2020 OL Reign season explained

Club:OL Reign
Season:2020
Stadium:Cheney Stadium
Ownertitle:Majority owner
Owner:OL Groupe
Chrtitle:CEO
Chairman:Bill Predmore
Mgrtitle:Head coach
Manager:Farid Benstiti
League:NWSL
League Result:Canceled
Cup1:Playoffs
Cup1 Result:Canceled
Cup2:Challenge Cup
Cup2 Result:Quarter-finals
Cup3:Fall Series
Cup3 Result:7th of 9
League Topscorer:Canceled
Season Topscorer:Bethany Balcer (3)
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American:true
Prevseason:2019
Nextseason:2021

The 2020 OL Reign season was the team's eighth season of play and their eighth season in the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. It is the team's first season under new majority owner OL Groupe, the parent company of French soccer clubs Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique Lyonnais Féminin,[1] and the resultant new team name.[2]

After leading the team for the past two seasons, former head coach Vlatko Andonovski departed in October 2019 to become the head coach of the United States women's national soccer team.[3] Frenchman Farid Benstiti was named the third head coach in team history in January 2020.[4]

On March 12, 2020, the preseason match schedule was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.[5] As a result, the NWSL announced on March 20 that the regular season start will be delayed.[6]

On May 27, 2020, the NWSL announced that the 2020 Challenge Cup will mark the return to action following the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] The 25-game tournament, to be held from June 27 to July 26, will be hosted by the owner of Utah Royals FC Dell Loy Hansen. Subsequently, OL Reign resumed team preseason training in Missoula, Montana, on June 1.[8]

On June 22, 2020, the NWSL announced, in conjunction with the full rules and regulations for the 2020 Challenge Cup,[9] that the 2020 NWSL regular season and playoffs have been canceled.[10]

On August 25, 2020, the NWSL announced that the season will continue with the Fall Series, where the nine teams are divided into three regional pods and play four games each.[11]

Team

Roster

NameDate of birth (age)Previous teamNotes
Goalkeepers
1Michelle BetosApril 18, 20202018 Vålerenga
26Casey MurphyApril 18, 20202019 Montpellier
29Carly NelsonApril 18, 20202020 Utah UtesSTA
Defenders
2Amber BrooksApril 18, 20202020 Adelaide United
3Lauren Barnes (co-captain)April 18, 20202013 Philadelphia IndependenceLOA
13Celia Jiménez DelgadoApril 18, 20202019 FC RosengårdINT, LOA
14Steph CoxApril 18, 20202019Retirement
16Julia AshleyApril 18, 20202020 Adelaide United
19Kristen McNabbApril 18, 20202017 Virginia Cavaliers
23Taylor SmithApril 18, 20202019 Washington Spirit
27Sam HiattApril 18, 20202020 Stanford CardinalSTA
30Machaela GeorgeApril 18, 20202020 Santa Clara BroncosLOA
33Kimberly HazlettApril 18, 20202020 Portland PilotsSTA
99Madison HammondApril 18, 20202020 Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Midfielders
5QuinnApril 18, 20202019 Paris FCINT, LOA
6Allie LongApril 18, 20202018 Portland ThornsFED
10Jess FishlockApril 18, 20202013 Bristol AcademyLOA
12Morgan AndrewsApril 18, 20202018 Boston Breakers
17Dani WeatherholtApril 18, 20202020 Orlando Pride
25Kelcie HedgeApril 18, 20202020 Santa Clara Broncos
28Shirley CruzApril 18, 20202020 AlajuelenseINT
31Rosie WhiteApril 18, 20202019 Chicago Red StarsINT
Forwards
11Darian JenkinsApril 18, 20202019 North Carolina CourageLOA
15Megan Rapinoe (co-captain)April 18, 20202013 LyonFED
18Miranda NildApril 18, 20202020 Gintra UniversitetasSTA
20Sofia HuertaApril 18, 20202020 Sydney FC
21Nicole MomikiApril 18, 20202020 Nippon TV BelezaLOA
22Jasmyne SpencerApril 18, 20202018 Orlando Pride
24Bethany BalcerApril 18, 20202019 Spring Arbor Cougars
35Leah PruittApril 18, 20202020 North Carolina Courage

Competitions

All times are in PT unless otherwise noted.

Preseason

Thorns Spring Invitational

Regular season

On February 25, 2020, the NWSL announced the full, 24-game schedule for the regular season.[12] However, the regular season was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 22, 2020, the NWSL announced that the 2020 NWSL regular season and playoffs have been canceled.

Playoffs

On June 22, 2020, the NWSL announced that the 2020 NWSL regular season and playoffs have been canceled.

Challenge Cup

See main article: 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup.

