Key Transactions
In June, the Reign acquired the rights to Tobin Heath through the 2022 season, with an option for 2023, from Racing Louisville FC who held her rights while she played in the FA Women’s Super League. Since her return to the NWSL, Heath has played in five matches, taking three shots and scoring one goal.
Recent Form
OL Reign are coming off a 4-1 win over NJ/NY Gotham FC in their last outing on Aug. 14 at Lumen Filed. The home side found the back of the net twice on both sides of the break, with Megan Rapinoe scoring a brace in the match along with a finish from Rose Lavelle and an own goal by Gotham to round out the scoring for the Reign on the evening.
Who’s Hot
Megan Rapinoe has been involved in every goal the Reign have scored in the month of August, currently with 23 shots this season with three goals, all of which have come in the last four games. Rapinoe had a hand in all four of the Reign goals scored in their last match against Gotham FC, scoring two while adding an assist on Rose Lavelle’s goal in the 15th minute. The final goal in the Reign’s favor came off the head of a Gotham defender as she tried to clear a cross sent in by Rapinoe.
Head-to-Head
Orlando last saw OL Reign twice in the 2021 season, both meetings ending in favor of Friday’s opposition. The most recent meeting resulted in a 3-0 loss in Tacoma with goals from Bethany Balcer and a brace from Eugénie Le Sommer. Historically, the Pride are 1-4-7 against the Reign since entering the league in 2016.
Rasmussen University Fun Fact
Combined, the two sides have a total of four of “The Original 21.” This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the NWSL, with 21 current players remaining in the league from its inaugural season Three of those are currently, and have always been, with the Reign in defender Lauren Barnes, midfielder Jess FIshlock and forward Megan Rapinoe, comprising half of just six players who have spent a decade with the same club. Pride defender Toni Pressley is the lone Orlando player to feature on the list, having played for the Washington Spirit, the Western New York Flash, and the Houston Dash before coming to the Pride in 2016. Midfielder Erika Tymrak also joined the league in its inaugural 2013 season, winning Rookie of the Year that year, but missed the 2020 campaign after a brief retirement.
