Seattle Reign vs. Racing Louisville

After a dominant 3-0 win over the Kansas City Current on Wednesday, Seattle Reign return to ONE Spokane Stadium on Saturday for a match in opposition to Racing Louisville. The recreation kicks off at 3:30 pm PT on March 28 and can air on ION.

Racing (0-1-1) is certainly one of six groups that prevented a midweek match and would be the most remaining facet. The Reign (2-1-0) is likely to be a little bit drained from their journey adventures and fast turnarounds, however they’re motivated to maintain the momentum from Wednesday going.

“This has been a really challenging two weeks on all fronts, emotionally, mentally, physically,” Reign head coach Laura Harvey mentioned concerning the Reign’s journey distances and points. “But I’m very, very proud of the group in the way that they responded and showed their true selves in big patches on Wednesday.”

Head-to-Head

The Reign have a 4-1-6 report in opposition to Racing Louisville, together with a 2-1-3 report at house. The groups love to attract in opposition to one another! The Reign have scored 16 objectives in 11 video games in opposition to Louisville and conceded 12.

Key departures

Racing Louisville, who made it to the playoffs for the primary time in 2025, did not have a lot turnover this offseason. They mentioned goodbye to simply two key gamers: midfielder Ary Borges and fullback Janine Sonis. They additionally did not renew Bethany Bos’ (previously Balcer) contract, who’s now enjoying for Dallas Trinity.

Key additions

Racing Louisville introduced in tenacious midfielder Macey Hodge to switch Borges. Hodge performs with plenty of depth and works laborious to win the ball; she’s by no means afraid to go in laborious for a deal with. Her relentless stress suits nicely with Racing Louisville’s enjoying fashion.

Key stats

• Racing averages 32.4% possession after two video games, the bottom within the league
• Louisville led the NWSL in 2025 with 5.9 correct crosses per match
• Racing has scored 3 objectives and conceded 4 in two matches
• Louisville averages 24.5 correct lengthy balls per recreation, essentially the most within the league

What to look at

Pressing on each side

Racing Louisville is a workforce that applies relentless stress to opponents and transitions rapidly and effectively. In 2025, Racing led the league in possession gained of their last third and had been sixth in interceptions. On the offensive facet, they reached the purpose sooner than another workforce, an indication of their direct, counter-attacking fashion. The Reign will must be good in possession and clear of their passing to restrict Racing’s transitional threats.

For the Reign, if they’ll break Louisville’s press, they’ll get into some harmful spots within the assault. That’s how the Reign earned their 1-0 win on the highway in opposition to Louisville final 12 months – with Sam Meza profitable the ball within the midfield and discovering Maddie Dahlien rapidly on the left wing. While Dahlien is unavailable for this match, the Reign nonetheless have speedy gamers who can punish opponents in transition. Can the Reign recreate these moments this weekend?

Crosses and set items

Like this preview from American Soccer Analysis notesgreater than 30% of Racing’s photographs in 2025 got here from set items, and 1 / 4 of the workforce’s season xG got here from corners and set items. Racing has aerial threats like Taylor Flint and Emma Sears, which actually helps. Flint gained 84.9% of his aerial duels in 2025. The Reign scored their first purpose off a nook kick on Wednesday in opposition to Kansas City, and seemed extra strong defending set items of their midweek match.

Louisville additionally led the league in crosses final 12 months, with a lot of these coming from Sears and Racing’s fullbacks. The Reign have not needed to cope with a high-crossing workforce but this season. How do they deal with Racing’s threats from large areas?

Next participant up

The Reign are nonetheless coping with accidents to a number of gamers, with Maddie Dahlien out for this match after touchdown a little bit awkwardly on the turf within the Reign’s midweek match. She joins Jordyn Bugg, Shae Holmes, and Mia Fishel on the harm listing – with Bugg and Holmes near returning and Fishel nonetheless a couple of weeks out. Coming off their midweek win, anticipate some rotation within the beginning lineup.

Who to look at

Emma Sears

Everything that Emma Sears makes appears to be like easy. She’s an unimaginable athlete with pace that appears manner too simple, just like Lynn Biyendolo in her prime. In simply two video games, Sears has scored one purpose and earned two assists. And simply have a look at her purpose, which got here from a league-record 81.5-yard run. She made it look simple.

The Reign are going to wish to restrict Sears’ potential to roam freely on the wing, and in the event that they get caught in a second like this, the Reign will seemingly attempt to sluggish her down with a foul nearer to half. Here’s hoping Phoebe McClernon and Madison Curry are up for the duty on that left facet.

Taylor Flint

The 6′ 1″ defensive midfielder, Taylor Flint, is so good at breaking up play in the middle of the pitch. According to FotMobshe’s in the 90+ percentile for virtually every defensive stat in the midfield, including tackles (97th), interceptions (100th), and blocks (97th). Louisville looks to Flint to help them progress quickly from the midfield. Reign fans can expect her to attempt progressive passes when she wins the ball – something the Reign will try to limit with their pressure and defensive positioning.

Jordyn Bloomer

The goalkeeper finished the 2025 season with the most saves per game, averaging 4.2 saves per 90. She’s continued that strong form this year – making 11 saves in her first two matches. She is a big reason that Racing feels comfortable pressing high up the field, as she’s come up big time and time again when they are stretched in transition. Can the Reign find a way to get around the Bloomer forcefield?

Matchup equipment

Injury/Availability Report

Seattle Reign

OUT: Lynn Biyendolo (Maternity Leave), Jordyn Bugg (Leg), Maddie Dahlien (Leg), Mia Fishel (Leg), Shae Holmes (Lower Leg), Cassie Miller (Leg – SEI)

Racing Louisville

OUT: Savannah DeMelo (Illness), Marisa DiGrande (Maternity Leave), Olivia Sekany (Knee – SEI)

QUESTIONABLE: Mirann Gacioch (Lower Body), Maja Lardner (Lower Body), Quincy McMahon (Lower Body), Makenna Morris (Lower Body), Arin Wright (Upper Body)

How to look at

Seattle Reign kicks off in opposition to Racing Louisville on Saturday, March 28, at 3:30 pm PT. The recreation will air on ION.