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.