Reign FC continued preseason play on Sunday, taking on the United States U-23 Women’s National Team in the first of a three-game Thorns Spring Invitational in Portland. The match ended 2-1 in favor of Reign FC, although the NWSL side dominated and should have put in a few more goals.

Reign FC head coach Vlatko Andonovski started what looks to be close to an ideal XI, with Lydia Williams anchoring the defense in goal; Steph Catley, Lauren Barnes, Megan Oyster, and Celia Jiménez Delgado along the backline; Allie Long, Elise Kellond-Knight, and Bev Yanez in the midfield; and Megan Rapinoe, Jodie Taylor, and new Reign FC forward Darian Jenkins in the front band of three.

The first half was played mostly in the Reign’s offensive half, with the team peppering the U-23 goal. Most of the play came up the left side of Reign FC’s attack, with Catley and Rapinoe combining and the midfield sending long balls toward their side of the field. If not for a number of deflections and blocks as the U-23s threw bodies into the box, Reign FC could have easily entered halftime with three goals. Credit goes to U-23 forward Ally Watt, as well, who frequently dropped back to provide cover on Rapinoe or Catley as they attacked.

Thanks to the resolute U-23 defending, it was 0-0 after the first 45 minutes, but it wouldn’t take long for Reign FC to find the back of the net in the second half. Some quick attacking movement gave Jenkins the first goal in the 49th minute. A series of rapid passes starting near midfield put Yanez on the ball about 30 yards out. She played to Jenkins on the right, who took a sharp cut to drag the ball to her left, then buried a shot into the right corner.

A beautiful build-up and finish from Darian Jenkins to open the scoring in yesterday's match against the @USYNT U-23s. #RFC253 pic.twitter.com/l0qCkuVxzC — Reign FC (@ReignFC) March 25, 2019

Reign FC’s lead wouldn’t last for long, however. A poor pass from Kellond-Knight in the midfield gave Catarina Macario, a creative attacking player from Stanford, the ball and an opportunity to counter. With substitute right back Theresa Nielsen pulled up high in anticipation of a Reign attack, the Reign’s right side was exposed. Macario found a streaking Ashley Sanchez, who took a low shot to the far post that was just out of the reach of an outstretched Williams.

Long would get the go-ahead goal in the 70th minute. The midfielder, who went a full 90 minutes after taking the offseason to recover from a partially torn PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament), got her head on a Rapinoe free kick — redirecting it to the right corner of the net.

Reign FC continue the Thorns Invitational on Wednesday, taking on the Chicago Red Stars at 1:30 PM at Merlo Field. They close out the preseason tournament on Saturday, March 30 with a match against rivals Portland Thorns FC. The game is also at Merlo Field and kicks off at 7:30 PM.

Preseason Observations