th minute. Prior to that match, the Reign posted a dominate 2-0 at Gotham’s home field, with midfielder Jess Fishlock and forward Bethany Balcer getting on the score sheet.
All-time, OL Reign has 12 wins against Gotham, compared to Gotham’s eight wins across the series and the seven draws between the two teams. OL Reign has scored a total 41 goals against Gotham and conceded 35.
“I think both teams are honestly pretty different to who we were then. I think for us, I've said this a lot, I don't think we've really had that momentum shifting moment throughout the season. I think the Gotham game at home was a wakeup call for us honestly,” said OL Reign head coach Laura Harvey.
She continued, “Since then, even though we may not have won every game, we’ve given ourselves a chance to win games. Obviously, at the back end of the season, we’ve got a little bit of momentum and we've showed a lot of grit and determination. We haven't played the most beautiful football the whole time but we've been effective in the areas that we need to be.”
2. SCOUTING GOTHAM FC – Much like OL Reign, Gotham made it to the NWSL Championship by advancing through the quarterfinals and semifinals. In the quarterfinal, Gotham FC took on the North Carolina Courage and defeated the team 2-0 at their home field. After that, they advanced to take on the Portland Thorns, once again playing on the road. In a dramatic match that went into extra time, Gotham FC won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Katie Stengel in 107th minute of the match.
“We’re staying in our routine and staying focused, and executing. We deserve to be here. We’re a great team. I mean every year I say this is going to be the year, and I think we talked about having a healthy roster and being able to find that balance between being here, being focused and making sure we execute. I think our team has done that very well this week,” said OL Reign captain and defender Lauren Barnes.
3. THIS IS IT – OL Reign will battle for their first-ever NWSL Championship tonight after previously appearing in the Championship match twice. This match will also mark the final match of Reign legend Megan Rapinoe’s illustrious career. With every OL Reign player healthy and available for the match, the stage is set, and the Reign are determined to bring a championship home to Seattle.
"We’re just trying to enjoy and soak the moment in. This is what you do everything for. This is the whole point of the season, so we are really just trying to embrace this moment,” said OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe.
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