Reign FC 0
Sky Blue FC 1
NWSL Regular Season
Cheney Stadium – Tacoma, WA
September 21, 2019
With a make up match scheduled midweek and three of the final four matches at home, it is win or stay home time for Reign FC.
For Reign FC, the return to full duty and the starting line up for Megan Rapinoe could not have come at a better time.
Sky Blue brought a high press, but were often on their heels with Reign garnering 7 corners and 11 shots in the first half. Still, the match went into the interval tied at nil. Statistical domination but a lack of goals is a story line all too often. Reign had the stat sheet dominance all evening, but without the finishing.
Carli Lloyd took her chance when she got it, slotting in a goal in the 76th minute that would prove to be a match winner and perhaps season altering for the home side.
For Sky Blue; the season winds down, but a match in Red Bull Arena and some real on field progress in 2019 seems like reason for optimism.
Given the loss by Utah on Saturday, there really was a chance for Reign FC to grab points and take control of their destiny. RFC and Utah are level on points, but the goal difference makes that not true when it comes to who really is in fourth and the final playoff spot.
Wednesday’s Reign FC match with Utah Royals looms.
photos by Vanya Tucherov
Attendance: 6,189
Scoring Summary
77’ Carli Lloyd (Naho Kawasumi)
Misconduct Summary
43’ – Imani Dorsey (Caution)
50’ – Carli Lloyd (Caution)
Lineups & Stats
RFC: GK Casey Murphy, D Steph Catley, D Lauren Barnes, D Rebecca Quinn, D Theresa (Ifeoma Onumonu 83’), M Rosie White (Kristen McNabb 66’), M Allie Long, M Bev Yanez, F Megan Rapinoe, F Bethany Balcer, F Darian Jenkins (Jodie Taylor 83’) Substitutes Not Used: GK Lydia Williams, Steph Cox, Celia, Rumi Utsugi – Head Coach: Vlatko Andonovski
Shots: 23
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 8
Corner kicks: 13
Saves: 3
NJ: GK Keilen Sheridan, D Caprice Dydasco, D Erica Skroski, D Estelle Johnson, D Imani Dorsey, M Sarah Killion, M Elizabeth Eddy, M Raquel Rodriguez, M Carli Lloyd, F Paige Monaghan, F Jen Hoy (Naho Kawasumi 62’) Substitutes Not Used: Didi Haracic, Julie James Doyle, Gina Lewandowski, Kenie Wright, Domi Richardson, Amandine Pierre-Louis – Head Coach: Freya Coombe
Shots: 16
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 11
Corner kicks: 2
Saves: 4
