This is Jeff of the GoalieGuys. 45 years ago my family attended the Sounders v Timbers 1976 NASL opener at this site in the former building. I was 8. Geoff Hurst scored the only goal in extra time.
This coming Sunday is a double header of the modern Sounders and Timbers with the NWSL OL Reign and Portland Thorns making it a Cascadia doubleheader.
OL Reign reset begins as Laura Harvey retakes the reins.
Laura Harvey took Seattle Reign FC to two NWSL Shields and Two NWSL Championship matches in her first run with what is now OL Reign.
She coached the startup Reign club for five seasons, leading it from a sluggish start to a club that challenged for trophies. At the end of the 2017 season, she left to pursue other options. Her shock departure from the club, still then in Seattle and with a loaded roster of talent, was a move that led her to another startup in Utah and international coaching opportunity. The club had moved on, but much of a veteran core remained in place.
When the Reign coaching position became open recently, Harvey was not immediately commented on as a likely return to the club. Yet, after a couple short weeks under the helm of her former assistant Sam Laity, Harvey takes back a club full of promise, but lacking in points and success on the season.
The Reign have used the word “Bold” in much of their media and promotional materials throughout their existence. In bringing back Harvey, with a core of veterans and international talent and much of a season to play, this could very well end up being the case.
Although in 9th place in the standings as of taking charge after Laity’s final interim match, the actual gap in the standings from 4th to 9th is 6 points. There is a great cluster in the middle of the standings and a few three point results could quickly make up the ground.
Coach Harvey has commented about being a different coach and the journey she has gone on since leaving the club. There is a real chance to right the ship this season should a winning run of even a few matches move the club up the standings. With returning Olympians and the talent on hand, the job is not so much a rebuild as a reset.
Reports are the contract is for 2021 through 2023.
OL Reign 0
NJ/NY Gotham FC 3
NWSL Regular Season – June 26, 2021
Cheney Stadium – Tacoma, WA
(photos by Vanya Tucherov)
OL Reign hosted NJ/NY Gotham FC in Tacoma on Saturday afternoon in scorching temperatures. As in, the hottest day on record in June in the history of the region.
The hosts were relishing the opportunity to run out a starting eleven with OL Lyon loanies Eugenie Le Sommer and Dzsenifer Marozsan having had a few matches in the system and healthy and in form Jessica Fishlock and Megan Rapinoe also in the attack. Although Rose Lavelle and Tziarra King were not in the 18.
Gotham entered the match on the cusp of the top four, but without the services of Carli Lloyd. A stout Gotham defense has served them well in the early part of the season, but a dearth of goals had been an issue.
The early going and much of the first half was OL on their front foot, pushing the Gotham FC defense, but unable to finish off numerous chances. The Gotham midfield, led my Allie Long, proved to be difficult to break down in the middle third, pushing the Reign out wide for their attacks. The Reign responded with continual switching, looking to get Megan Rapinoe down the left flank and Le Sommer down the right. With Marozsan pushing the middle of the line, and Fishlock joining, it only seemed like a matter of time.
However, in the 38th minute, Gotham was rewarded for their patience and steady defense when Ifeoma Onomonu got free and Reign keeper Sarah Bouhaddi was caught out of net. Onomonu got around the defense and slotted a long low drive into the vacant net. Although against the statistical run of play at that point, Gotham’s absorb and counter had paid off near the interval.
The second half began with the Reign needing a goal to bring the match level. Taking the second half kick directly down the flank, a sliding Marozsan. The Gotham defense remained difficult to break down. The Reign moved to more long diagonals, trying to isolate their forwards.
The visitors struck again, grabbing a two nil lead in the 60th as Midge Purce got free with possession in front of the net, calmly finishing and extending the Gotham lead. The Reign then tried a wave of fresh legs to see about getting into the match.
Gotham grabbed a third in the 85th minute when Dom Richardson beat Bouhaddi far post, and the match that seemed so much like the home side would dominate early, was a three nil to the visitors.
Moving forward, the stout defense, difficult to break down, will serve Gotham well. For OL Reign, a line up full of international experience needs to get some goals or points and the standings are going to get away from them for 2021.
OL Reign 0
Washington Spirit 1
May 30, 2021
Welcome back to the PNW Rose Lavelle.
