If you’re hot, you’re hot.
Racing Louisville FC fell behind early Wednesday, but thanks to another brace from Emma Sears, Racing came back to secure a 2-1 victory over Seattle Reign FC at Lynn Family Stadium. The victory both extended Louisville’s winning streak to a club-record four games and made it five wins from the last six overall.
The visiting Reign found the opener early through Maddie Mercado. But minutes later, Sears answered with an equalizer before registering a game winner on the other side of the half.
Racing continues to rocket up the NWSL table, advancing to 12th place, just four points off a playoff spot. This also marked Racing’s first-ever regular season win over Seattle, snapping a four-match losing skid against the Reign, dating back to August 2024.
Racing has clawed back its season thanks to its attack, tallying 11 goals during the four-game winning streak.
“I can’t be more proud of the group and the form that they’re currently in,” said head coach Bev Yanez. “… I did think we started a bit slow, which I think that’s fair to say, but the reaction of the group is unbelievable.”
Seattle, a team known for its first-half goal production this year, came out on the front foot. The Reign’s leading scorer Mercado made a period of sustained pressure pay off, netting a left-footed opener in the 19th minute.
“I think it’s really powerful after we get scored on to come together and kind of regroup,” said midfielder Taylor Flint. “… (Arin Wright) made sure we came together and kind of regrouped and knew that it was so early in the game and we have the entire game to get one back. Our response was fantastic.”
Louisville grew into the match once Lauren Milliet provided a delicate touch that sent Sears on her way for an equalizer. The two connected again in the second half to make it a second brace in three games. Milliet also became the first player to hit double digits in career Racing assists.
Now trailing, Seattle didn’t waver, taking the game’s last 11 shots. Urged on by its home fans, Racing, however, held on for another three points.
“There’s a lot of belief with this group,” Milliet said. “I think we’ve just kind of been snowballing, and for us, it’s just game by game, brick by brick. We’ve been laying our bricks really well. Our foundation feels really steady, and I think we’ve kind of clawed back a bit of our identity, and you can see that on the pitch.”
Eyeing a fifth win in a row, Louisville travels this weekend for a matinee meeting with last-place Chicago Stars FC. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET Sunday. It will mark the second meeting between Racing and Chicago this month, with Louisville taking round one on Aug. 1 by a 2-1 scoreline.
Game Summary: Racing Louisville FC vs. Seattle Reign FC
Date: August 19, 2026
Venue: Lynn Family Stadium
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET
Weather: 83 degrees, partly sunny
Attendance: 5,285
Scoring
Racing Louisville FC (1, 1, 2)
Seattle Reign FC (1, 0, 1)
Goals:
Racing Louisville FC
35′ Emma Sears (Lauren Milliet)
52′ Emma Sears (Lauren Milliet)
Seattle Reign FC
19′ Maddie Mercado
Lineups
Racing Louisville FC: 24 – Jordyn Bloomer; 4 – Makenna Morris (55′ 6 – Ella Hase), 5 – Ellie Jean, 3 – Arin Wright (c), 15 – Mirann Gacioch, 12 – Quincy McMahon (83′ 21 – Rachel Hill), 20 – Katie O’Kane, 26 – Taylor Flint, 2 – Lauren Milliet (70′ 88 – Audrey McKeen), 13 – Emma Sears (70′ 16 – Maja Lardner), 9 – Kayla Fischer (83′ 42 – Sarah Weber)
Subs not used: 1 – Maddie Prohaska; 8 – Courtney Petersen, 10 – Macey Hodge, 23 – Macy Philippus
Head coach: Bev Yanez
Seattle Reign FC: 1 – Claudia Dickey; 11 – Sofia Huerta (c), 23 – Jordyn Bugg, 21 – Phoebe McClernon, 22 – Ryanne Brown (63′ 24 – Madison Curry), 8 – Angharad James-Turner, 16 – Ainsley McCammon, 30 – Nerilia Mondesir (73′ 7 – Emeri Adames), 12 – Holly Ward (62′ 5 – Maddie Dahlien), 2 – Maddie Mercado, 19 – Mia Fishel (63′ 17 – Sally Menti)
Subs not used: 38 – Cassie Miller; 14 – Emily Mason, 25 – Shae Holmes, 33 – Ruby Hladek
Head coach: Laura Harvey
Stats Summary: Racing Louisville FC / Seattle Reign FC
Shots: 8 / 22
Shots on Goal: 3 / 5
Expected goals: 1.34 / 2.47
Possession: 34.1% / 65.9%
Fouls: 8 / 12
Offside: 2 / 1
Corners: 0 / 12
Discipline Summary
Seattle Reign FC:
33′ Angharad James-Turner (yellow)
Match referee: Brandon Stevis
