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OL Reign Vs Portland Thorns: 3 things we learned – The stage is set

By Drew Hubbard

OL Reign, Portland Thorns (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
OL Reign, Portland Thorns (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 16: Sofia Huerta of Sydney FC throws the ball in during the W-League Grand Final match between Sydney FC and Perth Glory at Netsrata Jubilee Oval on February 16, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 16: Sofia Huerta of Sydney FC throws the ball in during the W-League Grand Final match between Sydney FC and Perth Glory at Netsrata Jubilee Oval on February 16, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) /

2. Huerta impresses in Reign debut

Forward Sofia Huerta appeared for her first game in an OL Reign kit after joining from the Houston Dash in the offseason. She appeared in the starting lineup and was taken off in the 59th minute in place of Darian Jenkins.

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She joined Reign after scoring five goals and earned four assists for Houston in 2019. In Huerta’s first minutes as a Reign player, she completed a team-high 89.5% of passes on the right-hand side for OL. She also had one shot on goal from outside the box. Huerta and defender Stephanie Cox made their time in the wide area. Huerta occupying the right and Cox getting forward to take up space on the left.

This was Huerta’s first appearance due to injury but she impressed during her limited time on the field against Portland. In the coming knockout rounds, she will need to repeat her impressive Reign debut if she is healthy to do so.

She may not have gotten on the scoresheet or earned an assist in this match, but she passed the ball accurately and was a positive influence in possession. Reign will be hoping for more of the same in the upcoming fixtures.

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