I’m actually having the opposite feeling. I think those two years after the inaugural season was indeed very exciting but the last few years (before the move) from Tacoma had been a weird one and I thing most people can attest to the fact that I have not been too active on this forum. I don’t live in the Seattle area so I don’t attribute that feeling to the move or the loss of Harvey. I think it was more the fact that the club had reached a ceiling with both Harvey and the Predmore ownership. I think the Predmores were wonderful owners but they could only do so much and hence some kind of change was required. Therefore I think this sale to OL came at the right time. A couple of years ago there was a discussion about NWSL 2.0 and what that meant. I think if we were to revisit that discussion most people will tell you we are on the precipice of NWSL 2.0 wherein we are leaving behind the independent and mom/pop ownership groups and transitioning to larger groups. I strongly believe if this sale had not happen when it did the club would not have been able to compete. So in that sense I’m glad it did. For me personally I needed some major change to get me excited about this club and the NWSL in general and I think the sale to OL as well as other league wide initiatives were a positive step. Speaking of OL, the rebranding is official. And as I mention, I do not hate this new crest or colors. I really hope the new kits are similar to other OL clubs cause those are nice. Today Reign FC becomes OL Reign. We are proud to be part of the @OL family. Details: https://t.co/t9VwySfl4Z #TheBold pic.twitter.com/trg47TTmPk— Seattle Reign FC (@reignfc) March 6, 2020
I'm still not a fan of the rebrand, but now that I've seen this, I can't unsee it. Come on Jonathan, we hashed this out three months ago and now the raging debate is about whether the lion is eating a Pringles chip https://t.co/PaVeDTsYmC— Seagultras (@Seagultras) March 6, 2020
Updated to add the signing of drafted rookie Kelcie Hedge to a 3 year contract. I must say I’m pleasant surprised to see these players been signed to such long contracts by NWSL standards. Goal Keepers (2) Casey Murphy Michelle Betos (2020) Defenders (8) Lauren Barnes (2020) Steph Catley Steph Cox Celia Jiménez Delgado Kristen McNabb Taylor Smith Julia Ashley (2022) Amber Brooks (2022) Midfielders (7) Morgan Andrews Allie Long (FED) Kelsie Hedge (R, 2022) Rebecca Quinn Rosie White Jess Fishlock (2021) Dani Weatherholt Forwards (6) Darian Jenkins Megan Rapinoe (FED) Jodie Taylor (2020) Bethany Balcer (2022) Jasmyne Spencer Sofia Huerta (2022) Drafted 33rd - Sam Hiatt - Defender 34th - Meg Brandt - Midfielder Out Lydia Williams Sammy Jo Prudhomme Scout Watson Jaycie Johnson Theresa Nielsen Christen Westphal Schuyler Debree Megan Oyster Morgan Profitt Bev Yanez Rumi Utsugi Ifeoma Onumonu Shea Groom Addison Steiner
Wow didn't expect them to sign a long term contract to a drafted player before they even started. Usually its a 1 year deal. To see if they are worth having their contract extended.
Because I have a warped sense of humor, I am passionately hoping the live video screen graphic for the score and game clock still says “SEA.”
The new OL Reign stadium has stated it will have 7k capacity. I was expecting at least 10k capacity. 7k is kind of low.
