Reign 1 Racing 1 Post Match Thoughts
Courtesy USA Today Sports Images
Racing stole a precious point, and remain in 8th place. Turner was the hero, and Howell showed her value to this team.
In my pre match piece I stated that we could learn something about this team if they didn't get all three points. For as good as the draw felt, I am not sure I learned much. I never doubted this team’s heart and grit. My questions have always been about their wisdom and poise. I feel pretty much the same way after this match. Racing is capable of producing moments of magic and frustrating ones too. Of all people, I was surprised that Arin Wright lost her head. In the world of VAR, I can't fathom carrying on contact into the box. It's something a player at some moment in the past might have had a chance of getting away with. Today…no shot. Getting sent off and having a penalty awarded is something that has come up as an opportunity for a rule change, as it is just about the most severe punishment in the game. However, the rules still call for both in this situation.
I really thought the match was over starting in about the 55th minute. Racing's levels dropped and truth be told, a good team would have finished off at least one of the several chances that the Reign had in the last 35 minutes. You have to give credit to Racing for continuing to fight when all appeared lost. This draw reminded me of what happened to Racing on their first ever visit to Orlando in 2021. That sucked. This felt much better.
Howell had a match. Racing has covered her absence fairly effectively, but this performance was a reminder of what this team can be with her in it. She had the freshest legs of all of the starters, and she ran the entire match. I don't think she plays 90 if things go to plan, but she subbed at centerback effectively until Jean came on for Flint (who is currently being evaluated for a head injury but is in stable condition). I questioned why Jean wasn't immediately put in and Bahr sacrificed, but ultimately patience by Bev was the correct decision. Howell won the header that led to Turner's goal. Her fight was one of the major reasons for the result.
Fischer looks much more effective in a substitute role. She managed to escape the match without a yellow card for once. I was a bit surprised to see DeMelo taken off, but it was 100% the right call. I think we all saw the formula for playing down a player that worked in the end (hold on until late and then go route 1, in this case a long set piece). DeMelo’s dribbling style isn’t really suited for route 1 football and nobody really wants to watch 90 minutes of it. Racing didn’t really go route 1 much and stuck to their game plan, but their passing became longer and more forward penetrating when Fischer came on. On this occasion, the substitute made tactical sense. I also wonder if Bev was looking to the Bay game when she made a sub. She was already going to be missing Arin Wright and possibly Flint. I think DeMelo’s being on 4 yellows could have had something to do with taking her off before the 60th minute. It was good load management regardless and it worked out for Racing.