Preliminary round

Preliminary round standings

Knockout round

Fall Series

Standings

Appearances and goals

|-|colspan="16" |Goalkeepers:|-|-|colspan="16" |Defenders:|-|-|colspan="16" |Midfielders:|-|-|colspan="16" |Forwards:|-|-|colspan="16" |Players who left the team during the season:|-|-|colspan="16" |Own goals for:|-

Transfers

For incoming transfers, dates listed are when OL Reign officially signed the players to the roster. Transactions where only the rights to the players are acquired (e.g., draft picks) are not listed. For outgoing transfers, dates listed are when OL Reign officially removed the players from its roster, not when they signed with another team. If a player later signed with another team, her new team will be noted, but the date listed here remains the one when she was officially removed from the OL Reign roster.

Transfers in

DatePlayerPosSigned FromNotesRef
January 22, 2020 MF [13]
March 4, 2020 DF Free [14]
March 4, 2020 DF Free
March 4, 2020 FW Free
March 6, 2020 MF Free [15]
March 17, 2020 MF Free [16]
May 22, 2020 FW Free [17]
June 1, 2020 DF Free [18]
June 23, 2020 GK Signed to short-term agreement [19]
June 23, 2020 DF Signed as National Team Replacement Player
June 23, 2020 DF Free
June 23, 2020 FW Signed to short-term agreement
June 23, 2020 FW Claimed off waivers
August 16, 2020 MF Traded in exchange for the team's natural first-round pick in the 2022 NWSL College Draft, $100,000 in allocation money, and conditional allocation money [20]
September 4, 2020 DF Signed to short-term agreement [21]
September 4, 2020 DF Signed to short-term agreement
September 4, 2020 FW Signed to short-term agreement
September 10, 2020 GK Signed to short-term agreement [22]

Draft picks

Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. Only those who are signed to a contract will be listed as incoming transfers. Only trades involving draft picks and executed on the day of the 2020 NWSL College Draft will be listed in the notes.

PlayerPosPrevious TeamNotesRef
MF Round 1, Pick 9 (9th overall) [23]
DF Round 4, Pick 6 (33rd overall)
MF

Transfers out

DatePlayerPosDestination TeamNotesRef
November 4, 2019 GK Team option not exercised [24]
November 4, 2019 FW Team option not exercised [25]
November 4, 2019 GK Free
November 27, 2019 DF Free [26]
January 16, 2020 DF
January 17, 2020 FW [27]
January 22, 2020 DF Player Elected Leave; retired on June 23 [28]
January 22, 2020 MF Retired
January 22, 2020 FW Waived
February 3, 2020 FW [29]
February 3, 2020 DF
February 10, 2020 MF Retired [30] [31]
February 13, 2020 GK Waived [32]
March 4, 2020 MF Free [33]
May 27, 2020 DF Elected not to return [34] [35]
July 31, 2020 GK Out of contract [36]
July 31, 2020 FW Out of contract [37]
August 4, 2020 FW Undisclosed [38]
August 12, 2020 DF Free
August 18, 2020 MF Free [39]

Loans out

StartEndPlayerPosDestination TeamNotesRef
November 4, 2019 March 22, 2020 DF For the 2019–20 W-League season [41]
November 4, 2019 March 22, 2020 DF For the 2019–20 W-League season [42]
November 5, 2019 March 15, 2020 FW For the 2019–20 W-League season [43] [44]
November 7, 2019 March 1, 2020 DF For the 2019–20 W-League season [45] [46]
November 7, 2019 March 1, 2020 MF For the 2019–20 W-League season
August 12, 2020 December 31, 2020 MF
August 14, 2020 November 30, 2020 DF [47]
August 14, 2020 November 30, 2020 FW
August 19, 2020 April 5, 2021 MF [48] [49]
August 28, 2020 December 31, 2020 DF [50]
August 28, 2020 February 28, 2021 FW
September 23, 2020 February 28, 2021 DF [51]

New contracts

DatePlayerPosNotesRef
November 4, 2019 GK Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 GK Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 DF Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 DF Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 DF Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 DF Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 DF Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 DF Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 DF Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 MF Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 MF Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 MF Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 MF Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 MF Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 MF Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 FW Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 FW Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 FW Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 FW Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 FW Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 FW Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 FW Team option exercised
November 4, 2019 FW Team option exercised
January 22, 2020 FW Signed to a new contract [52]
February 10, 2020 MF Re-signed [53]
February 13, 2020 DF Re-signed [54]
February 25, 2020 FW Signed to a new contract [55]
March 5, 2020 GK Re-signed [56]
August 12, 2020 DF Signed to a standard contract
August 12, 2020 MF Signed to a new contract
August 28, 2020 FW Re-signed

