Match Recap: Reign FC races past Louisville in 2-1 victory

Seattle Reign FC picked up a 2-1 victory over Racing Louisville at ONE Spokane Stadium on Saturday. Maddie Mercado and Coco Mondesir grabbed a goal apiece in the first half, while Macey Blackburn pulled one back for Louisville in the 94th minute.

The Reign raced out of the gates to a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute courtesy of a long-range shot from Mercado. Sam Meza received the ball in a pocket of space in the final third before playing forward to Mercado, who spun her defender and curled a shot to the far post that snuck through Jordyn Bloomer’s hands.

In the 17th minute, Ainsley McCammon found Emeri Adames out on the wing, who cut inside on her left foot and played a teasing cross that narrowly missed the head of Holly Ward.

With Reign dictating the tempo of the game, Emily Mason produced a pair of clutch defensive interventions in the 21st and 23rd minutes to keep Louisville off the scoreboard.

The Reign doubled their lead in the 41st minute following a beautiful sequence of combination play.

Adames settled the ball out of the air following a defensive clearance and quickly found the feet of Mercado, who turned and found McCammon running into space. The 19-year-old midfielder then carved apart Louisville’s back line with a left-footed through ball to Mondesir, who took one touch to settle before firing her shot past Bloomer.

Louisville posted their first shot on target in the 52nd minute as Kayla Fischer burst through the final third and fired a shot from inside the box, but Claudia Dickey collected the ball easily.

Ten minutes later, Lauren Milliet played a cross through the box that found Sarah Weber at the far post. The Louisville striker shifted the ball to her left foot and fired close-range shot, but Sofia Huerta dove in at the last second and blocked her effort.

In the 77th minute, a defensive miscue on a cross into the box led to Milliet attempting to lob the ball over Dickey, but the Reign goalkeeper produced an athletic fingertip save.

Louisville nearly pulled one back with a flurry of chances in the 87th minute. First, Weber had a golden opportunity denied at the last second by a tackle from Mason. Then Rachel Hill’s ball to the back post was pushed away by Dickey’s flying save. Milliet looked poised to score on the ensuing rebound, but Angharad James-Turner blocked her point-blank shot out for a corner as the Reign held on for the shutout.

Racing got onto the scoresheet in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time when Blackburn’s header struck the crossbar and landed just over the goal line.

UP NEXT: Seattle Reign FC takes on Denver Summit FC for the first time ever on Saturday, April 4, simultaneously closing out their residency at ONE Spokane Stadium. Ticket to the match are available HERE.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

SEATTLE SURGING: One of the youngest players on the roster, McCammon has taken big strides forward in 2026. The box-to-box midfielder was fantastic on Saturday, putting in a solid defensive performance and repeatedly dissecting Louisville with her passing. In addition to her assist, McCammon posted two key passes, two interceptions, three clearances and five recoveries.

Playing alongside McCammon, Meza showcased the skill and tenacity that has taken her er from a depth piece on Seattle’s roster to earning a U.S. Women’s National Team cap in the span of a year. She helped shield Seattle’s back line all afternoon and was instrumental in repeatedly breaking Louisville’s press.

YOU GO, COCO: What start to the season it’s been for Coco Mondesir. The Reign forward showed flashes of her quality during her first year and a half in Seattle but was unable to translate that into goal contributions. Just four games into the 2026 campaign, and the Haiti national team star already has one goal and two assists for the Reign.

RIDE THE WAVE:Despite key players like Mia Fishel, Jordyn Bugg, Sally Menti and Lynn Biyendolo all missing time to start the year, the Reign have won three of their first four matches – all away from Lumen Field. The squad will wrap up their three-game stand in Spokane, Wash. on Saturday, April 4 as they welcome NWSL newcomers Denver Summit to ONE Spokane Stadium.