Reign FC Internationals Feature in Critical World Cup Qualifiers and Friendlies

Reign FC
Reign FC
Sep 3, 2018 · 3 min read

Several Seattle Reign FC players were in action with their national teams for a series of FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers and friendlies over the last week.

Jodie Taylor and the Lionesses punched their ticket to the tournament on Friday, August 31 with a 3–0 win over Wales. Taylor played an instrumental role in the match, picking up an assist and having several dangerous chances during the game. Taylor has scored two goals in England’s seven qualifying matches. England is back in action on Tuesday for its final qualifying match against Kazakhstan. A win or tie would complete an unbeaten group stage for England, who have gone 6–0–1 in their first seven matches, outscoring their opponents 23–1. Wales is the only side to earn a point against the Lionesses, as they battled to a 0–0 result on April 6. Taylor will be unavailable for the match against Kazakhstan after suffering a knee injury in the game against Wales.

Jess Fishlock and the Wales WNT (5–1–2, 17 points) have played all 8 qualifying matches and will finish second in UEFA Group 1. The Dragons can still qualify for the World Cup if they end up among the top four runners-up in the UEFA group stage competition. Tuesday, September 4 will be the last day of UEFA group stage qualifying, so Wales will be hoping for losses by two of the following three teams — Belgium, Iceland, or Denmark — to land one of the four playoff slots. Winning that four-team playoff in October and November would see Wales earn the final UEFA slot in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Defender Theresa Nielsen is with the Danish national team for two critical World Cup qualifiers, the first of which was played on Thursday, August 30. Denmark tied Croatia 1–1, thanks to an equalizer by Denmark in stoppage time. Nielsen was in the starting XI and played the entirety of the match. Denmark’s final qualifying match of the group stage comes against Sweden on Tuesday, September 4. Through seven qualifiers Denmark is 5–1–1 (16 points) and sit second in the UEFA Group 4 table. By beating Sweden, who are atop the group, Denmark can clinch a spot in the 2019 FIFA World Cup. With a loss or draw Denmark could still qualify via the playoff, but several results would need to work out in Denmark’s favor.

Adriana Leon joined Team Canada for a friendly against Brazil in Ottawa on September 2. Canada pulled out a 1–0 victory, and Leon came on as a substitute for the final 20 minutes of the game. The game was Leon’s 50th cap for Canada. Canada begins its World Cup qualifiers at the 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Championship in October. The tournament, which also features the United States, Mexico, and Costa Rica, will take place in North Carolina and Texas from October 4–17.

Morgan Andrews and Jaycie Johnson were both selected to the United States’ roster for the country’s U-23 team. Playing in the Nordic Tournament in Norway, the team secured a 2–0 win over Sweden in its first match on August 29. Andrews was in the starting lineup along with former Reign FC defender Maddie Bauer. In the next game on August 31, the U-23’s tied England 0–0. Beating Norway in today’s 11am PT match would make Andrews, Johnson, and the team champions of the four-team tournament. Andrews is in the starting XI for Monday’s game.

The international break wraps up on Tuesday, Sept 4. All Reign FC players will be back in Seattle prior to Reign FC’s last match of the NWSL regular season on Friday, Sept 7, on the road in Portland against Thorns FC.

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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