Awards

FIFA FIFPro Women's World 11

BBC Women's Footballer of the Year

Women's International Champions Cup

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: REIGN FC ACQUIRED BY OL GROUPE . 19 December 2019 . Reign FC . 19 December 2019.
  2. News: REIGN FC REVEAL NEW NAME AND BRAND IDENTITY . March 6, 2020 . OL Reign . March 6, 2020.
  3. News: ANDONOVSKI DEPARTS REIGN FC; NAMED USWNT HEAD COACH . 28 October 2019 . Reign FC . 28 October 2019 . January 24, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200124040414/https://www.reignfc.com/news/2019/10/28/andonovski-departs-reign-fc-named-uswnt-head-coach . dead .
  4. News: FARID BENSTITI APPOINTED HEAD COACH OF REIGN FC . 17 January 2020 . Reign FC . 17 January 2020.
  5. March 12, 2020 . All preseason matches have been canceled. National Women’s Soccer League. March 12, 2020.
  6. Web site: COVID-19 resources and updates for NWSL fans . NWSL . March 21, 2020.
  7. News: Levine . Matthew . NWSL announces 2020 Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret . 27 May 2020 . 27 May 2020.
  8. News: OL REIGN PRESEASON ROSTER UPDATE . May 31, 2020 . OL Reign . May 31, 2020.
  9. News: Levine . Matthew . NWSL announces 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret rules and regulations and awards . 22 June 2020 . NWSL . 22 June 2020.
  10. Web site: 2020 Champions Cup Presented by P&G and Secret Roster Rules . NWSL . 22 June 2020 . Friday, July 31 Short-term contracts terminate [...] The “2020 NWSL Season” will be defined by the NWSL as the number of games played by a team in the tournament. [...] There will be no “NWSL postseason/playoffs” in 2020....
  11. News: NWSL CONTINUES 2020 SEASON WITH FALL SERIES . 25 August 2020 . OL Reign . 25 August 2020.
  12. News: NWSL announces full 2020 season schedule . 31 May 2020 . NWSL . 25 February 2020.
  13. News: REIGN FC ACQUIRES MIDFIELDER DANI WEATHERHOLT IN TRADE WITH ORLANDO . 27 January 2020 . Reign FC . 22 January 2020.
  14. News: HUERTA, BROOKS, AND ASHLEY SIGN THROUGH 2020 SEASON . March 5, 2020 . Reign FC . March 4, 2020.
  15. News: MIDFIELDER KELCIE HEDGE SIGNED THROUGH 2022 SEASON . March 7, 2020 . OL Reign . March 6, 2020.
  16. News: COSTA RICAN MIDFIELDER SHIRLEY CRUZ SIGNED FOR 2020 SEASON . March 17, 2020 . OL Reign . March 17, 2020.
  17. News: OL REIGN SIGNS JAPANESE INTERNATIONAL YUKA MOMIKI . 22 May 2020 . OL Reign . 22 May 2020.
  18. News: OL REIGN SIGN DEFENDER ADRIENNE JORDAN . June 1, 2020 . OL Reign . June 1, 2020.
  19. News: OL REIGN ANNOUNCE 28-PLAYER ROSTER FOR NWSL CHALLENGE CUP . 23 June 2020 . OL Reign . 23 June 2020.
  20. News: OL REIGN ACQUIRES MIDFIELDER ROSE LAVELLE . 16 August 2020 . OL Reign . 16 August 2020.
  21. News: OL REIGN SIGNS THREE PLAYERS TO SHORT-TERM CONTRACTS . 4 September 2020 . OL Reign . 4 September 2020.
  22. News: OL REIGN SIGNS GOALKEEPER CARLY NELSON TO SHORT-TERM CONTRACT . 10 September 2020 . OL Reign . 10 September 2020.
  23. News: REIGN FC SELECTS THREE PLAYERS IN 2020 COLLEGE DRAFT . 17 January 2020 . Reign FC . 17 January 2020.
  24. News: REIGN FC EXERCISES CONTRACT OPTIONS OF 23 PLAYERS, OFFERS NEW CONTRACTS TO 7 PLAYERS . 4 November 2019 . Reign FC . 4 November 2019.
  25. News: Husted . Jeff . Kansas City NWSL Announces a Trio of New Players Ahead of the Holiday Season . 23 December 2020 . kcwoso.com . 23 December 2020.
  26. News: THERESA NIELSEN RETURNS TO EUROPE AFTER TWO SEASONS WITH REIGN FC . 3 December 2019 . Reign FC . November 27, 2019.
  27. News: REIGN FC ACQUIRES RIGHTS TO JULIA ASHLEY IN TRADE WITH SKY BLUE FC . 17 January 2020 . Reign FC . 17 January 2020.
  28. News: REIGN FC ANNOUNCES ROSTER CHANGES AHEAD OF 2020 PRESEASON . 27 January 2020 . Reign FC . 22 January 2020.
