All articles tagged with #ol reign
The 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft took place, with Bay FC surprising everyone by selecting players from OL Reign as their first pick. The draft highlighted the need for an updated mechanism, as teams made their selections from a pool of players from existing NWSL teams.
OL Reign has released their list of protected players for the NWSL Expansion Draft, including Bethany Balcer, Alana Cook, Claudia Dickey, Sofia Huerta, Jordyn Huitema, Veronica Latsko, Phoebe McClernon, Quinn, and Olivia Van der Jagt. The remaining players, including Lauren Barnes and Jess Fishlock, are available for selection. The Reign can lose up to two players in the draft, and the expansion clubs, Bay FC and Utah Royals, will have the opportunity to select players from the available pool. The draft will take place on December 15.
Megan Rapinoe's soccer career came to an abrupt end when she suffered a likely torn Achilles tendon just three minutes into the NWSL championship game. Despite the devastating injury, Gotham FC went on to win the title with a 2-1 victory over OL Reign. Rapinoe's teammate and close friend, Ali Krieger, also announced her retirement earlier this year and celebrated her first NWSL championship win. The match was marked by thrilling moments and a red card, but ultimately Gotham emerged victorious. The NWSL has seen growth in attendance and viewership, but faces competition from European leagues and a new U.S. circuit.
The 2023 NWSL championship will feature a match between OL Reign and NJ/NY Gotham FC, marking the final game for USWNT legends Megan Rapinoe and Ali Krieger. The match will be televised on CBS and livestreamed on CBSSports.com and Paramount+. The Reign finished the season 9-8-5, while Gotham FC went 8-7-7. Both teams have the opportunity to win their first championship.
Megan Rapinoe bids farewell to her soccer career in front of a record-breaking crowd of over 34,000 fans at Lumen Field. Despite not scoring a goal in her final game, Rapinoe expressed gratitude for the support and inspiration she has received throughout her career. The event highlighted the progress of the NWSL and the importance of Rapinoe's impact on and off the field. The OL Reign, with the help of a successful marketing push, broke the NWSL attendance record, but the challenge now is to maintain and capitalize on this momentum. Rapinoe's speech included a heartfelt message to her partner, Sue Bird, and their presence as a gay power couple has been affirming for fans and players. The night was filled with joy and celebration, as the team continues to strive for success in the playoff race.
Megan Rapinoe was honored at her last regular season home game for OL Reign in front of a record NWSL crowd of 34,130 as she nears retirement. The Seattle-based club has been Rapinoe's home since 2013, and she has witnessed the growth of the sport during her career. Fans showed their appreciation with pink wigs and homemade signs, while notable figures contributed to a tribute video. Rapinoe's legacy as a double World Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist extends beyond her sporting success, as she has been an advocate for various social issues throughout her career.
Retiring soccer star Megan Rapinoe was honored by her club team, OL Reign, in front of a record-breaking National Women's Soccer League crowd of 34,130 fans. Rapinoe, known for her activism and achievements on and off the field, played her final regular-season home game for the Reign in a scoreless draw against the Washington Spirit. The event was marked by pink wigs worn by many fans in her honor, and a video featuring well-wishes from notable figures. Rapinoe expressed gratitude for the support and reflected on her impactful career, which included two World Cup titles, an Olympic gold medal, and numerous accolades.
Megan Rapinoe reflects on her time with the OL Reign (formerly Seattle Reign) ahead of her final regular season home game with the team. Despite initial reservations, Rapinoe quickly felt at home with the Reign and achieved on-field success, winning multiple NWSL Shields. As she prepares to say goodbye to her team, she hopes to secure a postseason berth and challenge for the NWSL championship. Rapinoe also reflects on her activism and the growth of women's sports, noting the progress made in the NWSL and the positive impact she and her generation have had.
OL Reign has transferred goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce to Manchester United for a record fee of nearly $160,000, breaking the previous goalkeeper transfer record. Tullis-Joyce, who joined OL Reign in 2021, leaves the club with 47 appearances and the all-time record for clean sheets. The transfer comes as a surprise, as Tullis-Joyce was recently dropped as the starting goalkeeper. OL Reign currently has two goalkeepers on their roster, Claudia Dickey and Laurel Ivory.
OL Reign forward Bethany Balcer criticizes the scheduling and national broadcast time slots of the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup, stating that the league is making the same mistakes as in previous years. Balcer expresses frustration that if her team advances to the final, they won't be able to host the game in Seattle due to the fixed CBS time slot. She suggests putting the game on YouTube for better exposure and views. Balcer highlights the challenges faced by the top seed, including traveling across the country to play a team they should be hosting. The NWSL Challenge Cup is running concurrently with the regular season and is expected to be scrapped in 2024.
The Portland Thorns defeated the OL Reign 2-0 in a statement victory on Saturday at Lumen Field, returning to the top of the NWSL standings. Sophia Smith scored the first goal in the 17th minute, followed by Christine Sinclair's goal in the 87th minute. The Thorns' defense held strong against the Reign's aggressive high press, and goalkeeper Bella Bixby made a crucial save in stoppage time to secure the clean sheet. This was the Thorns' first-ever victory at Lumen Field and first win on the road at the Reign since 2017.
OL Reign will face Portland Thorns in NWSL play on Saturday night. Both teams are level on points with 16 each and are just one point out of first place. The match will air on CBS Sports Network and will kick off at 5 PM. Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver will be the players to watch for Portland, while the Reign will need to focus on their movement in the attack and set pieces. Join the discussion in the comments and follow @RoValks on Twitter for live updates.