Olympic Recap: OL Reign Players Shine in Game Day 2 of Olympics

On the second matchday of the 2020 Olympic group stage, all five OL Reign players had the opportunity to take the field for their countries. Rose Lavelle and Megan Rapinoe started for the United States, while Quinn, Momiki and Angelina subbed in for Canada, Japan and Brazil. Rose Lavelle scored a goal for the United States and Angelina made her Olympic debut for Brazil. 

Each team has one more group stage match to play before the top two teams in each group, as well as the best two third place teams, move onto the quarterfinals. 

New Zealand vs. United States 

The United States got back to their winning ways against New Zealand in a 6-1 victory that featured both Rose Lavelle and Megan Rapinoe. 

In a quick start for the United States, Rose Lavelle scored their first goal of the 2020 Olympic Games in the ninth minute of the match, after a nice through ball from Tobin Heath to a running Lavelle and a powerful strike to the near post. Following the opening goal, the United States struggled to get a second on the board, while New Zealand opted to sit back and absorb pressure from the United States. New Zealand’s backline did well to hold their position, as the U.S. had four goals called back on offside calls before Lindsey Horan netted a second goal at the 45-minute mark for the U.S. just before halftime. 

In the 63rd minute, New Zealand conceded an own goal to put the United States up 3-0. Just when it seemed like New Zealand were out of the game, Betsy Hasset capitalized on sloppy defensive work from the United States and scored a goal back for New Zealand. 

Determined to continue their offensive efforts, Christen Press and Alex Morgan each put one in the back of the net to give the U.S. a 5-1 lead. In stoppage time, New Zealand conceded another own goal to boost the United States’ win to 6-1. 

Chile vs. Canada 

Canada and Chile started out evenly matched in the second group stage game of the 2020 Olympics, but Canada quickly found a rhythm that allowed them to take control of the match and pick up a 2-1 win. OL Reign midfielder Quinn did not start but subbed on in the 61st minute of the match for Julia Grosso. 

In the 17th minute, Canadian forward and captain Christine Sinclair drew a foul in the box and Canada was awarded a penalty kick after video review. Forward Janine Beckie stepped up to the spot to take the kick, but her shot hit the post. Still tied 0-0, both teams looked to find the opening goal 

Before halftime, Canada’s Beckie found a chance to redeem herself. Chile goalkeeper Christiane Endler saved a cross from forward Nichelle Prince, knocking the ball into the 18-yard box. Beckie was waiting and capitalized on the opportunity, putting the ball into the back of the net in the 38th minute. 

Following the halftime break, Canada defender Ashley Lawrence played a beautiful through ball to Beckie, who took a touch past Endler and scored her second goal in the 47th minute. Just ten minute later, Chile found their only goal of the match on a penalty kick awarded by video review, taken by midfielder Karen Araya. 

Japan vs. Great Britain 

In a close game, Japan fell 1-0 to Great Britain on a goal from Ellen White. OL Reign forward Nicole Momiki did not start but subbed on in the 55th minute for Yuzuho Shiokoshi. 

In the first half, Japan was causing plenty of issues for the Great Britain side with their creative movement off the ball, though neither team had any incredible opportunities on goal. Following halftime, the tempo of the game picked up and Great Britain began to find more chances on goal. 

Great Britain scored the only goal of the match in the 74th minute, when defender Lucy Bronze crossed a ball into the box and forward Ellen White beat Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita to the ball to head it home. 

Netherlands vs. Brazil 

OL Reign midfielder Angelina made her Olympic debut for Brazil in the team’s 3-3 draw against the Netherlands. Angelina subbed in at the start of the second half for Duda. 

The Netherlands took the lead early after a third minute shot from Vivianna Miedema found the bottom right corner of the goal. Brazil did not back down though. Debinha found an equalizer for Brazil in the 16th minute, finding the left corner of the net after her initial shot was blocked. The teams remained tied 1-1 until halftime. 

Miedema scored another goal in the 59th minute, retaking the lead for the Netherlands with a header goal. Brazil came back yet again, when Marta capitalized on a penalty kick in the 65th minute. Less than five minutes later, Ludmila who came on as a substitute at halftime, scored for Brazil, putting the team in front for the first time all match. However, Netherland’s Dominique Janssen converted a freekick in the 79th minute to tie the game 3-3. 

Updated Group Standings 

All teams have played two games. 

Group E 

1. Great Britain (6 points, +3 goal differential) 

2. Canada (4 points, 1 goal differential) 

3. Japan (1 point, -1 goal differential) 

4. Chile (0 points, -3 goal differential) 

Group F 

1. Netherlands (4 points, +7 goal differential) 

2. Brazil (4 points, +5 goal differential) 

3. China (1 points, -5 goal differential) 

4. Zambia (1 points, -7 goal differential)  

Group G 

1. Sweden (6 points, +5 goal differential) 

2. USA (3 points, +2 goal differential) 

3. Australia (3 points, -1 goal differential) 

4. New Zealand (0 points, -6 goal differential)  

Up Next 

Tuesday, July 27 

1:00 a.m. PT – United States (Lavelle, Rapinoe) vs. Australia 

4:00 a.m. PT – Chile vs. Japan (Momiki) 

4:00 a.m. PT – Canada (Quinn) vs. Great Britain 

4:30 a.m. PT – Brazil (Angelina) vs. Zambia