OL Reign earned a comfortable 3-0 win against the United States U-23 women’s national team on Sunday to open the Portland preseason tournament. Two goals from Bethany Balcer in the first half and a U-23 own goal in the second powered the Reign attack, while the defense only had to deal with two U-23 shots the entire match.
Tziarra King, Jordyn Huitema, and Bethany Balcer started on the frontline for the Reign, with Rose Lavelle, Jess Fishlock, and new Reign edition Emily Sonnett rounding out the midfield. Head coach Laura Harvey has indicated that she might be looking to play Sonnett outside of the centerback position, where she’s played most in the NWSL.