Match Forecast: Seattle Reign FC visits Racing Louisville for midweek NWSL clash
Coming off a convincing 1-0 win over Chicago Stars FC in the club’s annual Pride Match, Seattle Reign FC returns to the road for a midweek match against Racing Louisville. Here’s everything you need to know for the match:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. PT at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky.
WHERE TO WATCH: Fans can tune in to the match on NWSL+ and locally on FOX 13+.
2026 NWSL REGULAR SEASON RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): Seattle Reign FC: 8-7-3 (27 points, 8th place); Racing Louisville FC: 6-11-2 (20 points, 13th place)
LAST MEETING
Reign FC squared off against Louisville at ONE Spokane Stadium back on March 28, with Seattle picking up a 2-1 victory. The Reign raced out of the gates to an early lead in the 10th minute when Maddie Mercado’s shot from distance snuck through the hands of goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer to make it 1-0. The home side doubled their lead in the 41st minute when Ainsley McCammon slipped a perfect through-ball to Nérilia Mondésir, who confidently tucked her shot into the bottom corner.
Louisville pulled one back late in second half stoppage time as Macey Blackburn’s header struck the crossbar and narrowly crossed the goal line.
SCOUTING LOUISVILLE
After struggling for much of the season, Racing enters Wednesday’s match on a three-game winning streak. Louisville has scored nine goals during that stretch, headlined by a 4-1 win over Boston Legacy FC in their last outing.
Lined up in a 5-3-2, Louisville dominated the entire first half but didn’t get on the scoresheet until the 44th minute, when Kayla Fischer twisted free in the box and curled a shot inside the far post. Katie O’Kane made it 2-0 from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute and set up Emma Sears for a third just six minutes later. Fischer rounded out the scoring spree in the 62nd with a volley at the back post off a pinpoint cross from Sears.
Boston managed to tally one goal five minutes into second half stoppage when Sammy Smith headed home a deep cross from Biance Rose St-Georges.
HEATING UP
Both sides navigated stretches of poor form earlier in the season, but have started to climb up the standings with a string of impressive results since returning to play in July.
After picking up just 7 points from their first 11 matches, Louisville collected 13 points from their last 5 fixtures.
The Reign, meanwhile, are riding a four-match unbeaten run and are averaging two goals scored per game in their last six matches. Even in Seattle’s 1-0 win over Chicago, the team took 24 shots, generating 3.3 Expected Goals, and were unlucky not to extend their lead.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
There’s no stopping Reign FC attacker Maddie Mercado. The utility forward has found a home out on the right wing, with four goals in her last six matches – including the game winner against Chicago. Further back a line, McCammon is quietly enjoying a breakout season as one of the brightest young players in NWSL. The 19-year-old midfielder has four assists, which puts her in the conversation amongst the top creators in the league.
For Louisville, it has to be their dynamic duo up top of Fischer and Sears. Racing’s striker pairing in their 3-5-2 system have combined for 11 goals and 8 assists on the season, including 6 goals and 2 assists in their last three matches.