Sports stats



NWSL Seattle Reign FC

OL Reign Gets Back into the Win Column with Dominant Win over Chicago

June 23, 2021 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Seattle Reign FC News Release


TACOMA, WA. - OL Reign (2-3-1, 7 points) got back on track with a dominant 2-0 win over the Chicago Red Stars (2-3-2, 8 points) at Cheney Stadium on Tuesday evening. OL Reign was back at home for the first time since May 30, in front of a crowd of 2,518 for the intense battle.

OL Reign came to play, starting the game with a first minute goal from Shirley Cruz. Cruz half-volleyed a loose ball into the back of net from the top of the 18-yard box to give OL Reign the early lead, just 55 seconds into the match. The team continued to apply pressure to the Red Stars, eventually finding a second goal in the 18th minute. Sofia Huerta put a cross into the box and Bethany Balcer got her head on the end of it, doubling OL Reign's lead.

The Reign had 64.7% of possession in the first half and outshot Chicago seven to three. They also put in eight crosses compared to Chicago's two. OL Reign controlled the half until the whistle and headed to the locker up 2-0 on Chicago.

The second half maintained the fast pace of the first half with OL Reign commanding 62.1% of possession, but OL Reign goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi was called on to collect the ball a few times throughout the half. A flurry of subs from OL Reign, including Megan Rapinoe and Eugénie Le Sommer, who debuted for OL Reign, raised the tempo of the game. Though OL Reign were searching for a third, they were unable to find it.

In the final minutes of the match, Chicago Red Stars defender Bianca St. Georges was issued a second yellow card for a challenge on Sofia Huerta just outside the box and was sent off. Chicago played down a player for one minute before the final whistle sounded and OL Reign broke their three-game losing streak with a decisive 2-0 win. This win moved OL Reign to eighth place in the standings.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Shirley Cruz's goal in the 55th second of the match is the seventh fastest goal scored in the NWSL Regular Season and fastest ever OL Reign goal

Eugénie Le Sommer, on loan from Olympique Lyonnais, debuted for OL Reign

This is OL Reign's first win of the season by more than one goal

OL Reign earned its second shutout of the season with this 2-0 win

Sarah Bouhaddi earned her first shutout for OL Reign

OL Reign plays its next match this Saturday, June 26 at 1:00 p.m. PT against NJ/NY Gotham FC at Cheney Stadium.

MATCH SUMMARY

2021 NWSL Regular Season

OL Reign (2-3-1, 7 points) 0-1 Chicago Red Stars (2-3-2, 8 points)

Date/Time: Tuesday June 22, 2021, 7:00 p.m. PT

Location: Cheney Stadium, Tacoma, Washington

Weather: 73, Sunny

Scoring Summary

RGN: Cruz - 1', Balcer - 18'

CHI: None

Discipline

RGN: Balcer (Caution 25'), Marozsán (Caution 78'), McNabb (Caution 94')

CHI: Gorden (Caution 40'), St. Georges (Caution 46'), St. Georges (Second Caution 92')

Lineups

RGN: GK Bouhaddi, D Celia (McNabb 65'), D Cook, D Hiatt, D Hammond, M Cruz (Rapinoe 57'), M Quinn, M Fishlock ©, F Huerta, F Marozsán (Weatherholt 81'), F Balcer (Le Sommer 65')

Unused substitutes: GK Dederick, D Brooks, D Barnes, M Angelina, F Pruitt

Total Shots: 18 (Balcer - 4)

Shots on Goal: 7 (Cruz - 2)

Fouls: 11 (Cook, Fishlock - 2)

Offsides: 2 (Fishlock, Le Sommer - 1)

Corner Kicks: 2

Saves: 2 (Bouhaddi - 2)

CHI: GK Naeher, D St. Georges, D Sharples, D Davidson (Milazzo 46'), D Gorden, M Woldmoe (Watt 82'), M Stanton, M DiBernardo (Stevens 62'), F Johnson, F Doniak (Goralski 61'), F Mautz (Luebbert 61')

Unused substitutes: GK Miller, D Krueger, M Gautrat, F Hill

Total Shots: 8 (5 - Johnson)

Shots on Goal: 1 (1 - Johnson)

Fouls: 20 (5 - St. Georges)

Offsides: 3 (1 - 3 tied)

Corner Kicks: 5

Saves: 5 (Naeher - 5)

Officials

Referee: Danielle Chesky

Assistant Referees: Baboucarr Jallow, Salma Perez

Check out the Seattle Reign FC Statistics



National Women's Soccer League Stories from June 23, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central