SEATTLE - Wave FC fell 1-0 to the Seattle Reign Sunday at Lumen Field after playing with 10 players for nearly the entire match following Mimi Van Zanten's 13th-minute red card.
Van Zanten was sent off after fouling Maddie Dahlien during a Seattle breakaway that could have developed into a goal-scoring opportunity. With San Diego down a player so early, head coach Jonas Eidevall brought on Brooklyn Courtnall for Melanie Barcenas, sacrificing an attacking player to add another defensive presence.
The red card presented an immediate challenge for a San Diego team that entered the match 2-7-0 when conceding first this season. Seattle also had plenty of confidence after earning a 2-0 victory over the Wave in the teams' previous meeting, scoring twice before the 20th minute.
Despite the disadvantage, San Diego settled into the match and began to find more of its footing toward the end of the first half. The Wave pressed higher and created more pressure on Seattle before halftime, keeping the Reign from turning their numerical advantage into a larger lead.
Seattle eventually broke through in the 29th minute when Maddie Mercado headed a cross from Dahlien into the net for her eighth goal of the season. The goal continued Seattle's strong record when scoring first, with the Reign entering the match 9-3-1 when opening the scoring.
At halftime, Mercado credited Dahlien's ability to consistently create chances from the right side.
“I think she’s so good at getting down the line, getting those crosses in,” said Mercado. “I think for both of us it was just consistency in those areas, her continuing to get down the line and put in good crosses, which is 99% of the time now, and it’s up to me to get on the end of them and finish.”
San Diego came out with increased intensity in the second half and looked far more comfortable despite still being down a player. Gia Corley entered for Lia Godfrey at halftime and helped provide energy in the midfield as the Wave began to pressure Seattle and regain possession more consistently.
Despite playing a player down, the Wave generated nine shots in the second half compared to just one for Seattle. San Diego finished with nine shots and four on target, while Seattle had 13 shots and six on target, keeping the match within one goal.
Kenza Dali also came close to adding another goal from outside the box, an area where San Diego leads the league with eight goals this season. Her free kick in the 58th minute was blocked by Seattle's defensive wall, and another free kick in the 66th minute nearly found the back of the net.
Kenza Dali dribbles down field. Miguel Mejia Photography
Dali and Kimmi Ascanio both started after returning to the lineup, with Ascanio providing a strong presence in the middle of the field through her passing, ball carrying and defensive work. Laila Harbert replaced Ascanio in the 72nd minute for her fourth appearance of the season.
The Wave continued to push for an equalizer late in the match. In the 83rd minute, Eidevall received a yellow card while voicing his frustration over a potential foul on Ludmila inside the box. Ludmila had poked the ball past Seattle goalkeeper Claudia Dickey after receiving a through ball, but Dickey caught Ludmila's feet late in the play. Dickey was injured during the collision and left the match, with Cassie Miller replacing her.
Adriana Leon entered for Trinity Byars in the 89th minute as the Wave continued searching for a goal. Byars, who entered the match with back-to-back two-goal performances, struggled to find many opportunities against Seattle's defense.
Eidevall made another attacking move in stoppage time, bringing on Tatum Wynalda for Kristen McNabb in the 96th minute. It was the first time McNabb had exited a match this season. McNabb and Kennedy Wesley had been the only two Wave players to play every minute of every match this season before Sunday, with McNabb also facing her former club after beginning her professional career with Seattle.
The loss ends San Diego's recent 3-1-1 run and leaves the Wave with a 12-3-8 record. Seattle improves to 10-4-8 and remains unbeaten at home against San Diego, with the Reign now holding 11 wins in the 15 all-time meetings between the clubs. San Diego has one win, while the teams have drawn three times.
Despite the result, San Diego showed resilience by limiting Seattle to one goal while playing down a player for more than 75 minutes. The Wave will now turn their attention to their next match, where they will also have to navigate Van Zanten’s absence as she serves a suspension following her red card.