RGN: None
WAS: Rapinoe (OG) – 52nd minute
Discipline
RGN: Brooks (Caution – 88’)
WAS: None
Lineups
RGN: GK Bardsley (Dederick 86’), D Hammond, D Brooks, D McNabb, D Barnes ©, M Cruz (Angelina 75’), M Fishlock, M Lavelle (Weatherholt 64’), F Huerta, F King (Pruitt 64’), F Rapinoe (Balcer 75’)
Unused substitutes: D George, D Cox, M White, D Hiatt
Total Shots: 15 (Fishlock – 3, Rapinoe – 3)
Shots on Goal: 6 (6 tied with 1)
Fouls: 11 (Brooks – 3)
Offsides: 4 (4 tied with 1)
Corner Kicks: 5
Saves: 6 (Bardsley – 6)
WAS: GK Bledsoe ©, D Huster, D Sonnett, D Staab, D O’Hara, M Roddar (Bailey 58’), M Jacobs, M Sanchez, F Hatch (Heilferty 67’), F Yokoyama (Rodman 45’), F McKeown
Unused substitutes: M Takarada, D McGrady, M DiBiasi, GK Kerr, F Speckmaier, D Biegalski
Total Shots: 12 (Hatch – 3)
Shots on Goal: 6 (Sanchez – 2)
Fouls: 10 (Sanchez – 3)
Offsides: 0
Corner Kicks: 4
Saves: 6 (Bledsoe – 6)
Officials
Referee: Samantha Martinez
Assistant Referees: Tiffini Turpin, Baboucarr Jallow
OL Reign 0
North Carolina Courage 0
NWSL Regular Season
May 15, 2021 – Cheney Stadium – Tacoma, WA
It had been since the 2019 NWSL semifinal in Cary, NC in October 2019 since the OL Reign and North Carolina Courage had squared off. It was an extra time thriller on the other coast then.
The visiting Courage went right at the hosts, getting an opportunity on goal in the second minute that hit the Reign crossbar. The first quarter hour continued in that manner, with the visitors on the pedal and bringing a good deal of pressure on to the Reign goal.
Eventually, the Reign got their footing, with Jessica Fishlock sending a set piece over Casey Murphy that the Cheney Stadium crowd was briefly certain had gone in. A few more set pieces for the Reign were dangerous as the half progressed, as the match got chippy for a while and the Courage drew two quick yellow cards.
Any team with Debinha on the pitch has a chance to do dangerous things. The Reign defense was put under pressure dealing with her and what she was creating, setting the rest of the Courage offense up as she drew additional attention.
Even so, an entertaining first half finished and the match entered the interval goalless.
Courage coach Paul Riley had mentioned in the match build up how the narrow confines in Tacoma would dictate play. With both teams looking to push the attack, both defenses played a bit on their back heels, seeming more to disrupt and quickly distribute than maybe typically building up out of the back. With the narrow field, Jessica McDonald’s long throws were dangerous set pieces for the Reign defense to face.
Both keepers were put to the test throughout. Both Karen Bardsley for the OL Reign and Casey Murphy for the Courage were called upon to make reflex saves, which in what turned out to be a goalless draw are even more important.
The hosts subbed in fresh attackers, with Megan Rapinoe and Bethany Balcer augmenting the second half attack, creating chances. But, with veteran defenders on each side like Lauren Barnes and Abby Erceg, neither defense gave way.
Both clubs were 2-1-1 with 7 points and 2nd place divisional finishes in the Challenge Cup matches leading to the opener. Both sides pressed on the attack, were challenging and disrupting passes, and attempting to counter quickly.
Afterward, Courage players were happy with their play, even if the result was a goalless draw. “Honestly, I thought it was one of our best performances so far,” Carson Pickett said. “We are really starting to gel, and I think we are in a good place to keep growing into the season.”
The Reign have reason to feel good as well, especially with their resilience against a good North Carolina side, knowing that international help is coming later in the season.
Both sides grab a point to start a long regular season. Both defenses kept a clean sheet. Both offenses created chances, but were unable to convert. A long season is now underway.
BOX:
Attendance: 2,104
NCC (4-3-3): Casey Murphy, Merritt Mathias, Abby Erceg, Kaliegh Kurtz, Carson Pickett; Denise O’Sullivan, Debinha, Havana Solaun (Brittany Ratcliffe – 77’); Jessica McDonald, Hailie Mace (Cari Roccaro – 77’), Kristen Hamilton
Subs Not Used: Katelyn Rowland, Taylor Smith, Schuyler DeBree, Diane Caldwell, Ryan Williams, Lynn Williams, Lindsay Agnew
RGN (4-3-3): Karen Bardsley, Celia Jimenez (Amber Brooks – 23’), OLison Hammond, Kristen McNabb, Lauren Barnes, Jessica Fishlock, D. Weatherholt, Sofia Huerta, Rosie White (Bethany Balcer – 46’ ), Tziarra King (Megan Rapinoe – 57’), Leah Pruitt (Angelina – 86’)
Subs Not Used: C. Morché, Machaela George, Stephanie Cox, Jasmyne Spencer, Yuka Momiki
Cautions:
NCC: Abby Erceg – 21’; Merritt Mathias – 26’
RGN: Bethany Balcer – 83′
OL Reign 3
Chicago Red Stars 2
NWSL Challenge Cup
Cheney Stadium – Tacoma, WA – April 27, 2021
Chicago Red Stars visited the OL Reign in the Pacific Northwest Tuesday evening in NWSL Challenge Cup play. Neither side could catch the division leading Portland Thorns, but with the regular season on the horizon and returning internationals, the match was still an excellent chance for both sides to prepare for May forward.
