Reign advance to NWSL semifinal with 1-0 win over Angel City

By: Susie Rantz, The Associated Press Posted: 12:07 AM CDT Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023

SEATTLE (AP) — Veronica Latsko scored in the 87th minute to give OL Reign a 1-0 victory over Angel City on Friday night in the opening round of the National Women's Soccer League playoffs.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

SEATTLE (AP) — Veronica Latsko scored in the 87th minute to give OL Reign a 1-0 victory over Angel City on Friday night in the opening round of the National Women's Soccer League playoffs.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/10/2023 (1076 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SEATTLE (AP) — Veronica Latsko scored in the 87th minute to give OL Reign a 1-0 victory over Angel City on Friday night in the opening round of the National Women’s Soccer League playoffs.

Phoebe McClernon whipped a cross into the box and Latsko beat her defender to score from close range at Seattle’s Lumen Field, giving the Reign its first playoff victory since 2015.

The Reign will head to San Diego to take on the Wave in a semifinal match on Nov. 5.

Angel City FC defender Madison Hammond (99) falls against OL Reign forward Veronica Latsko (24) during the first half of an NWSL quarterfinal playoff soccer match Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

The first half was a defensive battle, as the two teams combined for just five shots — the fewest in any half of a postseason match in NWSL history.

The Reign took control in the second half. Latsko had a shot ping off the post, and Megan Rapinoe — playing in her final home game after 11 seasons with the Reign — had a hard shot saved in the 53rd minute.

Angel City was held to just one shot in the second half.

“It was difficult. I mean, obviously two really well organized teams, two teams in form, couldn’t really break each other down. A few chances on either side,” Rapinoe said. “But I felt like once the second half started, we started to gain that momentum. It was just a matter of time — took a little bit longer than we would have liked, but eventually got it in the end.”

The game also marked the return of Rose Lavelle in the 64th minute, who had been out with a knee injury since Sept. 3. Just minutes before Latsko’s goal, Lavelle forced Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson to push her shot from distance out for a corner kick.