The NWSL Championship Preview: OL Reign vs. Gotham FC
After eight grueling months, 22 hard-fought games between 12 teams in the NWSL have been whittled down to the final two teams. Gotham FC and the OL Reign will play for the right to win the elusive NWSL title for the first time. History will be made in San Diego as two veteran teams have a chance to bring home the hardware and send off their respective superstars into the sunset. Here’s a preview of the NWSL Championship match.
OL Reign vs. Gotham FC: Saturday, November 11 at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT, CBS
The OL Reign and Gotham split the season series, with each team going into the other’s home stadium and winning. The Reign went to Red Bull Arena and won convincingly 2-0, while Gotham wrecked the Reign at Lumen Field 4-1. Hopefully, these two teams will come out to attack, and we see plenty of goals.
Mostly, the playoffs have been defensive battles, with teams not wanting to concede early goals and play from behind. This is the second year running that a team has gone from last place to the Final, first Kansas City and now Gotham. The NJ/NY-based club is not getting enough appreciation for the roster moves they’ve made to get here. It started on NWSL Draft night when they traded for Lynn Williams and drafted Jenna Nighswonger. Plus, the addition of Yazmeen Ryan gave them some much-needed depth in the midfield.
In their two previous 1-0 wins in the playoffs, the OL Reign have come out in two different formations—first, the 4-2-3-1 followed by a 4-4-2. The 4-4-2 gives the OL Reign a little more balance, and the second striker allows the front two to play off each other rather than relying on the lone striker up to receive service in and around the box. Laura Harvey hasn’t used that formation often, but don’t be surprised to see it again in the Final to combat Gotham’s 4-3-3.
Although we want to see goals, the Reign will likely come out with the 4-4-2 because they need to solidify the wings. Midge Purce and Lynn Williams possess the pace to burn, and the OL Reign likes having Sofia Huerta come forward occasionally. If at any point Huerta gets caught in a bad spot, or the OL Reign gives the ball away, Gotham will pounce and punish them.
For Gotham, the X-factor is Esther González because of her ability to take chances. González has been quiet since she scored in the regular season, but if given the opportunity, she gives Gotham a striker they’ve needed. Jenna Nighswonger has been scoring from left back, and Yazmeen Ryan has given them a huge lift in attack, but will it be enough?
A Fairy Tale Ending
One of the best storylines from the game is who will get the fairy tale ending to their career. Will it be Ali Krieger or Megan Rapinoe? Both have looked great through the two playoff games. It’s a shame they’re hanging up their boots because they don’t seem like they’ve lost a step. These are the two teams who have the most experience and veteran leadership.
While teams like San Diego and Portland emphasized giving their young players experience and finished as the top two teams in the regular season, the seasoned teams like the OL Reign and Gotham are in the NWSL Championship game.
When it’s all said and done, the OL Reign should come out on top. It would be a travesty if they didn’t come away with a single title during Megan Rapinoe’s career. This is the first time the Reign has flown under the radar and gotten to the NWSL Championship. Normally, they finish in the top two and lose the big game. It feels like it’s their time to learn from those losses and finally get over the hump.
Gotham has gone on a great run, but the OL Reign are deeper and better at every position. They’re my pick to be the 2023 NWSL Champions.
Prediction: OL Reign Win 2-1
Featured image via Getty Images
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