The Reign are still searching for a win as they prepare to host Racing Louisville at Lumen Field on Sunday.
Both teams want to shake up their recent performances. Seattle is winless in their past six matches while Louisville has lost their past two matches.
Here’s a look at Sunday’s match:
The details
Reign (2-9-2) vs Louisville (3-4-6)
Time/place: 3 p.m. Sunday at Lumen Field in Seattle.
TV: NWSL+, Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network, KONG/KING 5+ (local only).
Radio: N/A
Series history: The all-time series is tied at 1-1-5 since 2021.
Here are the storylines:
Reliable to rival
Bev Yanez was named coach of Racing Louisville in November. The former star midfielder was a dependable player for Reign coach Laura Harvey and played for the club from 2014-19. Yanez made 123 appearances, helping the Reign win back-to-back NWSL Shields and reach the league finals in 2014 and 2015.
Harvey left the Reign in 2017 and returned in 2021.
Joining Yanez on Racing’s bench is assistant Carmelina Moscato. The Canadian hall of fame defender played for Harvey and with Yanez in 2014. And on the defensive line is Carson Pickett, who was drafted by Harvey in 2016 and played for her and former Reign coach Vlatko Andonovski (2018-19).
Striker on the way?
Haitian striker Nerilia Mondesir, is headed to the Reign, according to sources for CBS Sports. An estimated $200,000 transfer fee will be paid to French side Montpelier for the 25-year-old. Formal paperwork hasn’t been signed, but CBS is reporting the deal is for three years with a one-year option.
The Reign didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Mondesir would be the first player acquisition since it was announced the Reign was purchased by global investment firm The Carlyle Group and ownership of the Sounders FC, the latter acting as managing partner.
Seattle is getting outscored 25-13 this season. Bethany Balcer leads the team with four goals. Fellow forwards Veronica Latsko (leg) and Jordyn Huitema (back) have two apiece but did miss multiple games due to injuries.
Quotable
“They have a lot of great attacking threats,” Reign midfielder Quinn said of Louisville, whose offense ranks fifth in the league with 19 goals as of Friday. “They’re a team that can transition quite well. It’s really important for the holding midfield role to be able to nullify their threat, making sure that we’re connected with our backline to make sure that we’re maintaining our numbers and trying to keep them locked out so they can’t exploit us on that transitional piece.”