Club Tijuana 3-2 over Seattle Reign FC in Summer Cup

Seattle Reign FC 2
Club Tijuana 3
July 28, 2024
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL X LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup

Club Tijuana visited Seattle on Sunday afternoon for a Summer Cup match with Seattle Reign FC. The group phase match was the second for both sides, with a chance for Seattle to take hold of the top of the table on the line.

Club Tijuana Femenil midfielder Inglis Hernández (21) attempts to tackle the ball from Seattle Reign FC midfielder Maddie Mercado (27) in an NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup match at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington on July 28, 2024. (Photo credit Nate Koppelman)

Tijuana took it right at the hosts. A quick exchange and a nice touch by Aisha Solorzano with Reign keeper Laurel Ivory out of her box put the guests up one nil in the second minute.

The early goal immediately upped the pace of the match and gave the visitors a boost. They nearly doubled their lead a few minutes later but the post saved the Reign from a tough early deficit.

Seattle began to get their feet under them, creating some chances and getting McKenzie Weinert through on a number of occasions, but the goalpost also helped Tijuana in the 21st minute, preserving the early lead.

As the opening half progressed, the bulk of the play would move more into the Tijuana half. The Reign would begin to assert themselves, creating more and more chances, but not breaking through the level the match.

Solorzano would double the lead for Tijuana in the 40th minute, somehow getting clear of the Reign defense and drilling a low shot from top of the box past Ivory. The Guatemalan had only had a few chances and touches in the first half, but had made the most of it with two excellent touches for a first half brace.

Coming off a five goal loss to Portland, Tijuana found themselves up by two at the half in Seattle

Club Tijuana Femenil midfielder Natividad Martinez (18) shields the ball from Seattle Reign FC midfielder Angharad James-Turner (6) in an NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup match at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington on July 28, 2024. (Photo credit Nate Koppelman)

Seattle came out of the break on their front foot, needing to grab the next goal.

Emeri Adames would in fact cut the lead in the 47th minute, finding her way through a number of defenders and launching a left footed blast just under the bar from the top of the box. Much as both of Tijuana’s goals had been moments of excellent touch, Adames’ goal was a moment of class.

Maddie Mercado would get her first professional goal in the 63rd minute, leveling the match at two. Mercado’s goal was a case of following up a play and making the most of a one touch opportunity.

With the match level, a number of Reign regulars came on with about 25 minutes to grab a winner.

Solorzano would complete her hat trick instead, grabbing the lead back for Tiuana in the 84th minute with a left footed near post blast.

Seattle Reign FC midfielder Sam Meza (20) crosses the ball against Club Tijuana Femenil defender Monica Alvarado (4) in an NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup match at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington on July 28, 2024. (Photo credit Nate Koppelman)

Seattle would throw everything forward in the waining minutes and stoppage time. A number of late chances just did not convert into goals.

The 3-2 margin is a big win for Club Tijuana, especially after conceding the lead to grab the late winner.

Club Tijuana Femenil midfielder Mayra Pelayo (13) shields the ball from Seattle Reign FC defender Jordyn Bugg (32) in an NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup match at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington on July 28, 2024. (Photo credit Nate Koppelman)

Squad rotation for the Reign was in full effect. Jordyn Bugg made her debut. Sam Meza got her first start. Alana Cook is now with KC and no longer with the club. Laurel Ivory was captain.

BOX

Scoring Summary

SEA: Adames – 47’, Mercado – 62′
TIJ: Solórzano – 2’, 40’, 84’

Discipline

SEA: James-Turner (Caution – 69′)
TIJ: Pelayo (Caution – 89’)

Lineups

SEA: GK Ivory (C), D Bugg, D Woodham, D Lester, M Stanton (Huerta 46’), M Meza (Ji 67’), M Athens, M Mercado (Latsko 67’), M James-Turner, F Adames (King 87’), F Weinert (Balcer 67’)
Unused substitutes: GK Perez, D McClernon, D Holmes, M McCammon

Total Shots: 17 (Adames – 5)
Shots on Goal: 9 (Adames – 4)
Fouls: 7 (Seven tied with – 1)
Offsides: 3
Corner Kicks: 11
Saves: 1 (Ivory – 1)

TIJ: GK Gonzalez, D Diaz, D Martinez (Villalobos 77’), D Alvarado, D Fong, M Herrera (Fernandez 68’), M Pelayo, M Martinez (Cox 68’), M Hernandez (C) (Izaguirre 77’), F Marroquin (Espinosa 62’), F Solorzano
Unused substitutes: F Carrandi, F Munguia, D Mora, GK Gutierrez

Total Shots: 6 (Solorzano – 4)
Shots on Goal: 4 (Solorzano – 4)
Fouls: 13 (Pelayo – 5)
Offsides: 2
Corner Kicks: 0
Saves: 7 (Gonzalez – 7)

Referee: Jaclyn Metz
Assistant Referee 1: Sharon Gingrich
Assistant Referee 2: Melissa Beck
4th Official: Kelsey Harms

Seattle Reign FC forward Veronica Latsko (24) crosses the ball against Club Tijuana Femenil defender Karen Díaz (2) in an NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup match at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington on July 28, 2024. (Photo credit Nate Koppelman)