Since July 4, Reign FC has gone on an absolute tear, posting a 4-2-1 record with a killer +4 goal differential, and they’re seriously surging up the standings. This team isn’t just winning, they’re looking like a solid playoff contender in phenomenal form right now. If you’ve been searching for that pure, unadulterated soccer joy, look no further, because the Emerald City has it in spades!
Mia Fishel Is Cooking, Maddie Mercado Is On Fire, and the Reign Are Showing Everyone How It’s Done
Let’s talk about what’s happening on the pitch for the Reign. Maddie Mercado is lighting it up, tied for 11th in the league with 7 goals scored, and five of those have come during this incredible summer run. She’s clutch! And Mia Fishel? Her star power is finally shining through, drawing defenses and opening up so much space for everyone else to make those game-changing runs. It’s beautiful to watch. What’s even wilder is this team is doing it all with the fourth youngest average age played in the league. They’re rebuilding while winning, proving you don’t have to sacrifice immediate success for future greatness. And get this: they’ve just signed Ami Diallo, one of Africa’s top scorers, adding even more firepower. Plus, Lynn Biyendolo is back practicing after her injury and maternity leave. The Reign are already on the rise, and they’re still getting better. You seriously need to spend some time watching them.
Defiance Proving Everyone Wrong, and UW Is Stacking Up Future Pros
But the good news doesn’t stop with the Reign. Remember how everyone wrote off Defiance at the start of the season, saying they were bare of talent? And then, during the Sounders’ injury crisis, many of their best got called up? Well, Paola Nagamura’s squad decided to win, frequently. After only one shootout win in their first seven games, they’ve completely flipped the script, now sitting at 9-4 with a shootout win and a shootout loss. While they won’t win the Pacific this year, you can bet your bottom dollar they’ll be causing major playoff troubles for other teams. The players who stayed then earned calls during the late injury wave, excelled against Chivas, and are shining in limited minutes. The cupboard isn’t bare, folks; Seattle’s soccer pantry is deep and incredibly well stocked with talent.
And speaking of talent, let’s not forget our college teams up at UW. Last year, the men won the title, and the women not only made the Elite Eight nationally but also won both the Big 10 regular season and tournament. Both programs are absolutely stacked with players who are destined for professional careers any day now. The women’s team sent more players to the US U20s than most NWSL teams did, and the men have seven players with Sounders Academy experience. The talent in Montlake right now is just undeniable.
So, if you’re ever feeling a bit down about the daily grind, remember there’s an incredible amount of top-tier soccer right here in the Emerald City ready to ignite that fan passion. Whether it’s watching the Reign dominate, seeing the Defiance cause chaos for playoff hopefuls, or getting a glimpse of our future pros at UW, there’s always a reason to get hyped. Maybe even grab a ball yourself and find a rec league! The future is bright, Seattle. Go find your joy in our incredible soccer scene!
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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