INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS CUP – Women’s OL exports its brand image to the United States

A name speaks for itself. The Lyonnaises are taking advantage of their summer preparation to promote the OL brand in the United States during the International Champions Cup, a sort of unofficial club world cup in which their American franchise, OL Reign, also participates, from Wednesday in Portland.

Sportingly, the trip also offers good matches: Lyon will face Chelsea on the night of Wednesday to Thursday (6:00 p.m. local time) then on Saturday the winner of a confrontation between the United States champion Portland Thorns and Monterrey, winner of the championship of mexican opening 2021.

“OL are the only ones to have been present at all editions of this tournament since its launch in 2018. It’s a good test to face North American teams in the middle of the league”, says Sophie Sauvage, OL Reign representative to the NWSL, organizer of the prestigious North American championship. “The players are very motivated (at the idea) to fight for supremacy between the continents”.

An opposition between Europe and North America where women’s football is king: the United States are reigning world champions and Canada Olympic champion.

Pioneer in the internationalization of the discipline

In the process of being controlled by the American businessman John Textor, the French club is also taking advantage of this trip to perfect its ties with OL Reign, a franchise of the prestigious North American Championship (NWSL).

On Sunday, the Lyonnaises were able to attend in Tacoma (Washington State, near Seattle) the match won by the Reign in front of Gotham (4-1) and present their Champions League trophy to the public. On the same day, training was opened to OL Reign subscribers and young people from his academy.

“This platform between the two clubs belonging to the same entity is unique in women’s football. OL is a pioneer in the internationalization of the discipline. It is important for the influence of Olympique Lyonnais, all the more so after the late 2019 acquisition of Reign FC”, continues Sophie Sauvage.

“Since OL invested in the NWSL, the value of the teams has risen sharply. All have changed owners and attracted new shareholders. The championship has gone from nine to twelve teams”, further emphasizes the leader.

A royal workforce

For this trip across the Atlantic, OL did not do things by halves. Even in the heart of summer, all the major players of the club champion of France and Europe in title are present, from Hegerberg to Renard via the American Lindsey Horan, former player of Portland.

“The challenge is somewhat to determine who is the best team in the world even in an unofficial competition. Portland had beaten OL in the final in 2021. We know that we will play in front of a large audience in a good atmosphere”welcomes coach Sonia Bompastor, who herself played in the United States at Washington Freedom (2009-2010).

“The idea is to take advantage of this stay to improve relations between the two OL entities, so that the managers can exchange their experiences. Some of our players have played at Reign and vice versa”, concludes Bompastor. “This partnership is a strength for the club. Through our track record, the attractiveness is global. In the United States, in football, everyone knows OL Women”.