By Marilia Macedo
On Wednesday, May 25, at Lumen Field in Seattle, WA, OL Reign played against Kansas City to get the first victory of the current NWSL regular season, and it happened with a beautiful goal by Bethany Balcer in the second half, assisted by Sofia Huerta.
The Reign started the match attacking and had an early chance with a header by Lavelle, but the keeper AD Franch made the first save, while Kansas had a few set pieces trying to break the tie – none on target.
The best chance for the home team came with a good play by Tziarra King, who broke into the area and tried to beat the keeper. However, Franch was fast and was able to block it. Later on, Angelina, Lavelle, and King attempted good shots, and the keeper denied them again – that was why the game went to the break with no goals.
After the break, coach Laura Harvey changed the team, selecting Megan Rapinoe to start the second half and putting Latsko on the bench. At the beginning of it, Lavelle, Fishlock, and King had the opportunity to open the scoreboard, but they missed the chance.
With more substitutions made by the coach, Bethany Balcer was one of the chosen ones, and she did the trick. When everything seemed to be heading for another scoreless draw, Huerta made a perfect cross, and Balcer, with a powerful header, put the ball in the back of the net, scoring the winning goal, 1-0.
After that, the OL had more chances to double, but the shots lacked precision and power to surprise Franch once more, and the game ended like that, 1-0. It was Reign’s first win this season, and it was a good one.
The next game for OL Reign will be against San Diego Wave at Lumen Field on Sunday, May 29, at 12 PM ET.