The host Reign presented a far more veteran starting eleven than in their previous two Challenge Cup matches, having worked the returning Megan Rapinoe and Jessica Fishlock into starting roles. Even with the trade earlier in the day of Allie Long to Gotham, the Reign line up had Steph Cox and Lauren Barnes adding veteran presence.
A fairly back and forth first half was reflective of the early season and line up changes through these early matches. Chicago had the best of the early play, pushing more into the host half and making the Reign mostly counter for any opportunities.
Red Stars forward Mallory Pugh broke through with a left footed strike in the 38th minute, sneaking a low strike past the outstretched Karen Bardsley.
The Reign began to get more possession and opportunities as the first half closed, Sofia Huerta converting past ALyssa Naeher in the 41st after the Reign press had pressured the Red Stars into a bad turnover near their own penalty area. For the hosts, the goal was the first of the Challenge Cup, having been held goalless by both Houston and Portland.
It is oft quoted about how goals change games. Chicago continued for much of the second half with much of the possession, but a 70th minute OL Reign Leah Pruitt goal put them in a hole with 20 minutes remaining.
Kealia Watt appeared to have equalized in the 80th, but the flag was up and it was waved off.
Tziarra King extended the lead in the 87th, but the lead was tenuous as the Red Stars continued to press.
A 90th minute scramble and Chicago goal by Morgan Gautrat cut the lead to 3-2 going into the four minutes of announced stoppage time. Chicago pressed forward, getting one last set piece late, but to no avail.
In the end, the three Challenge Cup points went to the host Reign. Not scoring in the first two matches had weighed on them, breaking through with three goals and being mostly full strength doing it could bode well down the road. Chicago continues to look for its first win of 2021, but there was a lot of good in their performance and the regular season resets the standings.
A few more Challenge cup matches remain around the league; the Red Stars have completed their four,the Reign having one remaining. The regular season schedule has dropped and it should be an interesting year.
Match Report
Goals:
CHI – Pugh – 38′
OLR – Huerta – 41′
OLR – Pruitt – 70′
OLR – King – 87′
CHI – Gautrat – 90’+
Attendance 1,105
OL Reign 0
Houston Dash 0
2021 NWSL Challenge Cup
Cheney Stadium – Tacoma, WA – April 16, 2021
OL Reign opened the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup Friday night in Tacoma, hosting the Houston Dash. A long off-season was finally over and real matches were in the works, almost six months since playing their final Fall Series match in October.
Houston had grabbed a point in a nil-nil draw at home in their first match, traveling up to the Pacific Northwest looking to get points to defend their 2020 Challenge Cup.
The first half was limited in chances on goal. Each side got a few chances, but the bulk of the play was in the middle of the pitch. Houston had an advantage on possession in the first 45, but it didn’t lead to many chances. The Reign defense held the Dash up as they moved towards the goal, but the Reign counter managed a similar level of success generating few clear chances.
The home side came out the second half with more of the play. Opening up their attack also led to the Houston visitors stretching the field in response after an initial ten minutes of Reign pressure. A much more end to end second half followed. By the middle of the second half, a few yellow cards also followed for each, as some hard fouls came in the wake of the additional opportunities and the match remained a tense goalless scoreline.
Goalless draws can be seen as drab affairs, but this one was more a result of early season connections just missing. Houston was on it’s second match since the October NWSL Fall Series ended; with the host Reign on their first. As the match progressed, attackers would take more chances on the dribble, attempting to create for themselves. Dash attacker Shea Groom created some opportunities with dangerous runs. Sofia Huerta challenged the Houston goal with a strong volley, but Lindsey Harris was up to the task.
Neither side comes out of the match too much for the worst in the sense of the point, but it means only two points on two goalless draws thus far for the defending Challenge Cup champions. They do need points.
The match was the first for the Reign in front of fans since the end of the 2019 season. 1263 were spread out about the park, and they became more noticeable as the match progressed. The Reign now move on to fave Cascadia rivals Portland Thorns FC on Wednesday down the road in Oregon.
