SAN DIEGO (Sept. 6, 2026) – San Diego Wave FC (12-8-3, 39 points) lost 1-0 to Seattle Reign FC (10-8-4, 34 points) on Sunday night at Lumen Field
San Diego was reduced to 10 players in the 13th minute when Mimi Van Zanten was shown a red card following a VAR review. Seattle capitalized on the player advantage in the 29th minute as Maddie Mercado headed home a cross from Maddie Dahlien to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Despite playing down a player, the Wave created opportunities to equalize before halftime, with Kimmi Ascanio forcing Claudia Dickey into a diving save before Lia Godfrey tested the Seattle goalkeeper from distance.
San Diego continued to push forward after the break. Kenza Dali forced Dickey into a save from a free kick in the 66th minute before Kennedy Wesley’s header was kept out five minutes later. Ludmila came close again in the 81st minute, but Dickey raced off her line to deny the Brazilian as Seattle held on for the 1-0 win.
Next on the schedule: San Diego Wave FC returns home to Snapdragon Stadium to face the North Carolina Courage on Saturday, Sept. 12. The match is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on ION.
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Player Notes:
- Captain Kenza Dali started and completed 90 minutes for the first time since July 18 against the Kansas City Current.
- Midfielder Kimmi Ascanio made her first start since Aug. 8 against Gotham FC, completing 71 minutes.
- Brooklyn Courtnall made her third appearance of the season as a 14th-minute substitute; her first appearance since the 4-2 win against Utah on Aug. 22.
- Mimi Van Zanten’s 13th minute red card was the first red card received by San Diego this season.
- San Diego is tied for the second-fewest goals conceded in the second half this season with nine.
- San Diego is 1-5-2 all-time in matches in which the Wave have gone down a player due to a red card.
Goals by Half:
| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Final |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Reign | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| San Diego Wave | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Scoring Summary:
| Minute | Team | Goalscorer | Assisted by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29′ | Seattle Reign FC | Maddie Mercado (7) | Maddie Dahlien (2) |
Misconduct Summary:
| Minute | Team | Player | Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13′ | San Diego | Mimi Van Zanten | Red |
| 59′ | Seattle | Jordyn Bugg | Yellow |
| 91′ | Seattle | Phoebe McClernon | Yellow |
Boxscore:
| Team | S | SOG | Saves | Corners | Fouls | Offsides | Poss. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Reign | 9 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 17 | 1 | 41% |
| San Diego Wave | 13 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 59% |
San Diego Wave FC: GK Sandra Paños, D Perle Morroni, D Kristen McNabb (Tatum Wynalda 90’+6′), D Kennedy Wesley, D Mimi Van Zanten (Red card 13’), Kenza Dali ©, Kimmi Ascanio (Laila Harbert 71’), M Lia Godfrey (Gia Corley 46’), F Melanie Barcenas (Brooklyn Courtnall 14’), F Ludmila, F Trinity Byars (Adriana Leon 89’)
Unused Substitutes: GK Didi Haracic, D Nya Harrison, M Laurina Fazer, M Gabi Portilho
Head Coach: Jonas Eidevall
Seattle Reign FC: GK Claudia Dickey (Cassie Miller 85’), D Sofia Huerta ©, D Phoebe McClernon, D Ryanne Brown (Madison Curry 86’), D Jordyn Bugg, M Angharad James-Turner, M Sally Menti (Jess Fishlock 64’), M Sam Meza, F Maddie Mercado (Brittany Ratcliffe 90’+6′), F Maddie Dahlien (Nerilia Mondesir 86’), F Mia Fishel (Holly Ward 64’)
Unused Substitutes: Emily Mason, Shae Holme, Ruby Hladek
Head Coach: Lauren Harvey
Attendance: 9,104
