OL Reign Vs Utah Royals: 3 things we learned

3 of 3

HERRIMAN, UT – JULY 08: Bethany Balcer #24 of OL Reign celebrates with her team after scoring a goal during a game against the Utah Royals FC on day 6 of the NWSL Challenge Cup at Zions Bank Stadium on July 8, 2020 in Herriman, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

1. Reign join the four-point party

Before OL Reign took all three points, the team was sitting at the bottom of the table with Sky Blue FC and the Chicago Red Stars with only one point. Now, with the 1-0 win over Utah, Reign joins the crowded group in the middle trying to find a spot in the seedings behind the North Carolina Courage.

Currently, Reign sit in sixth place, only behind the Washington Spirit due to goals scored. This actually puts Reign in a preferable spot for now as they would be placed in the other half of the draw to North Carolina, who have clinched the number one seed.

However, if there’s one thing this tournament has taught us, it’s that anything can happen. OL has to play the Portland Thorns in a Cascadia rivalry on Monday for both team’s final match before the knockout rounds.

Next. MLS is Back: Western Conference Tactics. dark

Obviously, a lot can change in the remaining matchdays, especially when there are so many teams congested as tightly as the current standings show. Reign needed a win to keep away from the bottom of the table and a date with the Courage in the first round. And they got just that.

Home/NWSL