SAN DIEGO – The Reign set two records in their 2-0 victory over Wave FC on Sunday afternoon at Snapdragon Stadium before 10,796. Reign head coach Laura Harvey became the first coach in NWSL history to win 100 matches with the same club, and Ainsley McCammon became the youngest player to have multiple assists in one game (18 years 344 days). Adding to the Wave’s frustration, keeper Claudia Dickey earned her clean sheet with a career-high eight saves in her first start since the International Break.
Despite leading in every major statistical category except goals, the Wave (9-6-2) lost to the Reign (6-7-2) for the sixth time in nine regular-season tries, and are now 1-2-1 since the International Break. The Wave are now No. 4 in the NWSL standings with 29 points, while the Reign move up to No. 10 are are still solidly in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Kimmi Ascanio. Photo credit: Miguel Mejia/Miguel Mejia Photography:
The Reign scored their two goals within the first 20 minutes.
Maddie Mercado scored for the third consecutive game, her fifth of the season, on a header redirected across the goal from a well-placed cross from McCammon. “For me, it’s finding the right pockets of space on the field … and getting into the box … from deep,” said Mercado when speaking to CBSSN reporters at half time.
In the 20th minute, Jordyn Bugg scored off a set piece. McCammon headed the ball off a corner kick to Bugg who made a looping header over defenders for the goal, her first of the season.
Mercado and Bugg grew up in San Diego. Mercado (Cathedral Catholic) and Bugg (Christian Junior/Senior High School in El Cajon, Calif.) both played club soccer for San Diego Surf FC.
“I think the way we started the game, the spaces were big and the gaps were big, and I think that led to us being spread out and not covering for each other as as much as we would have wanted,” said Wave defender Kristin McNabb. “So I think it took us a little too long to settle in to dictate our defensive line.”
After conceding possession for the first 20 minutes, the Wave settled into its typical style of play. Across the entire game, the Wave had the advantage on possession (61% - 39%), shots (22 - 9), shots on target (9-5), and corners, 7-3. The 22 shots were the most taken in the NWSL this season.
Despite owning the second half, the Wave’s opportunities were thwarted by Dickey’s spectacular saves. The difference maker in the game, she not only made the initial save but was often able to deflect the ball away from Wave players, preventing those second-chance scoring opportunities.
Melanie Barcenas. Photo credit: Miguel Mejia/Miguel Mejia Photography
“It's so hard at times because you want to think always that the result always is the truth, but it's not,” said Wave FC head coach Jonas Eidevall. “Sometimes you win games where you could have ended up losing as well, and it's really important to look in the mirror and say, ‘what do we need to do better for the next time?’ But sometimes the opposite is also true that you end up losing games that you actually should have won.”
Notable
Kristin McNabb has played every minute of every regular season game so far this season.
Melanie Barcenas played in her 50th game. She is the second youngest to reach that milestone, with Kimmi Ascanio set to hit it next week and become the second youngest herself.
Wave FC keeper Sandra Paños made her NWSL debut. Paños joined the team from Club América and has over 50 caps with the Spanish national team.
The team played without Kenza Dali. She was listed as available but did not enter the game. However, Adriana Leon returned to the line-up in the 68th minute, getting her first play of the season.
When trailing at the half, the Wave are 1-4-1.
Next Up
August 2 @ 1 p.m. PDT
Wave FC @ Washington Spirit
Audi Field, Washington DC
Watch on CBS Sports
Website Photo credit: Miguel Mejia/Miguel Mejia Photography
