The pre-match TIFO for the match displayed the three Reign originals still playing, Lauren Barnes, Megan Rapinoe, and Jess Fishlock
Seattle, WA – The OL Reign and Racing Louisville FC played to a 2-2 draw in their May 8th matchup at Lumen Field. The regular season home opener for the Reign saw forward Tziarra King score her first professional brace, with goals in the 33rd and 37th minutes. Louisville’s equalizing goal came in the 60th minute with some controversy, as the initial look and replay seem like the ball may not truly cross the line into the net.
Jess McDonald scored first for Louisville
Tziarra King steps up big
Tziarra King has worked her way back to being in the lineup with the Reign, following some injuries throughout last year. You could say that this match was one of the best of her pro career to this point. King recorded her first professional brace and scored for the first time since July 24th of 2021. Both goals came off of solid build up. The first goal had excellent service in by Angelina, after Rose Lavelle won the ball back to give the Reign possession again. The second goal for King came on a deflected ball off of a shot by Rose Lavelle, as Tziarra was in the right place at the right time to put the ball away.
Tziarra King is mobbed by her teammates, as well as partner Jess Fishlock
Continued controversy for the Reign
The OL Reign have seen their fair share of calls that have not gone their way lately. A handball in the box wasn’t called in the final minute of regulation of their NWSL Challenge Cup Semifinal loss. That game would go to a penalty shootout, and had the penalty been called, the Reign would probably not have had to deal with that. The Louisville equalizing goal came off of a set piece, the ball careening in. That initial ball was punched away by Reign keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, then bouncing off of Bethany Balcer. Balcer clears the ball right on the line, and it bounces off of the crossbar and away from net. Play continues for a few seconds, but then the officiating crew calls it dead and it is ruled a goal.
Veronica Latsko crosses the ball into the box
How will the Reign proceed?
It is a tough and frustrating result for the Reign, who already had an infuriating loss in the Challenge Cup Semifinal back on Wednesday, May 4th. While it is a long season ahead of them, the Reign have to be a little upset with the way things are going for them. The depth on this team and the coaching staff are sure to right the ship for them. But, these sorts of issues should not be happening at all. The NWSL faces serious officiating and replay issues, and if you need a prime example for that? Just look at some of the calls/no calls from the NWSL Challenge Cup Final.
Ally Watt battles for a ball in the air
What’s next for the Reign?
The Reign’s next matchup comes on Friday, May 13th in Portland against the Thorns. The Cascadia rivals will kick off at 7:30PM PST. The Thorns sit at a 1-0-0 record. Their last game was a 3-0 win over the Kansas City Current. This matchup will be streamed on the CBS Sports Network.
Thank you to Melissa Levin and Paul Kahl for the photos used in this article. Thank you Mel and Paul!
OL Reign
Racing Louisville
