OL Reign international roundup: Fishlock, Huitema score goals
Seven OL Reign players represented their countries during the latest FIFA international window, which fell somewhat awkwardly in the middle of the NWSL playoffs. Alana Cook, Sofia Huerta, and Emily Sonnett were called up for two U.S. friendlies against Colombia; Quinn and Jordyn Huitema joined Canada for two games against Reign teammate Angelina and Brazil; and Jess Fishlock and Wales played in two UEFA Women's Nations League matches.
Here's a roundup of Reign performances during international duty.
While the other Reign players were competing in friendlies during this FIFA window, Jess Fishlock and Wales had something on the line in the UEFA Women's Nations League, which serves as a qualifying tournament for the 2024 Olympics and 2025 Euro. Wales was placed into the top tier for these matches, which has put them up against some of the best teams in Europe.
Traveling to Germany and Denmark for the two games, Fishlock started both matches and was involved in both goals that Wales scored.
Although she didn't get on the scoresheet, Fishlock's movement and vision resulted in a beautiful team goal that equalized against Germany on Friday, Oct. 27.
Total football.
â BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) October 27, 2023
đŠđŞ Germany 1-1 Wales đ´ó §ó ˘ó ˇó Źó łó ż
đş Watch LIVE on @BBCTwo Wales and @BBCiPlayer
Commentary on @BBCRadioWales Extra, @BBCRadioCymru2, @BBCSounds and via @BBCSport website & app đ˛ #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/eVAbEOUnV8
While the goal was gorgeous, Wales couldn't contain Germany in the second half and ultimately fell 5-1. The Reign midfielder went 90 minutes.
Fishlock scored in the 72nd minute to bring the match to 2-1 against Denmark on Tuesday, Oct. 31, but Wales couldn't find the equalizer. Fishlock again played 90 minutes for Wales before the long journey back to Seattle.
The Cymru press đĽ#TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/s1UoXmx8O3
â Wales đ´ó §ó ˘ó ˇó Źó łó ż (@Cymru) October 31, 2023
Canada and Brazil faced off in two friendly matches during the FIFA window. Quinn went 90 minutes in Canada's opening match against Brazil in Montreal on Saturday, Oct. 28, while Jordyn Huitema subbed on in the 57th minute. Canada struggled to contain Brazil's dynamic attack but held on for what was shaping up to be a scoreless draw before Debinha found a 94th-minute goal to give Brazil the win.
Huitema and Quinn both started Canada's second match on Tuesday, Oct. 31 â a chilly affair in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Huitema opened the scoring for Canada in the 70th minute, heading in a cross to notch her 30th goal involvement for the national team. Huitema, who was named player of the match, came off for Christine Sinclair in the 78th minute. Quinn went 73 minutes in Canada's 2-0 win.
GOAL! Ashley Lawrence puts a perfect ball into the box and Huitema heads home the opener!!! đ@CANWNT đ¨đŚ 1-0 đ§đˇpic.twitter.com/sRjDjgViqq
â CANWNT (@CANWNT) November 1, 2023
On the other end, Angelina got her first start for Brazil since tearing her ACL last year and went 90 minutes in the second match. She also played the final 20 minutes in the opening game of the pair.
Cook and Sonnett started both matches against Colombia â first on Thursday, Oct. 26, and again on Sunday, Oct. 29. Both players went 90 minutes in a scoreless draw to open the two-game series.
Sonnett â again playing in the midfield for the U.S. â assisted the opening goal in the second match. Her cross found Mia Fishel's head, resulting in Fishel's first goal for the senior national team.
GONE FISHIN' đŁđŁđŁđŁđŁ pic.twitter.com/8t7ACJIwAx
â U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 29, 2023
Sonnett and Cook both went 90 minutes in the 3-o win, and teammate Sofia Huerta subbed into the match in the 62nd minute.
The FIFA window concluded on Oct. 31, and all Reign players are now back with the squad â and appear to all be healthy â in preparation for their semifinal match against the San Diego Wave. That game kicks off Sunday, Nov. 5, at 6:30 PM PT and will air on CBS Sports Network.