NWSL Seattle Reign FC

OL Reign Win Streak Snapped in Kansas City

Published on August 14, 2021 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Seattle Reign FC News Release


TACOMA, WA. - OL Reign (6-7-1) picked up a disappointing loss against Kansas City NWSL (1-9-4) in Laura Harvey's return as OL Reign's head coach at Legends Field in Kansas City. This loss broke OL Reign's three game win streak and was Kansas City's first win.

OL Reign got off to a slow start in Kansas City and spent a lot of the first half defending attacks from the home side. The Reign did not manage a single shot on target the entire half, while Kansas City found two, both of which OL Reign goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi saved.

In the 27th minute, Eugénie Le Sommer took a knock to the head and had to be subbed off a few minutes later due to her injury. Forward Tziarra King took her place up top. OL Reign had 57% of possession in the first half compared to Kansas City's 43%, but neither team was able to find the opening goal before halftime.

Kansas City dictated the tempo of the second half, though OL Reign still had the majority of the possession with 59.8%, but not in the areas of the field they wanted. OL Reign just could not connect with one another in the final third of the field. Things took a turn for OL Reign in the 73rd minute, when Kansas City midfielder Victoria Pickett capitalized on a free kick that made it through the Reign defense. Pickett shot the ball low and hard to the near post and it was enough to put Kansas City ahead.

Despite being down a goal, the Reign put together some quality passing sequences, but still could not find that final ball in the offensive third of the field. OL Reign's only attempt on target came in the 90th minute, when Sofia Huerta got her head to the ball, but it was an easy save for Kansas City goalkeeper Abby Smith.

OL Reign did not find the all-important equalizer and fell to a Kansas City side that had not yet picked up an NWSL win. The Reign will be back at Cheney Stadium next Saturday, August 21, when they take on NJ/NY Gotham FC.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

With this loss, OL Reign have moved into 7th place in the NWSL standings

This is OL Reign's first loss since July 18, when the team lost 3-1 to the Chicago Red Stars

This is Kansas City's first win of the NWSL season

Prior to this game, OL Reign was undefeated against Kansas City

MATCH SUMMARY:

2021 NWSL Regular Season

OL Reign (6-7-1, 19 points) 0-1 Kansas City NWSL (1-9-4, 7 points)

Date/Time: Saturday, August 14, 2021, 5:00 p.m. PT

Location: Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas

Weather: 78, Sunny

Scoring Summary

TEAM 1H 2H FT

OL Reign 0 0 0

Kansas City 0 1 1

RGN: None

KC: Pickett - 73'

Discipline

RGN: Cook (Caution - 45+2')

KC: Pickett (Caution - 27')

Lineups

RGN: GK Bouhaddi, D Celia (Hammond 65'), D Cook, D Hiatt, D Barnes ©, M Marozsán (Cruz 76'), M Weatherholt (McNabb 76'), M Fishlock (Pruitt 87'), F Le Sommer (King 35'), F Balcer (Angelina 65'), F Huerta

Unused substitutes: GK Tullis-Joyce, D Brooks, D Cox

Total Shots: 12 (Huerta - 4)

Shots on Goal: 1 (Huerta - 1)

Fouls: 11 (King - 3)

Offsides: 1 (Huerta - 1)

Corner Kicks: 3

Saves: 3 (Bouhaddi - 3)

KC: GK Smith, D Edmonds ©, D Ball, D Weber, D K. Pickett, M Bowen, M LABonta, M V. Pickett, F Mace, F Hamilton, F McCain

Unused substitutes: GK Rowland, D Miramontez, F Jenkins, M Vincent, F Vasconcelos, F Larroquette, D Del Fava, M Hess, F Silva

Total Shots: 16 (Hamilton - 6)

Shots on Goal: 4 (Hamilton - 2)

Fouls: 7 (K. Pickett - 2)

Offsides: 0

Corner Kicks: 3

Saves: 1 (Smith - 1)

Officials

Referee: Alex Billeter

Assistant Referees: Justin Howard, Shane Kennard

Check out the Seattle Reign FC Statistics

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