Match Recap: Reign FC Crashes Through San Diego Wave in 2-1 Win
In Head Coach Laura Harvey’s 250th regular season match, the Reign won 2-1 against San Diego Wave FC. The intense back and forth battle was decided by midfielder Sally Menti and forward Emeri Adames, who both scored to lift the Reign over the Wave.
The match was off to a quick start, as the Reign’s young lineup opted to apply heavy pressure to the Wave. It was clear from the start that San Diego’s attack was strong, with players like forward Delphine Cascarino displaying their skill from the get-go.
In the 7th minute of the match, Seattle had their first attacking opportunity, as the Wave backline miscleared a ball, straight to the feet of Reign defender Shae Holmes. Holmes attempted to settle the ball and passed it to Adames, who forced goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan to concede a corner kick. The short corner kick was cleared from danger by the Wave, but the Reign gave the home team a glimpse of the threat to come.
San Diego enjoyed the vast majority of possession in the half, but the Reign dealt with it well. The 14th minute of the match brought a yellow card for defender Lauren Barnes as the Reign weathered a series of attacks from San Diego, though the Wave were limited to three shots throughout the half. The first half came to a scoreless conclusion and the teams had everything to play for after the break.
Coming back from halftime, the Reign started on the front foot, running at the backline of San Diego. In the 49th minute, Menti and Adames combined, coming up with a half chance on goal, but it wasn’t enough to get on the scoresheet. Seattle continued to knock on the door, earning back-to-back chances in the 51st minute of the match, including a blocked shot from defender Jordyn Bugg.
In the 67th minute, the Reign finally broke the deadlock. After a clean series of patient passes, Barnes played a simple pass to the feet of Menti, who took a touch to set up her right-footed shot from outside of the 18-yard box. The shot was a stunner, sailing through the air to the side netting of the far post, leaving Sheridan no chance to save it.
The Reign held the lead for just eight minutes, when San Diego scored an equalizer off a corner kick. María Sánchez, who subbed onto the field in the 73rd minute, crossed the ball to Cascarino, who headed it into the back of the net.
Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey was called on to make a massive save in the 77th minute of the match, when Cascarino sent another shot flying toward goal. Dickey stretched to her right, making a diving save to keep the score level.
The Reign’s hard work paid off in the 87th minute, when Adames scored the latest goal of Seattle’s season. On a quick play, defender Emily Mason cleared the ball to forward Lynn Biyendolo, who turned and found the chest of midfielder Jess Fishlock.
Fishlock one-touched the ball to space for a running Adames to charge at San Diego. Her footwork was on full display, and she carried the ball into the box and fired off a picture-perfect shot to beat Sheridan and take all three points for the Reign.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
MENTI: Midfielder Sally Menti made her first Reign FC start and scored her first Reign FC goal as she gave Seattle the lead in the 67th minute of the match.
ADAMES: Forward Emeri Adames scored the game-winning goal in the 87th minute of the match. The goal is her second of the season.
DICKEY: Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, who was named to the NWSL Best XI of the Month, finished the night with three saves. The 25-year-old goalkeeper moved up to third in club history in saves with 111, passing Phallon Tullis-Joyce (110).
UP NEXT: The Reign play their second of three consecutive road matches, traveling to take on Chicago Stars FC on Saturday, June 14 at 2:00 p.m. PT. Tune in on ION!