The importance of the matchup between the Chicago Red Stars and Seattle Reign FC this weekend cannot be understated. Both teams have National Women's Soccer League playoff aspirations and Chicago currently have the march on that as they sit in third.
For Seattle, a playoff spot can be achieved if they win their last four remaining games which include two playoff teams in the Red Stars and the Washington Spirit. Win these and they very may well be looking at a postseason schedule. Drop points in any and the reigning NWSL Regular Season champions will be out of the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
Chicago can extend their lead on Seattle
The Red Stars are currently in third, five points ahead of Seattle and a win on Sunday will extend that lead to eight points. With so few matches left in the season, every point counts and Chicago will want to make their home advantage count tomorrow against a Seattle side that seems to be coming back to their dangerous best. Chicago can look at their home record against Seattle, where they have not lost a match to the Reign since the NWSL began, and use that as motivation to keep that streak alive for another season.
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher will have to be at her absolute best to stop the Reign. A player of the match performance from Naeher will also give her an edge in the national team goalkeeper depth chart where the starting position is now up for grabs due to Hope Solo's subsequent suspension and contract termination. Naeher has already stated that her focus is purely on the NWSL and it has to be. Five points could easily become two if she and her teammates are not at their best when they face Seattle. Anchoring the defense ahead of Naeher will be fellow US international Julie Johnston. This year, Johnston has not been at her imperial best but if anyone can stop the Reign's attack, it's the defender and her aerial presence will be a threat at both ends of the pitch.
At the attacking end for the Red Stars is Christen Press. Press did not have a good Olympics but in the NWSL, she has proven to be a deadly force in front of goal. Press has five goals so far this season and probably could have more if she not been called away on international duty. She is now assisted by Stephanie McCaffrey, who is enjoying life in Chicago and found her form again, and Sofia Huerta who has also had a good season so far. Given the right platform to perform by their defense, these three will cause trouble for Seattle.
Seattle are on the march
The Reign seemed to be done and out as the NWSL went into their season break for the Olympics but their first match after the break saw not only the return of Megan Rapinoe for the first time this season but a fantastic performance to beat Portland Thorns FC by three goals to one. Not only was each goal impressive, featuring two well-taken goals by Manon Melis, but the Reign looked as good as they have been all season with their quick passing in midfield finally counting in the offensive third and creating opportunities for the Reign attackers to try and convert into goals.
A change of formation by head coach Laura Harvey also seemed to stump their opponents on the day and this tactical flexibility that the Reign have shown on a few occasions this season will give Red Stars head coach Rory Dames plenty to think about for tomorrow. The tactical change by teh Reign can also be down to the versatility fo Merrit Mathias and Rumi Utsugi who both played as wing backs during the match against the Thorns. Both players have played at that position previously and it is not new for them but they can also play further up the pitch in midfield or in Mathias' case, right at the point of attack. Both players, who will likely start, could change the game for Seattle and give them the win they need.
As already reported, Seattle will be without the services of Solo for the rest of the season due to personal leave. Hayley Kopmeyer has filled in well for the veteran goalkeeper and will likely continue to do so. She will have a difficult test against the Red Stars and will want to reward the faith shown to her by Solo and the Reign staff by helping her team win on Sunday. Manon Melis and Nahomi Kawasumi seemed to have found a winning connection which will be needed against a sturdy Red Stars back line. Melis has five goals and two assists so far while Kawasumi is on three goals and one assist since her arrival back to Seattle. The two seem to find the right positioning all the time to threaten teams and Melis' pace, no matter where Harvey plays her, will be something to keep an eye on tomorrow.
The midfield battle will be one to watch
Both teams have probably two of the strongest midfields in the NWSL and it could be whoever wins that battle that ultimately decides the outcome of this match. For the Red Stars, Vanessa DiBernardo and Danielle Colaprico have been outstanding since they first entered the league and there have been continual calls for them to be called up the national team. Those calls have not been unfounded as DiBernardo has been the most creative player on the Red Stars this season with five assists. Not only has she racked up the assists but most of what Chicago does goes through DiBernardo. Just behind her in midfield, Colaprico is also in fine form this season. Chicago's tempo is often dictated by the defensive midfielder and she has done a sterling job in protecting her back line will still getting forward to get a goal and two assists for herself as well.
The Reign's midfield is well-known. The triumvirate of Kim Little, Jess Fishlock, and Keelin Winters work very well together and when on song, can trouble every team in the league. Little is the most creative of the three but the heartbeat of the team is Fishlock. Her late runs from midfield and eye for a pass usually unlock most teams in the league and Seattle find themselves in fifth because the above mentioned three have not been playing well consistently enough this season. If they can click on Sunday, Chicago will not be able to stop the likes of Melis and Kawasumi from barraging their goal. If they do not, then Seattle may see themselves returning to the Pacific North West with nothing to show for their trip.
Prediction
Chicago Red Stars 1, Seattle Reign FC 2.