The only OLR player to have appeared in every match in 2019 and 2020, Bethany Balcer continued her streak of playing every match as a professional in her third season in Tacoma.
SCORING SUMMARY:
None
BOOKING SUMMARY:
RGN-Danielle Weatherholt (caution) 23
HOU-Shea Groom (caution) 25
TOTAL SHOTS: RGN 11-8 HOU
SHOTS ON GOAL: RGN 4-3 HOU
FOULS: RGN 16-10 HOU
OFFSIDES: RGN 3-1 HOU
CORNER KICKS: RGN 4-4 HOU
SAVES: RGN 3-4 HOU
Photos by Vanya Tucherov
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(Duplicate post of ProstAmerika article as is normal practice for when covering Sounders FC, although this was virtual coverage.)
Seattle Sounders FC 0
Columbus Crew SC 3
MLS Cup Final
December 12, 2020
MAPFRE Stadium – Columbus, OH
Columbus Crew SC hosted Seattle Sounders FC Saturday night in at MAPFRE Stadium in the 2020 MLS Cup Final.
The 2020 final is the third appearance for MLS founding club Columbus, having won the title in 2008. For Seattle, it is a chance at a repeat, a third title, in their fourth appearance over the past five seasons.
Subplots and history have dominated the conversations in recent days leading into the match. With Seattle at virtually full strength, the late pandemic related suspensions of top Columbus players is likely the subplot that had the most direct chance of affecting the match.
The two clubs have met in a final before, with the Sounders beating the Crew in the 2010 US Open Cup Final in Seattle. But, the history between the two clubs predates Seattle’s actual first match in MLS in 2009 with the drama over the departure of Sigi Scmid from the Crew to become the MLS Sounders’ first head coach. Schmid’s passing in 2018 adds an additional somber element as both clubs had great success with him at the helm. To have been able to have Sigi possibly in attendance at the match would have been a great moment for the clubs, supporters of both, and the league.
Crew coach Caleb Porter was at the helm of Portland Timbers when they defeated Columbus for the cup in 2015 in Columbus. Porter’s tense relationship with the Sounders through the Cascadia rivalry is apparently now in the past as Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer has commented about them attending licensing courses together. Supporters may still feel differently.
Columbus looked to close out MAPFRE Stadium on the highest of notes. A win would end their tenure in what has been possibly the most important building in US soccer history. Without the stadium, the trajectory of MLS would have been a different story as it proved the proper sized soccer specific stadium was essential to the league not merely surviving but thriving. With the numerous important matches played in the stadium, it is not hyperbole to state its importance.
The opening half was mostly Columbus on their front foot. Seattle keeper Stefan Frei was called on a number of times early, coming up big and keeping the match level. The Crew managed to put Seattle on the chase, creating chances, and only facing the counter on a handful of occasions. Seattle’s counter did get Jordan Morris forward down the left flank a few times, but the crosses didn’t lead to real chances on goal.
The constant pressure would pay off for the Crew. The initial goal would come mid-half. Lucas Zelarayán got a foot on a far post cross in the 25th minute and the home side was rewarded with a deserved goal and lead.
Derrick Etienne would make it two nil in the 31st. The Crew was really rolling at this point, dominating in possession and attack. Seattle needed to get their footing and press back to attempt to cut into the lead by the half, but were unable to. Heading into the interval the two goal margin was reflective of the way in which Columbus had controlled the match.
Seattle did not wait to make changes after the interval. Two changes and some urgency put Seattle in position to cut into the lead early in the second half. The early second half suddenly seemed to find Seattle able to get and do something with possession.
But, the change in game flow did not change the score line in the first part of the second half. Columbus weathered the storm in the early going, and despite the numerous Seattle chances, the half progressed with the same two goal margin. The Sounders had definitely found their footing in the match after the half, however, the goals remained elusive.
Given recent history and Seattle’s ability to score in short bursts, the notion that they could come back to bring it level was hardly out of the question. Seattle came close to scoring on a number of set pieces and sequences adding drama to the proceedings.
Lucas Zelarayán put an end to the come back storyline for Seattle. His left foot drive from the top of the box beat Frei in the 82nd minute and it was just a matter of playing out the match for Columbus to host the title for the second time.
Columbus had dominated the early going, but had also managed to finish. The long run of Seattle pressure in the second half had not paid off with goals.
Columbus is the 2020 MLS Cup champion, closing out the MAPFRE Stadium era with as much style as it deserved.
