Match Forecast: Reign FC Goes Head-to-Head with San Diego Wave FC

Seattle Reign FC continues their road swing against San Diego Wave FC this Sunday, July 26 at 2:00 p.m. PT. With a 1-2-0 record in July, Seattle will be looking to pick up important points against the third-place Wave team.

WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 2:00 p.m. PT at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

WHERE TO WATCH: Fans can tune in to the match on FOX 12+ locally or CBS Sports Network nationally. Reign FC will also be hosting a watch party in Seattle! Full tune in information can be found here.

2026 NWSL REGULAR SEASON RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): Seattle Reign FC: 5-7-2 (17 points, 12th place), San Diego Wave FC: 9-5-2 (29 points, 3rd place)

Key Info Ahead of the Match:

1. LAST MEETING – The Reign and Wave last met nearly 11 months ago at Lumen Field, where the teams battled to a scoreless draw. Both goalkeepers played a critical role in keeping their opponents off the board, as Reign FC had five shots on target, while the Wave had four. Prior to that meeting, Seattle beat San Diego 2-1 at Snapdragon Stadium, backed by goals from Emeri Adames and Sally Menti.

The upcoming clash marks the 14th all-time meeting between the Reign and Wave since San Diego joined the league in 2022. The Reign have the lead in the head-to-head series, with nine wins, one loss and three draws across all competitions.

2. SCOUTING SAN DIEGO – Currently in third place in the NWSL standings, San Diego most recently battled to a 2-2 draw with the Kansas City Current. San Diego scored first, just six minutes into the match when Gia Corley made a run down the left side of the field and received the ball, before crossing it to the top of the six-yard box to Trinity Byars, who one-touched it into the back of the net.

However, San Diego then conceded twice, giving up their lead. The Current found their first goal back just after returning from the halftime break, courtesy of Croix Bethune. A quarter of an hour later, they took lead when Temwa Chawinga found the back of the net. San Diego continued to push forward to look for an equalizer – and found it in stoppage time. Kristen McNabb took a shot that forced Kansas City’s goalkeeper to intervene, and Byars was there to pick up the rebound and direct into the goal to earn the Wave a point on the road.

3. FULL 90 PERFORMANCE – After scoring two goals in the first half in back-to-back matches, the Reign will look to post a strong first half performance again against the Wave but also work to bring that same energy into the second half.

So far, 13 of the Reign’s 15 goals this season have been scored in the first half of play, with the team most recently netting goals in the 14th and 22nd minutes of the match against Gotham FC. Seattle only allowed Gotham to take five shots in the first half, but allowed 13 in the second half, emphasizing the need to maintain pressure on both sides of the ball.

The two times Seattle has added second half goals this season, March 15 at Orlando and May 22 at Boston, the team earned all three points in the match.

4. PLAYERS TO WATCH – Reign FC scored two goals against Gotham FC this weekend – one from a first-time goalscorer and one from the Reign’s leading goalscorer. Mia Fishel recorded the first goal of the match from the penalty spot, making her first-ever NWSL goal. The attacker, praised for her holdup play, will be looking to continue the goalscoring momentum against a San Diego team that has conceded 17 goals in 16 matches.

Maddie Mercado, the Reign’s other goalscorer, extended her lead in the Reign’s golden boot race as she netted her fourth goal of the season last weekend. The forward has played in 14 matches this season and taken 20 shots.

San Diego attacker Trinity Byars has looked sharp this season, adding her fifth and sixth goals and first professional brace last weekend. She has played in 11 matches for the Wave this season, netting all three of San Diego’s second half-stoppage time goals.

Defensively, San Diego has conceded 17 goals in 16 matches and posted four clean sheets this season. Kristen McNabb has been an integral part of the backline, adding skill both offensively and defensively. She has played every minute of the season for the Wave, recording 11 tackles and seven shots