I just watched Bethany Balcer's interview by Marisa Pilla on Twitch. Bethany is such a Sweetheart! I am now even a bigger fan. Loved learning about crocs and sloths. https://www.twitch.tv/nwslofficial
Looks like, after all, the new incarnation of Reign will get its Japanese player anyway. Japanese international Yuka Momiki transfers from Nippon TV Beleza to OL Reign: 【Be】この度、籾木結花選手が、OLレイン(アメリカ)に完全移籍することが決定しましたので、お知らせします。籾木選手のプロフィールおよびコメントはこちらからご覧ください▶https://t.co/HvpGXafqMp#beleza #日テレ・ベレーザ #籾木結花 pic.twitter.com/2EMbzjI3i0— 東京ヴェルディ(TOKYO VERDY)公式⚽ (@TokyoVerdySTAFF) May 22, 2020
Goal Keepers (2) Casey Murphy Michelle Betos (2020) Defenders (8) Lauren Barnes (2020) Steph Catley Steph Cox Celia Jiménez Delgado Kristen McNabb Taylor Smith Julia Ashley (2022) Amber Brooks (2022) Midfielders (7) Morgan Andrews Allie Long (FED) Kelsie Hedge (R, 2022) Rebecca Quinn Rosie White Jess Fishlock (2021) Dani Weatherholt Forwards (7) Darian Jenkins Megan Rapinoe (FED) Jodie Taylor (2020) Bethany Balcer (2022) Jasmyne Spencer Yuka Momiki Sofia Huerta (2022) Drafted 33rd - Sam Hiatt - Defender 34th - Meg Brandt - Midfielder Out Lydia Williams Sammy Jo Prudhomme Scout Watson Jaycie Johnson Theresa Nielsen Christen Westphal Schuyler Debree Megan Oyster Morgan Profitt Bev Yanez Rumi Utsugi Ifeoma Onumonu Shea Groom Addison Steiner
Couple of updates in the past few days: As was rumored a while ago, Catley have left the team. I think there are multiple people on this team that can fill in at left back but I'll miss Catley. Speaking of LB, the Reign signed a new LB, Adrienne Jordan, from Birmingham City of the WSL. I don't know much about her so if others do please enlighten us As Seattle is still not allowing the full team to train together, the club opted to set up training camp on Missoula, Montana. Finally, I'm kicking myself here as I forgot to add the legendary Shirley Cruz to the roster, oops. Goal Keepers (2) Casey Murphy Michelle Betos (2020) Defenders (8) Lauren Barnes (2020) Steph Cox Adrienne Jordan Celia Jiménez Delgado Kristen McNabb Taylor Smith Julia Ashley (2022) Amber Brooks (2022) Midfielders (8) Morgan Andrews Shirley Cruz Allie Long (FED) Kelsie Hedge (R, 2022) Rebecca Quinn Rosie White Jess Fishlock (2021) Dani Weatherholt Forwards (7) Darian Jenkins Megan Rapinoe (FED) Jodie Taylor (2020) Bethany Balcer (2022) Jasmyne Spencer Yuka Momiki Sofia Huerta (2022)
I'm bored so I'm going to play a game of "guess the starting XI". As much as I would love for her to show up, I don't think Rapinoe will be at this tournament which is a shame. Hopefully we find out one way or the other soon enough. That being said here's what I think/hope the starting XI should be. I think which the glut of wingers/forwards, the formation will be a 4-3-3 Casey (GK) - Was one of the best players on the team last season and have rightly earned the starting position with Williams gone. Barnes (LB) - Not sure if this will happen but with the options available I think this is our best bet. Cox no longer has the legs to be a starter and the recently signed Jordan is still a rookie in this league. I can also see Delgado in this position Brooks / McNabb (CB) - We had a glut of CB last season but running a bit low here. The concern here is that this will be a brand new pairing that haven't played together before Ashley (RB) - Haven't seen her play before so can't say much but with Smith been out of action for so long I don't see her starting. I can also see Delgado in this position Long (DCM) - It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Allie Long in this team. I'm looking forward to her and Fishlock bringing much needed grit to that midfield once again. Fishlock (CM) - What can I say, I'm glad to see her back in that #8 role. Cruz (AM) - We haven't had a proper attacking mid/#10 in this team since Little left. I'm excited to see what Cruz can bring to this team. Jenkins (LF) - She was very impressive last year in this position so if Rapinoe is out I think she's a good enough backup Balcer (CF) - I think I have made it clear that I'm not a big fan of Taylor and Balcer have done more than enough to earn this spot. Huerta (RF) - Another player I'm excited to see on this squad. In general I'm most excited about watching the midfield trio of Long, Fishlock and Cruz. This is a very balanced midfield that has experience, grit, creativity, and most importantly everyone playing in the preferred position. Our frontline is actually pretty young with the exception of Rapinoe and Taylor. I like that they all have the right balance or speed and creativity and the ability to finish. For the first time ever I think our backline is the biggest place of concern for me. There are just too many unknowns. That being said, having Fishlock and Long back should go a long way to shielding the back line.
