The Reign will be looking to get back to winning ways when they welcome the Chicago Stars to Lumen Field tonight. In a twist, it was the Seahawks who got Friday evening’s slot at the stadium while the Reign are playing Monday Night Football.

Aside from the very top and bottom of the table, the league standings remain tight – a win tonight would see the Reign jump back above the Thorns to 5th place and move them within two points of second place, while a loss would keep Seattle in 6th place and only four points above the playoff line.

Despite being near the bottom of the standings, the Stars have gotten a result in four of their last five matches, which includes a 2-2 draw against the Reign in their previous meeting at Soldier Field in June. That game featured a Ludmila brace in a 3-minute span for Chicago early in the first half, followed by a late Reign comeback with a pair of goals in the final five minutes of the match. Overall, the Reign are 11-12-9 all-time against the Stars with 46 goals scored and 45 conceded, which includes an 8-3-6 record at home.

Keys to the game

Stay sharp in the 5 minutes after kickoffs
Keep track of Ludmila on transition opportunities
Go for the kill, don’t let Chicago stick around

Notes

Phoebe McClernon is available for the Reign after missing last week’s derby match due to a foot injury. Ana-Maria Crnogorčević is new to the injury list after picking up an ankle knock late in the week.
Today marks the 40th anniversary of the very first USWNT game, a 1-0 loss against Italy in the Mundialito tournament in Jesolo, Italy. Eight players and the team’s head coach from that US squad had connections to Washington, and the group will be honored during the match as part of the Reign’s inaugural “The Queen’s Match” festivities. “Reign With Legacy” bracelets will also be handed out to the first 1,985 fans through the gates.
There are no other events scheduled around the stadium district this evening, with the Mariners on the road and nothing on the calendar at the Lumen Field Event Center.

Injuries, absences, suspensions

Reign: OUT: Ryanne Brown (SEI – knee), Ana-Maria Crnogorčević (ankle), Hanna Glas (leg), Veronica Latsko (SEI – lower leg), Cassie Miller (D-45 - leg)

Stars: OUT: Cari Roccaro (excused absence), Mallory Swanson (maternity leave)