Match Forecast: Reign FC Primed for Battle with Racing Louisville

Seattle Reign FC takes to the road this evening to face off with Racing Louisville FC. Both sides are coming off a weekend of wins and will be looking to pick up crucial points as the push for a playoff position continues. 

WHEN AND WHERE: Seattle Reign FC kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. PT at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky.  

WHERE TO WATCH: Fans can tune in on Ion to watch the match. 

2024 NWSL REGULAR SEASON RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): Seattle Reign FC: 3-9-5 (14 points, 12th place), Racing Louisville FC: 4-6-7 (19 points, 9th place) 

Key Points Ahead of the Match: 

1. LAST MEETING – Seattle Reign FC and Racing Louisville FC last met in June of this year at Lumen Field. The match featured a ninth minute red card for Racing defender Arin Wright, which also resulted in a penalty kick for the Reign that was used to gain the lead in the match. However, in the dying minutes of the match, forward Reilyn Turner found an equalizer, forcing the Reign to split the points at home. 

The last six regular season meetings with Louisville have ended in draws after the Reign won the first meeting, 2-0 in July 2021. This is one of two fixtures in NWSL history to finish in a draw in six successive regular season meetings. 

2. SCOUTING LOUISVILLE – The Kentucky based team currently sits in ninth place in the NWSL standings with 19 points and a record of four wins, six losses and nine draws. 

Heading into the week, the team was in eighth place, occupying the last playoff spot in the standings. They were boosted to that position with a 3-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars last weekend at Lynn Family Stadium. The victory saw goals scored by Uchenna Kanu, Marisa DiGrande and Kayla Fischer. 

Racing Louisville FC currently has four players out for the match – Jordyn Bloomer (knee), Kirsten Wright (SEI – knee), Elli Pikkujämsä (SEI – knee) and Courtney Petersen (excused absence). No players are questionable for the match, while Milly Clegg (NZL) is on international duty. 

“I think every team in this league carries their threats to each game. That's why the NWSL is so fun. So yeah, I think that they definitely do have strengths that we're looking to kind of nullify, as does most teams in the league,” said Seattle Reign FC forward Jordyn Huitema. “I think the main focus is more so on us and just making sure that we're in a good space. I think that when we do us better, then that's what works for us. So, the main focus has more so been on our team and what we're going to deliver.” 

3. KEEP CREATING – Last match against North Carolina Courage, the Reign earned a 1-0 win, ending a nine-match regular season winless run. Though the team only recorded one goal, they created a plethora of chances, taking 17 shots. The team will look to continue creating opportunities in the attack and focus on converting. 

“Yeah, honestly, I think the biggest thing as teams and coaches is creating those key and quality opportunities. If we weren't creating them, I think we'd be going back to the drawing board every week, but I think what it showed against Carolina was some great football, some players in the right spots that they knew that they needed to be and they created amazing chances,” said Head Assistant Coach Scott Parkinson. 

Parkinson, who joined the club ahead of the 2023 season, will act as the team’s head coach this weekend, as Laura Harvey did not travel with the team due to illness. 

4. SETTLING IN – The Reign had a summer full of roster moves and signings. Players are continuing to settle in with the club and make an impact on the field. Last match saw three debuts, as forward Ana-Maria Crnogorčević started the match and midfielder Jaelin Howell and forward Nérilia Mondésir subbed in together in the 75th minute. 

Forward Emeri Adames and defender Jordyn Bugg, who both featured for the Reign last week, are now out on international duty as they compete with the United States in the U-20 World Cup. 

“I think the environment here is honestly - it's so tactical and football related, nothing really goes to waste. We don't just come out and pass balls around and have like kind of off days. There's always a purpose and the players always want a purpose, they want to feel like they're getting better at something. I think with all the new players around, it's kind of going over principles or old things just to get them on board with kind of who we want to be and how we want to be as a team. So again, lots of information, lots of meetings, lots of conversations and chats. But honestly, they've been absolutely brilliant and yeah, the sessions are always good,” said Parkinson. 

MultiCare Availability Report: 

OUT  

Ryanne Brown (SEI – knee) 

Olivia Van der Jagt (excused absence) 

QUESTIONABLE 

None 

INTERNATIONAL 

Emeri Adames (USA) 

Jordyn Bugg (USA)