Unfortunately Julia Ashley is on the 45 day injured list. She's not reporting to Montana or to Utah -- she suffered a back injury in Australia and is expected to be out of action until at least late August. This keeps intact our horrible streak of losing a major signing for the year 8 years running.
I hope Rapinoe shows up -- and I won't have much good to say about her if she doesn't without a persuasive excuse. She's being paid (as are all the NWSL and NT members) and she should show up for work. However, I admit that I would be interested in seeing how the Reign do without Rapinoe. I want to see if Balcer is for real. I think she probably is, but.... I also want to see Huerta at her natural position as a right-wing forward. She's been mismanaged throughout her career, in Chicago and Houston, and on the National Team. I'd like to see her have a real opportunity to shine and see if she still has gas in the tank.
The Reign played most of last year by and large without Rapinoe so I think the team already knows how to play without her. Corona virus aside, Rapinoe have been load managed since after the World Cup so I can definitely see her deciding not to partake in a one month condensed tournament with proper training. With respect to Huerta, I think only new signing Momiki and to a lesser extend Spencer are competing for that spot so she’s definitely the fun runner. For me Balcer is the real deal and managed to shine last year in a team that was hit by injuries and World Cup absences.
So it' been confirmed that Rapinoe have opted out which I'm really not surprised. She's been on her last legs even at USWNT friendlies (which I think the players rate higher than NWSL) so it would have been surprising to see her in a 1 month tournament during a pandemic. She's most likely holding on for one more hoorah at the Olympics if she can make the squad. Only other player not in camp yet is Delgado who will be joining this week. On the one hand I do like watching Rapinoe play as she's my favorite player but I would really like the Reign to do well (and maybe win) this tournament and I think Rapinoe's presence might be a detriment to that goal. At this stage in her career and don't think playing in the NWSL is a major priority and I rather watch others who are more committed to that goal.
What I find funny is the local paper in Lyon ( Le Progrès) has a direct and quicker access to Benstiti than the local press in Seattle/Tacoma.
I'll bow to greater knowledge as to whether or not Pinoe is necessary for the Utah tournament (which may be the only NWSL ball that will be on offer this season) but not going to Missoula is a big slap to her teammates imo. if you're on the the team you're with the team, period.
I don't think there's any reason or intent to bypass Puget Sound media, just that Le Progrès is so eager for ANY little tidbit of news about OL that they just jumped on this faster, it's not the biggest deal at the moment in the US.
OL will host two two-week tournaments in July, one for the men and one for the women; Reign is announced as a possible participant. with the health situation here clearing up and AF announcing the resumption of flights nothing should really stand in the way. https://www.leprogres.fr/sport/2020...-deux-tournois-au-groupama-stadium-en-juillet
It might be tough to get the Reign involved since that's gonna be during the NWSL Challenge Cup. Now, if the OL women's tournament happens in the last week of July and bleeds into August, and/or the Reign gets knocked out of the Challenge Cup early, then maybe they could go... But pool play of the Challenge Cup ends on July 13th, and the final of the Challenge Cup is on July 26th.
That’s so random, bringing OL Reign into the tournament. That be like bringing in Lyon women’s team to NWSL tournament. Intriguing but weird. Sure it’s not the norm and not some regular season. More like only when we have a friendly of sorts or the ICC.
Uh not really random at all. It's not meant to be a stand-in for OL's domestic season - it's almost literally one of their normal preseason friendly tournaments.