After having what was to be their first NWSL Fall Series match against rival Portland Thorns FC postponed twice by wildfire smoke, OL Reign finally kicked off their campaign in the competition with a 2-2 draw against the Utah Royals FC, in which 4 goals were exchanged in the first 30 minutes.
Like all other teams in the league, the NWSL Fall Series provides OL Reign head coach Farid Benstiti an opportunity to give minutes to players that normally wouldn’t make the starting eleven when the club is at full strength. Benstiti’s starting elven for the match was a mix of first-team and spot-starters when other players are on international duty, but over the course of the match, we saw the debuts of forward Leah Pruitt and defender Madison Hammond.