(Duplicate post of ProstAmerika article as is normal practice for when covering Sounders FC)
Seattle Sounders FC 3
Minnesota United FC 2
MLS Playoffs Western Conference Final
December 7, 2020
Seattle, WA – Lumen Field
Seattle Sounders FC hosted FC Minnesota United FC in the MLS Playoffs Western Conference Final Monday evening. At stake, an opportunity for a spot in the MLS Cup Final against Columbus in Ohio on Saturday December 12.
Due to the unique scheduling necessary this season, it was the first meeting of the two sides in 2020. The last previous meeting being a 1-0 Seattle victory on Decision Day over a year ago at the end of the 2019 season. Seattle was 5-0-1 against the Loons going into the match, with this being the first postseason match between the two clubs.
For the visitors, it was a chance to progress to their first final since joining the league in 2017 in just their second postseason appearance.
A win for the home side and would mean a fourth final in five seasons, an opportunity to repeat and defend their 2019 title, and a shot at a third Philip F. Anschutz Trophy.
Neither Western Conference side could host the final with Columbus defeating New England on Sunday.
The match also marked the return of Sounders legend Osvaldo Alonso to Seattle, albeit a different sort of homecoming given the empty stands. Alonso led his side out to what in another time would have been an amazing spectacle.
And Ozzie made his presence felt early with a strong tackle. A brisk overall pace of play on a crisp but clear Seattle December night meant the action went end to end. Seattle looked to exploit Jordan Morris on the left flank with several long runs in the early going. Morris’ deep runs led to several low and dangerous crosses that put pressure on the Minnesota defense throughout the first half.
Raul Ruidiaz was heavily marked on the Seattle attack, fighting off some tight man marking to have any chance at the numerous attempts to target him. He would have to fight for every opening against the tight marking, and that would come back later to haunt him
The visitors did more than absorb and counter in the first third of the match, but definitely were willing to push the Sounders back line with through balls and their speed.
And then Minnesota broke through in the 29th with a goal on a long set piece by Emanuel Reynoso. Reynoso’s shot over the Seattle wall dipped to Frei’s left and into the goal for the lead. With the Minnesota defense holding off the Seattle crossing attack, the visitors took a one nil lead into the interval.
Seattle looked like it had leveled early on in the second half on a 53rd minute goal from Ruidiaz. Minnesota argued that he had fouled to break free, and the goal was reversed on VAR. Seattle continued to press, but the team defense United played in their own defensive third was a pretty tough nut to crack. The Sounders could get the ball in, but the numbers were very often against them with the commitment Minnesota showed to covering lanes and blocking through balls and shots. The final stats reflecting the team defense in that they blocked 12 Seattle shots throughout the match.
A second set piece goal from the Loons in the 67th minute put the defending champs on their heels. Bakaye Dibassy got his head on the Reynoso service and suddenly it looked like Minnesota was a team of destiny.
Will Bruin came on following the second United goal. Within minutes he had halved the Minnesota lead, slotting a right foot shot home after a deflection. The final 15 minutes suddenly looked more interesting again.
Seattle pleaded for another VAR review minutes after cutting the lead when it appeared Christian Roldan was possibly fouled near the top of the box, but their pleas led to nothing.
Somehow the Sounders got it done. Seattle drew level in the 89th minute. Ruidiaz somehow found himself unmarked on the far post off of a Lodeiro corner and his right footed shot a minute prior to stoppage time meant extra time was on the menu. The wild momentum swings throughout the second half were not done.
Seattle found a third and the winner in the 3rd minute of stoppage. Gustav Svensson headed in to the far post off of another Lodeiro corner and the comeback was complete.
The storyline somehow had completely changed in a matter of minutes. Where Seattle’s run to another final looked over and Minnesota looked ready to ascend to their first, suddenly it was the Sounders celebrating in the center of the pitch. It is hard not to view this match mostly in terms of the final minutes and the comeback/letdown of the 89th minute equalizer and stoppage time goal. In the end, that is the story and what will be remembered.
Minnesota had played a smart match for the bulk of the 90 minutes, frustrating the Sounders offense throughout with tight marking, clogging their lanes, and getting in front of shot after shot. One man is left unmarked in the 89th minute and a late substitute gets to a corner in stoppage time and the conversation shifts to what might have been.
Minnesota has built a solid side in just a few short seasons, getting to the playoffs now a couple years running and to the MLS is Back semifinals this summer. To be in this position as such a young franchise is something noteworthy. It will be an interesting storyline in 2021 to see how the club reacts to the lingering taste of being so close only to lose so dramatically.
Seattle now heads to Ohio with a chance to add another banner to the rafters of Lumen Field. For Brian Schmetzer and his club, it is a fourth final in five seasons and another shot at glory on Saturday.
Kicker photo by Jeff Lageson