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It’s the final group-stage match of the NWSL Challenge Cup, as OL Reign head south to take on the San Diego Wave. The game kicks off at 7 PM PT tonight and will stream on Paramount+ for fans in the U.S. and Twitch for international viewers.
The Reign currently sit at the top of the West division in the NWSL Challenge Cup with 13 points, and a win or draw will guarantee a #1 seed for the semifinals on May 4. North Carolina is through in the East division, earning 12 points.
Unfortunately, the league confirmed on Friday that teams with a stadium conflict on May 4 — the Seattle Sounders host the Concacaf Champions League final that night — will have to play their semifinal match at the lower seed’s stadium.
OL Reign has a 4-0-1 record coming into the match, while San Diego are 1-3-1. The Wave have scored eight goals in their five matches while allowing 10. Six of those 10 goals were given up in the last two matches.
What to Watch
- Defend well in the box
- Create more chances in the final third
- Control for all 90 minutes
Injury / Availability Report
OL Reign
OUT: Angelina (right ankle), Tziarra King (right ankle), Megan Rapinoe (right calf)
San Diego
OUT: Kayla Bruster (left thigh), Abby Dahlkemper (COVID Protocol), Katie Johnson (COVID Protocol), Mia Gyau (right thigh), Kristen McNabb (suspension – card accumulation)
Lineups
Your Starting XI | @sandiegowavefc
— OL Reign (@OLReign) April 24, 2022
Let’s GO❗️#boldtogether #SDvRGN #NWSLChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/SdSmppHfEx
Starting XI and Game Changers for tonight's match.
— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) April 24, 2022
#WaveFC #NWSL#NWSLChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/jyjoB0ZGSr
Highlights
13’ - Ally Watt got her first NWSL goal! They didn’t show it on the stream, but the Diaspora United podcast got their hands on it. Bad giveaway from Kailen Sheridan, even worse tackle on Balcer, but it leaves Watt wide open on goal.
DON'T ASK US ABOUT OUR SOURCES JUST WATCH WITNESS AND DELIGHT IN ALLY WATT'S FIRST NWSL GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL pic.twitter.com/5Wgk5sDrdV
— HAPPY BLACK HISTORY FOREVER (@DiasporaUtdPod) April 24, 2022
45+3’ - The Reign got a bogus handball call in the box, and Alex Morgan equalizes for San Diego
I have no clue where in this sequence there is supposedly a foul or handball. Regardless, the teams are now level. pic.twitter.com/B1LLyXyjwk
— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) April 24, 2022
How to Watch
Date/Time: Saturday, April 23, 7 PM PT
Location: Torero Stadium, San Diego, CA
TV: None
Streaming (US/Canada): Paramount+
Streaming (International): Twitch (search NWSLOfficial)
Join the Discussion
This is your OL Reign versus San Diego Challenge Cup gamethread. Join the discussion here in the comments, or follow the action on Twitter: @rovalks.
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