Reign keep playoff hopes alive
Just over a minute after falling behind, Reign FC forward Jodie Taylor tied the game with her second goal of the season. That 1-1 score stood as Reign FC drew Sky Blue FC on the road at Red Bull Arena Sunday afternoon in front of a Sky Blue FC record crowd of 9,415
Reign FC forward Shea Groom left the match in the 19th minute after a midair collision with Sky Blue FC’s forward Carly Lloyd. She was taken to a local hospital and x-rays revealed she has a broken rib. Ifeoma Onumonu subbed on replacing Groom.
The first goal of the match came as Sky Blue defender Kenie Wright sent a long ball into danger. Midfielder Elizabeth Eddy sent a looping shot over Casey Murphy. That goal late in the 36th minute would grant the hosts a short-lived lead.
REIGN RESPOND QUICKLY
It was not long before Reign FC responded. Just a few passes after the ensuing kickoff Taylor scored her second goal of the season with an assist from Reign FC midfielder Allie Long at the 38th minute.
Taylor finished with four shots and the game-tying goal, earning the player of the match. She had 34 touches in the game total.
Reign FC goalkeeper Casey Murphy finished with two saves on the day, including a stop in the 89th minute as Lloyd ripped a powerful shot from distance.
Despite playing on the road in the heat Reign FC dominated shots 18-9 and out possessed the hosts 62-38. The draw leaves Reign FC in 5th place, tied with Utah Royals FC on 27 points.
Reign FC are on the road against NC Courage on Saturday, August 24 at 4:00 p.m. PT. at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. The club split the previous meetings with NC Courage this season, winning at home on May 27 and losing on the road on July 13. Reign FC returns home to Cheney Stadium on Saturday, September 7 to host the Orlando Pride at 7 p.m. PT.
Match Report
Match: Sky Blue FC vs. Reign FC
Date: August 18, 2019
Venue: Red Bull Arena, Harrison, N.J.
Kickoff: 10:00 a.m. PT
Weather: 91 degrees, partly cloudy
Attendance: 9,415
Goals by half 1 2 Total
NJ 1 0 0
RFC 1 0 0
Scoring Summary
NJ – Elizabeth Eddy (Kenie Wright) 36’
RFC – Jodie Taylor (Allie Long) 38’
Misconduct Summary
RFC – Allie Long (caution) 8’
Lineups & Stats
RFC: GK Casey Murphy, D Steph Catley, D Lauren Barnes, D Megan Oyster, D Therese, M Allie Long, M Beverly Yanez (Quinn 73’), M Rosie White, F Bethany Balcer (Darian Jenkins 69’), F Jodie Taylor, F Shea Groom (Ifeoma Onumonu 19’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Sammy Jo Prudhomme, Celia, Morgan Andrews, Schuyler DeBree
Head Coach: Vlatko Andonovski
Shots: 18
Shots on goal: 6
Fouls: 8
Corner kicks: 2
Saves: 2
SKY: GK Kailen Sheridan, D Kenie Wright, D Estelle Laura Johnson, D Erica Skroski, D Caprice Dydasco, M Raquel Rodriguez, M Carli Lloyd, M Elizabeth Eddy, M Sarah Killion, F Jennifer Hoy (Nahomi Kawasumi 46’), F Paige Monaghan (Amadine Pierre-Louis 72’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Didi Haracic, Imani Dorsey, Julie James, Gina Lewandowski, Dominique Richardson
Head Coach: Hugo Macedo
Shots: 9
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 8
Corner kicks: 2
Saves: 5
About Reign FC
Reign FC is one of nine teams in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – the world’s most competitive women’s professional soccer league. Reign FC features many of the top players from the United States, including U.S. Women’s National Team superstar Megan Rapinoe, as well as top players from around the world. Reign FC began its first campaign in the South Sound at Tacoma’s Cheney Stadium in April of 2019. For more information on the club visit ReignFC.com.
