Match Recap: Seattle Reign FC Wins 3-1 in Chicago
Seattle Reign picked up a crucial win in Chicago, lifted to victory by goals from Maddie Mercado and Nerilia Mondesir.
In their first big attacking play of the night, it looked as though the Reign had taken the lead as Jess Fishlock found herself wide open in the 18-yard box, but after she directed it into the back of the net, she was ruled offside and match remained 0-0.
Seattle enjoyed the vast majority of possession through the first half, shifting the ball around the field waiting for their moment to strike. However, a few minutes before the half hour mark of the match, Chicago got their first real attacking opportunity of the match. In the same play, they earned the first corner kick of the match, but Seattle easily thwarted the danger.
In the 33rd minute of the match, Fishlock nearly found the back of the net once again as she got her head on the end of a cross, but there wasn’t enough power on it to make it past Halle Mackiewicz in the net.
The Reign finally earned their lead in the 38th minute of the match on a picture-perfect build up play, beginning with a long ball across the field from Ainsley McCammon to the feet of Fishlock on the left side of the field. The Welsh midfielder centered the ball to a running Mercado, who took it off her chest before slotting it into the back of the net.
At the start of the second half, Chicago came out with more energy, but the Reign quickly matched that tempo. Brianna Pinto sent a warning sign in 67th minute, firing off a shot from outside the 18-yard box that went just off frame.
A flurry of substitutes provided solid reinforcements for the Reign, as proven by Mondesir’s 80th minute goal. After Sofia Huerta had her cross intercepted by a Chicago defender, it fell to the feet of Fishlock in the center of the field and she recycled it right back to the defender. This time, she found the feet of Mondesir at the six-yard box and the Haitian attacker made no mistakes as she took a touch and got her hips around the ball to beat Mackiewicz and double Reign FC’s lead.
Seattle wasn’t done scoring though, as Mercado added a second to her tally in the 84th minute. This time, Brittany Ratcliffe, another second half substitute, crossed the ball into Mercado, who used her head to make it 3-0.
In the 90th minute, Simone Charlie pulled one goal back for Chicago, but it wasn’t enough as Reign FC won 3-1 at the final whistle.
UP NEXT: Seattle Reign FC continues their road stretch, traveling to take on Utah Royals FC on Friday, October 23. Fans can tune in to the match on NWSL+.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
EXTENDING HER LEAD: Maddie Mercado got back on the scoresheet this match, scoring her ninth and tenth goals of the season, extending her lead as Reign FC’s leading goalscorer this season and becoming the 14the NWSL player this season with 10+ goals.
INSTANT IMPACT: It took less than six minutes for Nerilia Mondesir to find the back of the net after subbing onto the field. It marked her second goal of the season.
PLAYOFF POSITION: With this win, the Reign are back above the playoff line, in 8th place with 43 points. Reign FC’s next opponent, Utah Royals FC, are in the 6th place with 46 points, emphasizing the importance of the match.