OL Reign x Chicago Red Stars

At Lumen Field, OL Reign scored five goals in a high-scoring contest against the Chicago Red Stars. Chicago put early pressure on the Reign by utilizing their fresh legs to advance the ball. Veronica Latsko dribbled into the box and crossed the ball to Jordyn Huitema, who faked like she was going to play it, but instead let it fall to Bethany Balcer, who buried a low shot into the goal.

This time, OL Reign defender Lu Barnes provided the assist with her footwork for the second goal. After beating her defender, Balcer was all alone at the back post to head home a cross from Barnes. In the 32nd minute, Chicago got one back when midfielder Arin Wright blasted a shot from the center of the 18-yard box into the top corner of the net.

OL Reign scored a third goal in first-half stoppage time to extend their advantage. After a few saves in the penalty area, midfielder Jess Fishlock finished off a pass from defender Emily Sonnett. Despite going into halftime up on Chicago, OL Reign got off to a rough start and let up a goal almost immediately when Chicago forward Ally Schlegel battled for possession inside OL Reign's 18-yard box and scored.

After conceding that goal, OL Reign came out swinging, scoring two more times before the game ended. Forward Megan Rapinoe took a free kick and whipped it into the box, where it collided with a Chicago player before going into the goal. Then, in the 76th minute, Fishlock joined Balcer with a brace by scoring a goal of her own. Balcer attacked down the sideline of the Chicago penalty area and delivered a cross into the box, where it was picked up by Fishlock. Fishlock didn't think twice about putting the ball in the back of the goal with one touch, giving the Reign a solid 5-2 victory.

[Photography by Jackie Shinstrom]