Match Recap: Mercado Goal Leads Reign FC to Victory Over San Diego Wave

On a sunny Seattle evening, Reign FC posted a strong win over the visiting San Diego Wave FC, thanks to a first half goal from Maddie Mercado. 

At the first whistle, the Wave were on the front foot, pressing the Reign into their own half consistently. The Reign settled into the match as the half progressed and took advantage of the high press, pulling together a seventh minute attack from a quick transition. After the Reign won possession of the ball, Angharad James-Turner quickly shuffled the ball through the middle of the field to Sally Menti. The midfielder released Maddie Dahlien in front of the goal, but her first-time shot went straight to the hands of Sandra Paños in goal. 

The Reign’s own goalkeeper Claudia Dickey was asked to stop a shot from Lia Godfrey just a minute later, but she easily grabbed the ball out of the air to thwart the threat. 

In the 10th minute, Dahlien attempted to get on the end of a through ball but was brought to the ground by Mimi Van Zanten. The play went to video review and the referee determined that the San Diego defender did indeed commit a foul and was issued a red card. 

With San Diego down to ten players on the pitch, Seattle found themselves in the attack often. In the 18th minute, Sam Meza drew a foul and a quick free kick was played short to Phoebe McClernon in the middle of the field. The center back served a ball to the back post, where Menti headed it across goal but couldn’t quite put it on frame. 

Meza had a chance of her own five minutes later as she flamed through the middle of the field with the ball at her feet, opting to take a shot herself, but the attempt rolled wide. 

In the 29th minute, Seattle took the lead in the match as Mercado and Dahlien once again showcased their connection. Sofia Huerta released Dahlien on the left side of the field and she wasted no time as perfectly placed a cross into the center of the box for Mercado to head into the back of the net. 

The second half got off to a slow start as San Diego crept into the attack. However, Seattle launched a counterattack as the match approached the 60th minute. San Diego started the play with a free kick, but the Reign defended it well and kickstarted the attack, but the Wave prevented the team from getting a shot off. 

In the 59th minute, a big collision near midfield saw Jordyn Bugg receive a yellow card and four minutes later, Menti registered the Reign’s first shot of the half in the 63rd minute, but it was an easy save for Paños. 

In the 66th minute, Dickey made a diving save to keep Kenza Dali’s free kick out of the back of the net and once again stopped a Wave opportunity from Kennedy Wesley in the 71st minute. 

In the final 10 minutes of the match, Ludmila surged into the box and Dickey dove to grab the ball first, resulting in a collision between the two players. Dickey left the field and Seattle used a concussion sub to bring Cassie Miller on the pitch in her place. 

Through seven minutes of stoppage time, the Reign kept San Diego off the board, preserving their undefeated record since returning to play at Lumen Field this summer.

UP NEXT: Reign FC plays a third consecutive match at Lumen Field on Saturday, September 12 as the team takes on Bay FC. Tickets to the match are available now: SINGLE MATCH TICKETS | SNOOPY OFFER | KIDS 12 & UNDER FREE

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

NO STOPPING MERCADO: Reign FC forward Maddie Mercado scored her eighth goal of the NWSL season in the 29th minute to give the Reign the lead over San Diego. She has two goals and one assist in her last three home matches. The goal also marked the 500th goal scored overall this NWSL season. 

DAHLIEN DISTRIBUTES: Maddie Dahlien assisted Mercado’s 29th minute from the left side of the field. The assist marks her third of the season. Last week, the pair combined to score the game winning goal against Houston, but Mercado assisted Dahlien’s goal. 

HOME SWEET HOME: With this result, the Reign remain unbeaten at home in the regular season against San Diego and are unbeaten at Lumen Field since returning from the summer break.