**LOS ANGELES, Calif.** – The OL Reign defeated Angel City FC, 2-0, in their respective Challenge Cup opener thanks to a goal from forward Jordyn Huitema just after the hour mark and an own goal in the 77 ^th minute to secure the result. With the result, the Reign have now defeated Angel City in all five meetings across all competitions, their best record against any opponent.
Just one minute in, Angel City was able to put a shot on frame as No. 1 overall draft pick from the 2023 NWSL Draft Alyssa Thompson wriggled free through the Reign defense and was able to fire with her right foot, though Reign goalkeeper Claudia Jane Dickey had no issue coming up with the stop on the slow roller. Just over ten minutes later, Thompson was back at it again as she pulled up from a similar distance and let go of a shot that had far more venom behind it, though again Dickey was in good position to collect the effort.
The hosts continued to push for their opener and came close again after 37 minutes when Thompson’s energy created an opportunity through a corner kick after the forward’s effort near the endline ricocheted off Reign defender Emily Sonnett and out of play. On the ensuing corner, Angel City’s Paige Nielsen had her headed effort saved by Dickey, though the goalkeeper had to jump on the ball and smother after almost spilling the initial ball in.
It took until the game’s 52 ^nd minute for OL Reign to have a real quality look on goal, but their opportunity came through the right foot of midfielder Jess Fishlock who was on free kick duty just over 20 yards out from goal. Taking from just to the right of center outside the 18-yard box, Fishlock lined up a direct free kick that Angel City shotstopper Brittany Isenhour leapt to push away out for a corner kick that the Reign would ultimately fail to capitalize on.
However, in the 64 ^th minute, the Reign’s attempt to turn the match’s momentum in their favor took a huge swing as forward Jordyn Huitema pounced on a loose ball in Isenhour’s possession and calmly rolled home an effort from just inside the box into an open goal. Isenhour was on the ball and looking for a place to distribute when her touch was just loose enough to go beyond her reach, affording Huitema a chance to close down. Huitema then took the ball from Isenhour and pushed an effort into an unguarded goal for the Reign to take a 1-0 lead just after the hour.
The hosts were able to produce an effort on goal just four minutes later that very nearly brought the match level again, but forward Katie Johnson’s header from a lifted cross by teammate Savannah McCaskill did not have the power nor placement on it to get past Dickey and the Reign defense.
Instead, the Reign doubled their lead in the 77 ^th minute as Fishlock redirected teammate Megan Rapinoe’s corner kick in and eventually watched as the ball took a harsh deflection off Angel City’s Clarisse Le Bihan for the game’s second goal. Rapinoe whipped in a ball toward the near post that Fishlock was able to meet with her right foot, but that shot toward goal nicked off Le Bihan and rippled the side netting on its way in to give Angel City little hope of finding a way back in.
That goal was the final opportunity in front for either side, and the OL Reign continue their Challenge Cup successes of years’ past with a complete 2-0 win over Angel City FC on the road, who will feel as if their own efforts should have resulted in a goal at minimum.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights