Reign FC Battles to 1-0 Victory Over Angel City FC in Preseason Match
In the club’s lone Coachella Valley Invitation match, Seattle Reign FC downed Angel City FC 1-0. The physical matchup gave fans and foes a first glimpse at what the team might bring to the table in the NWSL regular season as opening weekend inches closer.
As the match kicked off, the Reign spent time getting comfortable on the ball, moving it around the field as they sought to break through a strong Angel City side. Maddie Dahlien, the 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Year nominee who recently made her USWNT debut, sent clear warning signs as she zipped down the left side of the field, causing problems for the defense early on.
Throughout the match, the Reign did well to utilize the wide spaces of the field, stretching Angel City thin and exploiting attacking space with a pace that challenged the opponents. On the other side of the pitch, Seattle’s defense handled Angel City’s attack well, making it a light half for Claudia Dickey, who was only called on a couple of times in goal.
The match went to the halftime break scoreless but wouldn’t remain that way long for long. As play restarted, the Reign were on the front foot, pressuring Angel City out of the gates. The game-deciding goal came in the 54th minute, as the Reign worked as a unit to maintain pressure in LA’s defensive third of the field.
Maddie Mercado stepped in to block a clearance, deflecting the ball straight to the feet of Nerilia Mondesir, who made no mistakes as she took one touch to set up a shot straight into the back of the net.
Seattle made a flurry of substitutions around the 68-minute mark of the match, bringing in a new group of players, including several preseason trialists, to close out the game. Several players, including 19-year-old Emeri Adames, continued to put the pressure on Angel City until the final whistle sounded.
As the countdown to the 2026 season continues, it’s the perfect time to lock in your Seattle Reign FC tickets! With plenty of ticket options available, like a Season Ticket Membership, Crest & Crown Bundle, Spokane single match tickets and more, now is the time to secure your spot to see all of the action in person.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Reign FC 1 – Angel City FC 0
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Venue: Empire Polo Club
Weather: 69 degrees and sunny
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA – Nerilia Mondesir 54’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA – Emily Mason (caution) 49’
LINEUP
Seattle Reign FC – Claudia Dickey; Sofia Huerta © (Chloe Seelhoff 68’); Emily Mason (Vienna Whipple 77’), Jordyn Bugg (Phoebe McClernon 68’), Madison Curry (Carolyn Voss 68’); Jess Fishlock (Ainsley McCammon 68’), Sam Meza (Angharad James-Turner 45’); Maddie Mercado (Sofia Cedeño 68’), Maddie Dahlien (Brittany Ratcliffe 68’), Mia Fishel (Jordyn Huitema 68’), Nerilia Mondesir (Emeri Adames 68’)
Substitutes not used: Neeku Purcell