OL Reign and Angel City draw 0-0 in Challenge Cup
OL Reign 0
Angel City FC 0
May 3, 2023
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Challenge Cup
Angel City FC journeyed up the coast to Seattle for a midweek NWSL Challenge Cup match Wednesday evening at Lumen Field. This was the second of the two cup matches between the teams with a league match in just a few weeks.
The midweek tilt being in the cup and not the league and in the middle of a three matches in eight days stretch for both sides meant a fair amount of squad rotation from the start. The hosts rotated in players like Laurel Ivory in the nets and regulars on all three lines, handing the armband to Sofia Huerta to be captain for the evening.
OL Reign had the three points from the match in LA in their pocket, placing them in good position early in the cup standings. Angel City came into the match at risk of being in a deep hole with little time if the results were the same on the evening.
The early going began as a fairly wide open match. Both clubs pushed forward, looking to strike quickly. It initially appeared that the guests would get on the board in the 8th minute, but Katie Johnson’s header was ruled offside. Seattle stormed right back with Tziarra King striking the crossbar moments later.
The brisk pace of play would continue throughout the first half, both clubs stretching the field long, looking to their speed up front and along the wings to try and break through early.
Jasmyne Spencer created numerous chances down the flank and Katie Johnson pressured the Reign central defense.
As the first half wound down, both clubs created chances, pressuring the defenses without breaking through.
King again nearly got the scoring going in the 43rd minute, but the Angel City defense manage to just deflect it wide for a corner.
Neither side could ultimately break through in the first 45, so the match went into the interval goalless.
Neither side changed their pressing to start the second half. Bethany Balcer came on and within moments created a chance Angel City keeper Brittany Isenhour did well to keep out of the net.
As the match remained level, the 60th minute began the wave of subs for both coaches.
Ryanne Brown cleared a header off the goalline in the 63rd with Angel City calling for review. The Reign would shortly bring on Jessica Fishlock, Jordyn Huitema, and Megan Rapinoe.
Fresh legs to the attack kept the pace of play brisk as both clubs were playing for the chance to be in a good place in the cup table after two matches.
Ivory was called on in the 83rd minute to come off her line when a soft back pass gave Savannah McCaskill a chance through. Then, moments later again when McCaskill managed a lovely far post shot Ivory had to dive high to her left to push wide.
A lot of action, nothing in the nets. For both defenses, this is a solid result as both clubs have been able to score regularly. They split points, leaving Angel City with a single cup point and the Reign with four after two matches.
A lot is made of the depth of NWSL squads. The Challenge Cup matches see squad rotation and are proving to be an early opportunity to see that depth in action at this stage of the season. With the cup throughout the season, often midweek, and with good prize money, the opportunity to get minutes for the roster but also to go for points will continue to be interesting to watch coaches juggle.
BOX
Scoring
RGN: None
ACFC: None
Discipline
RGN: None
ACFC: McCaskill (Caution – 79’)
Lineups
RGN: GK Ivory, D Huerta ©, D Hiatt, D Holmes, D Brown (Barnes 70’), M Canales (Fishlock 66’), M Stanton, M Athens (Huitema 75’), F Latsko (Balcer 46’), F Bennett, F King (Rapinoe 70’)
Unused substitutes: GK Dickey, D Cook, M Luany, D Malonson
Total Shots: 5 (King – 2)
Shots on Goal: 1 (Athens – 1)
Fouls: 6 (Six tied with– 1)
Offsides: 5
Corner Kicks: 2
Saves: 2 (Ivory – 2)
ACFC: GK Isenhour, D Spencer © (Weatherholt 74’), D Reid, D Nielsen (Gorden 59’), D Vignola (Riley 46’), M Hammond, M Nabet, M Le Bihan (McCaskill 63’), F Camberos, F Johnson, F Endo (Emslie 59’)
Unused substitutes: GK Haracic, GK Anderson, F Thompson
Total Shots: 9 (Endo, Gorden – 2)
Shots on Goal: 3 (Three tied with – 1)
Fouls: 7 (Johnson – 3)
Offsides: 3
Corner Kicks: 6
Saves: 1 (Isenhour – 1)
Referee: Adam Kilpatrick
Assistant Referee 1: Chris Canales
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Clerc
4th Official: Aidan Velasco
VAR: Chris Penso
AVAR: Joe McKell