The Seattle Reign just stretched their unbeaten streak to four incredible games, snatching a massive 1-0 win against the Chicago Stars at home, and temporarily grabbing that coveted 8th spot in the NWSL playoff race. Maddie Mercado, our absolute dynamo, buried the only goal in the 53rd minute after some gorgeous combination play on the left wing. Let’s be real, this win wasn’t just a win; it was a statement.
Mercado’s Masterclass and Reign’s Relentless Attack
Mercado wasn’t just scoring; she was absolutely everywhere, firing off nine shots herself! That’s insane, and it proves why she leads the team with six goals this season. But here’s the kicker: while Mercado brought the thunder, the team as a whole *dominated* the stats sheet like nobody’s business, yet only found the back of the net once. We’re talking 24 total shots to Chicago’s paltry five. Twenty! Four! Shots! We had 55.5% possession and an Expected Goals (xG) of 3.33 compared to Chicago’s 0.32. That’s not just beating them; that’s outclassing them in every single metric. We had 20 shots from inside the box to their three, 44 touches inside their box to their nine. Our passing accuracy in the final third was nearly 68% against their 52.4%. The Reign were relentless, making it clear they were playing to secure that playoff spot. Even with the Stars holding a 12-10-9 all-time advantage over us, our squad came out and rewrote the script for this game. Changes like Holly Ward coming on for Maddie Dahlien, and Nérilia Mondésir for Mia Fishel in the 70th minute, showed the coaching staff was still pushing for more.
Holding the Line, Hitting the Road
This win pushes the Reign’s record to 8-7-3, placing them firmly in 8th place for now. It’s a temporary hold, sure, but it’s a huge psychological boost, especially with a brutal travel schedule ahead. We’re talking about a packed week with two road games that could define this team’s early season momentum. First up, the squad heads to Racing Louisville (who sit at 5-11-2) for a midweek clash on Wednesday. That game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. PT and you can catch it on NWSL+ and Fox 13+. Then, it’s straight to Kansas City for another road battle on Saturday. This is where the grind truly begins, proving if the Reign have the depth and resilience to solidify their playoff position. Can they keep that unbeaten run alive and prove to the NWSL that they’re a force to be reckoned with? Our Emerald City faithful are gonna be watching every kick!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Sounder at Heart.
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