Nielsen and Denmark Qualify for UEFA Playoffs, Fishlock and Wales Eliminated

Reign FC
Reign FC
Sep 5, 2018 · 2 min read

After today’s slate of UEFA qualifiers, Reign FC players Theresa Nielsen and Jess Fishlock learned their fate regarding a spot at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

Nielsen and Denmark lost 2–0 on Tuesday morning to the group-winning Swedish side. A win would have given Denmark the group and sealed their spot at the tournament, but instead the team will participate in a four-team playoff with Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland to earn the final UEFA spot.

The draw for the playoffs will take place on Friday, September 7 to determine the opening round fixtures. The playoffs feature two legs for each matchup, with the first coming in October. After the first round, the two winners will advance to the final two legs in November, with the winner claiming a spot in the World Cup.

Tuesday’s results officially eliminated Jess Fishlock and Wales, denying the country its first-ever trip to the Women’s World Cup. Wales finished its eight qualifying games with a 5–1–2 record and 17 points, finishing just shy of a playoff spot. Fishlock provided the winning goal in Wales’ 1–0 win over Kazakhstan in the countries’ opening qualifier on September 17, 2017 and started in all eight of the matches. The Reign FC midfielder is the most capped player in Welsh women’s football history.

Reign FC forward Jodie Taylor will have the opportunity to represent England in the World Cup after the team won Group 1, joining Germany, Italy, Norway, Scotland, Spain, and Sweden as the European group winners. By hosting the tournament, France secured an automatic qualification to the 2019 tournament.

While Fishlock, Nielsen, and Taylor were competing for a World Cup berth, Reign FC players Morgan Andrews and Jaycie Johnson were part of the U.S. U-23 squad competing in the Nordic Tournament. Andrews and Johnson are coming home with a trophy after beating Norway on September 3 to win the four-team tournament, which also included England and Sweden. The United States bested Sweden 2–0 in the first match before registering a scoreless draw with England on August 31. Andrews was in the starting lineup for two of the United States’ three matches.

Fishlock, Nielsen, Taylor, Andrews, and Johnson will rejoin Reign FC before the team’s critical match in Portland on September 7. A win or draw against Thorns FC will secure a home playoff match for Seattle the following weekend. The rivalry match with Portland will be featured as the Lifetime Game of the Week and will kick off from Providence Park at 7:00 p.m. PT this Friday night.

Reign FC

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Reign FC

Reign FC is a founding member of the nine-team National Women’s Soccer League. #LetItReign

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