Event: OL Reign at Gotham FC (NWSL)
Date/Time Ended: September 21st/ 8:10pm
Date/Time Submitted: September 21st/ 8:40pm
Headline: Gotham FC’s Woes Continue After Falling to OL Reign 1-0
(Harrison, NJ) A one-two punch from Jess Fishlock and Megan Rapinoe led the OL Reign to a 1-0 win at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey on Wednesday night in one of the final matches of the 2022 NWSL regular season. Reign goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce also notched her seventh shutout of the 2022 NWSL season in the win.
It was a quiet game until the 56th minute when Fishlock and Rapinoe subbed into the match for Tziarra King and Jordyn Huitema, respectively. The combination of the two Reign veterans was instantly a game-changer, as Fishlock challenged Gotham’s Ali Krieger in front of Gotham’s net. Krieger then drew a foul, resulting in a penalty kick from Reign, which Rapinoe torpedoed into the bottom left corner of the net. The goal marked Rapinoe’s 13th against Gotham FC in her career.
While the win puts Reign near the top of the table going into the playoffs, it was also Gotham’s tenth loss in a row. The fact that they were able to keep Reign to one goal proves that that record isn’t necessarily an indication of their quality. Gotham forward Midge Purce, also a consistent presence on the Women’s National Team, was a constant force on the field tonight, keeping the Reign on their toes.
OL Reign finishes the regular season by taking on the Houston Dash and Orlando Pride, while Gotham tries to find a spark again with the NC Courage and Portland Thorns. As of publishing time, two more games are still happening Wednesday night to help shape the picture of who’s making the hotly contested playoffs.