Maddie Mercado’s two-goal explosion on Sunday evening didn’t just give the Seattle Reign a massive 3-1 win over the Chicago Stars; it clawed them right back into 8th place, securing that final playoff spot after the North Carolina Courage stumbled against San Diego. That’s the kind of grit we love to see, fighting for every inch, especially with the regular season winding down.
Mercado’s Double Strike Fuels a Playoff Push
What a performance from Maddie Mercado! She got the Emerald City rocking when she opened the scoring in the 38th minute, thanks to an assist from Jess Fishlock. That first goal set the tone, but Mercado wasn’t done. After Chicago briefly pulled one back late in the game, Mercado delivered the dagger in the 84th minute, her second goal of the night, assisted by Brittany Ratcliffe. Talk about clutch!
But let’s not forget the heroics off the bench. Nérilia Mondésir came in during the second half and absolutely made her presence felt, adding the Reign’s second goal in the 80th minute with a beautiful assist from Sofia Huerta. Mondésir’s energy was contagious, giving the team that much-needed momentum to truly stamp their authority on the game. With goals flying in and the team clicking, it felt like everyone was in sync, pushing for that crucial win.
Reign Dominate From Start to Finish
If you watched the game, you saw the Reign were in control, but the stats absolutely back it up. We aren’t just talking about a win, we’re talking about a comprehensive beatdown. The Reign held a whopping 60.5% possession compared to Chicago’s 39.5%. And the expected goals? A dominant 1.19 for Seattle against Chicago’s meager 0.45. That’s not luck, folks, that’s quality!
Our attack was relentless, firing off 18 total shots with 5 on target, while Chicago managed only 7 total shots and a single one on target. Inside the box, it was no contest: 14 shots for the Reign versus just 1 for the Stars. We were practically living in their defensive third, racking up 33 touches inside the opponent’s box to their 9. The passing was crisp, too, with an 86.1% accuracy for Seattle, far outshining Chicago’s 76.9%. Even in the final third, where it matters most, our accuracy was 68% compared to their 37.9%. This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. The Reign showed everyone they mean business.
The Reign, now sitting at 13-11-4, are right where they need to be, but the job isn’t done. Next up, the team heads to Utah to face the Royals (14-10-4) this Friday, October 23. It’s the final road match of the regular season, kicking off at 6:30 p.m. PT and you can catch it on NWSL+ and Fox 13+. This isn’t just another game; it’s a chance to cement that playoff spot and build even more momentum. Let’s make sure our Reign continue to roar on the road!
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.
Leave a Reply