  29. News: SOFIA HUERTA AND AMBER BROOKS ACQUIRED IN TRADE WITH DASH . 7 February 2020 . Reign FC . 3 February 2020.
  30. News: BEV YANEZ ANNOUNCES HER RETIREMENT FROM PROFESSIONAL SOCCER . 11 February 2020 . Reign FC . 10 February 2020.
  31. California Storm . CalStormSoccer . 1234518821567811584 . March 2, 2020 . Recently retired from the Reign FC in the NWSL, Bev Yanez joins the California Storm! .
  32. News: REIGN FC WAIVE GOALKEEPER SAMMY JO PRUDHOMME . 14 February 2020 . Reign FC . 13 February 2020.
  33. News: 宇津木瑠美選手契約締結のお知らせ . 11 September 2021 . Tokyo Verdy . September 9, 2021.
  34. News: Defender Steph Catley Departs OL Reign After Two Seasons . May 28, 2020 . OL Reign . May 27, 2020.
  35. News: Steph Catley signs for Arsenal . 2 July 2020 . Arsenal FC . 2 July 2020.
  36. News: OL REIGN ANNOUNCES ROSTER MOVES BEFORE RESTART OF TRAINING . 12 August 2020 . OL Reign . 12 August 2020.
  37. 1356323939157299201. CelticFCWomen. ✍️ #CelticFC Women are thrilled to.... 1 February 2021.
  38. News: JODIE TAYLOR COMPLETES TRANSFER TO OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS . August 5, 2020 . OL Reign . August 4, 2020.
  39. News: OL REIGN RETURNS TO SMALL GROUP TRAINING . 19 August 2020 . OL Reign . 18 August 2020.
  40. News: OL REIGN SIGN DEFENDER ALANA COOK . June 16, 2020 . OL Reign . June 16, 2020.
  41. News: Green . Samuel . Catley strike seals Melbourne City's record fourth Westfield W-League Championship . March 21, 2020 . W-League . March 21, 2020.
  42. News: THREE REIGN FC PLAYERS JOIN MELBOURNE CITY FOR W-LEAGUE SEASON . 4 November 2019 . Reign FC . 4 November 2019.
  43. News: JENKINS JOINS MELBOURNE VICTORY ON LOAN FOR W-LEAGUE SEASON . 6 November 2019 . Reign FC . 5 November 2019.
  44. News: W-League report: Victory 0-1 Sydney . 14 March 2020 . Melbourne Victory . 14 March 2020.
  45. News: REIGN FC’S ANDREWS, JIMÉNEZ DELGADO JOIN PERTH GLORY FC FOR W-LEAGUE SEASON . 8 November 2019 . Reign FC . 7 November 2019.
  46. News: Morgan . Gareth . Glory fall just short after valiant fightback . March 4, 2020 . Perth Glory . February 29, 2020.
  47. News: OL REIGN ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL ROSTER AND STAFF CHANGES . 14 August 2020 . OL Reign . 14 August 2020.
  48. News: JESS FISHLOCK LOANED TO READING FC . 19 August 2020 . OL Reign . 19 August 2020.
  49. News: FISHLOCK AND CELIA RECALLED FROM LOANS WITH READING AND OL . 19 February 2021 . OL Reign . 19 February 2021.
  50. News: OL REIGN FALL SERIES ROSTER UPDATE . 28 August 2020 . OL Reign . 28 August 2020.
  51. News: CELIA JIMÉNEZ DELGADO LOANED TO OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS . 23 September 2020 . OL Reign . 23 September 2020.
  52. News: REIGN FC RE-SIGNS FORWARD JODIE TAYLOR FOR 2020 SEASON . 27 January 2020 . Reign FC . 22 January 2020.
  53. News: REIGN FC RE-SIGNS JESS FISHLOCK IN TWO-YEAR DEAL . 11 February 2020 . Reign FC . 10 February 2020.
  54. News: LAUREN BARNES RE-SIGNS WITH REIGN FC FOR 2020 SEASON . 14 February 2020 . Reign FC . 13 February 2020.
  55. News: BALCER INKS THREE-YEAR EXTENSION WITH REIGN FC . 26 February 2020 . Reign FC . 25 February 2020.
  56. News: Michelle Betos Re-Signs With Reign FC for 2020 Season . 5 March 2020 . Reign FC . 5 March 2020.
  57. 1339646256206000130. FIFAWWC. Here’s your 2020 FIFA @FIFPro.... 17 December 2020.
  58. News: THE 55 MOST VOTED PLAYERS FOR THE 2020 FIFA FIFPRO WOMEN'S WORLD 11 . 11 December 2020 . FIFPro . 10 December 2020.
  59. News: BBC Women's Footballer of the Year 2020 shortlist revealed - vote for your favourite . 12 February 2020 . BBC Sport . 12 February 2020.
  60. News: AROUND OL – THREE FROM OL FAMILY NAMED TO WICC BEST XI . 5 December 2020 . OL Reign . 4 December 2020.