This afternoon under perfect skies the Seattle Reign play their 16th game of a 24 match season and have yet to suffer a loss. On paper, they should be able to comfortably continue that streak against the Boston Breakers, a team with only three wins all season and sitting at the bottom of the NWSL standings.
But this is a parity league and you can't take anything for granted. Last week the Reign hosted struggling Sky Blue who were playing on short rest, and yet Seattle labored all game and was held scoreless for the first time this season. And then in one of the most difficult remaining games of the schedule in Western New York, they came back late to earn a road win. Seattle will have to play their best no matter the opponent to give themselves a shot to continue this historic undefeated streak.
One big boost will be the availability of Megan Rapinoe, who assisted on that game winner in mid-week. She's apparently still not fit enough to start, but even 30 minutes from one of the best midfielders in the world can't be dismissed — and not just for her quality but the width she brings to a team that often struggles to pull defenders wide enough to give Kim Little and Jess Fishlock space in the middle.
A win here would maintain the 9 point lead over 2nd place Kansas City, who (spoiler alert) are currently crushing Sky Blue on the road and would help set the stage for the full return of Rapinoe to the squad, which should be terrifying for the rest of the team's in the league.