OL Reign 1
Houston Dash 2
August 7, 2022
NWSL Regular Season
Seattle, WA – Lumen Field
Houston Dash made their first 2022 visit to the Pacific Northwest to play OL Reign at Lumen Field in Seattle on hot and sunny Sunday afternoon.
The clubs entered the match level on points and above the playoff line, but with Houston having a match in hand. As the playoff run in is ongoing, the head to head match in August felt additionally important.
Houston has now played a few matches under a new interim coach, altering any real ability of the Reign to really scout much more than the past few matches. The Dash came out and played with confidence, but with the hosts having more of the early play in possession trying to break through.
OL Reign did break through in the early going, Kim Little sent a diagonal through ball to Megan Rapinoe, Rapinoe then scoring her first goal of the 2022 season on a left footed volley to the far post past Houston keeper Jane Campbell. Reign coach Laura Harvey was clear she felt her side needs to be more ruthless in front of goal than they have been. The side has been creating chances, but goals have at times been at a premium despite those numerous opportunities.
The Seattle side continued to claim much of the first half possession. Houston did create chances in transition and came close on some mid half corners.
The Dash would pick up a couple of first half yellow cards, as Seattle picked up the pressure after the goal, looking to extend their first half lead.
The match went into the interval with the single goal margin.
The biggest question out of the interval would be whether the hosts would rue only scoring one first half goal in spite of a significant statistical advantage. Houston had weathered much of the first half attack and only a single goal would level the match.
In the 53rd minute Houston would level, as Ebony Salmon converted a penalty. A hand ball call gave the Dash the opportunity and they made the Reign pay. Moments later Salmon would score on a quick counter on the restart and suddenly the home side was down a goal instead of leading.
The final third of the match saw the Reign bring on Tobin Heath and other changes, to try and alter the sudden reversal of fortunes.
Houston not only reversed the score line, but halftime adjustments clearly changed the dynamic of the match, as the Reign did not find nearly as much success creating chances from their possession in the second half.
Houston saw out the match, defending strong against a fierce Reign pressure for a first ever win in Seattle. These are three big points for both clubs. Houston grabbed a three point lead now on the Reign, still with that game in hand. These are three big points dropped by the Seattle club.
The match was also the final match in Seattle for the Reign with Kim Little. Little’s loan from Arsenal was completed and she will be returning to London for the 2022-23 WSL season.
OL Reign head Coach Laura Harvey entered and ended the match tied for all time NWSL wins.
BOX
RGN: Rapinoe – 16’
HOU: Salmon – 53’, 55’
Discipline
RGN: Huitema (Caution – 41’), Quinn (Caution – 52’), Barnes (Caution – 64’), Lopez (Caution – 86’)
HOU: Prisock (Caution – 19’), Chapman (Caution – 37’), Groom (Caution – 65’)
Lineups
RGN: GK Tullis-Joyce, D Huerta, D Cook, D Lopez (Latsko 89’), D Barnes, M Fishlock, M Quinn (Stanton 63’), M Little, M Van der Jagt (Watt 76’), F Huitema (Heath 63’), F Rapinoe
Unused substitutes: GK Ivory, D McClernon, D Miramontez, F King, M Stanton, D Hiatt
Total Shots: 10 (Rapinoe – 5)
Shots on Goal: 6 (Fishlock – 3)
Fouls: 11 (Huitema – 4)
Offsides: 7
Corner Kicks: 2
Saves: 1 (Tullis-Joyce 1)
HOU: GK Campbell, D Chapman, D Prisock, D Naughton, D Jacobs (Hanson 46’), D Sanchez (Gareis 80’) M Viggiano, M Schmidt, M Groom (Ogle 68’), F Salmon (Abam 80’), F Prince (Eddy 90+3’)
Unused substitutes: M Visalli, GK Harris, D Alozie, F Farquharson
Total Shots: 7 (Sanchez, Salmon – 2)
Shots on Goal: 3 (Salmon – 2)
Fouls: 11 (Groom – 3)
Offsides: 2
Corner Kicks: 4
Saves: 12 (Campbell – 5)
Referee: Danielle Chesky
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Clerc
Assistant Referee 2: CJ Koll
4th Official: Gloria Resendizavelle (USA)
