Maddie Mercado’s brace led Seattle Reign FC to a 3-1 victory over Chicago Stars FC on Sunday, October 18, as the visitors turned a narrow half-time advantage into three points at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston.
Mercado opened the scoring in the 38th minute before Nérilia Mondésir doubled Seattle’s lead in the 80th. Mercado then headed home her second in the 84th minute, leaving Simone Charley’s 90th-minute goal as a consolation for Chicago.
Mercado gives Seattle the edge
Seattle’s breakthrough arrived seven minutes before the interval, with Mercado finding the net in the 38th minute to establish a 1-0 lead that held through half-time.
The visitors finished with the statistical advantage to match the result: 60.4% possession, 18 shots and five efforts on target. Chicago managed seven attempts, with only one on target, underlining their difficulty in consistently threatening Seattle’s goal.
Late double puts the result beyond Chicago
At 1-0, Chicago remained within one goal of drawing level deep into the second half. Seattle finally created breathing room when substitute Mondésir struck in the 80th minute.
Four minutes later, Mercado added the decisive third with a header in the 84th minute. Her second goal completed a productive evening and ended any realistic prospect of a late Chicago recovery.
Stars substitute Charley pulled one back in the 90th minute, ensuring the hosts avoided a shutout. It was too late to change the outcome, however, with Seattle’s two late goals having settled the contest.
What comes next
Seattle leave Evanston with three points and a two-goal performance from Mercado as the standout contribution. For Chicago, Charley’s late finish offered a small positive on an evening when their attacking output fell short.
Both clubs return to NWSL action on Friday, October 23. Chicago face Houston Dash at 5:00 p.m. PDT, while Seattle take on Utah Royals at 6:30 p.m. PDT.
