It wasn't necessarily a vintage win, but on short rest defending their temporary home field, the Seattle Reign did enough to secure all three points against Racing Louisville. Maddie Mercado scored a weird one early, Nérilia Mondésir finished an absolutely beautiful one as the first half ticked away, and Claudia Dickey worked hard to keep Racing off the scoresheet until it was too late to matter.

Things started weird, as Mercado scored the opening goal on the first shot of the game, in the 11th minute. Carrying the ball outside the box, Maddie got a little window of space, saw an opportunity, and snapped off a quick curler. Racing goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer appeared to have it covered, but perhaps deceived by the quick trajectory of the ball or perhaps just experiencing a momentary lapse of focus, she allowed it to spill through her hands and across the line. Just like that, it was 1-0 Reign.

After that startling opener, the Reign had the bulk of the possession, but Racing proved able to find chances, and outshot the hosts 8-2 over the remainder of the half, with their best look a 22nd minute lash off a throw-in from Ella Hase, which missed...