SEATTLE, WA. – Seattle Reign FC made three selections in the 2024 NWSL Draft, presented by Ally, in Anaheim, California. The club selected midfielder Sam Meza with the 17th overall pick, forward Maddie Mercado with the 27th overall pick and defender Makena Carr with the 43rd overall pick.
Seattle entered the 2024 NWSL Draft with the 27th and 43rd overall picks and received the 17th overall pick in a trade with the Chicago Red Stars for $125,000 in Allocation Money.
Meza, a midfielder out of the University of North Carolina, started in 71 of 72 matches in her career with the Tar Heels. The dynamic player notched seven career goals and 10 assists. In her standout senior season, Meza totaled a career-high 1,397 minutes. Known for her defensive abilities, the Dallas, Texas native was on the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List and All-ACC Second Team in 2023.
The midfielder brings a wealth of experience with the United States Youth National Team, most recently playing with the United States under-23 team. Previously, she won the 2020 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship with the under-20 team and the 2018 CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship with the under-17 team.
Mercado, a Notre Dame forward, played an impressive 94 matches, making 62 starts. She scored 26 goals and added 12 assists in her time with the Fighting Irish, earning Second Team All-ACC honors in 2023 and Third Team All-ACC honors in 2022. She was also named to the All-ACC Academic Team three times in her college career.
The San Diego, California native also brings United States Youth National Team experience at the under-14 through under-19 levels. In 2020, she was named to the U-19 team for the La Manga Tournament in Spain and was part of the U-16 team that won the Torneo delle Nazioni in 2017, as well as the US Youth National Team CONCACAF championship in 2016.
Carr, a defender out of Saint Mary’s College of California, is the first player from Saint Mary’s to be selected in NWSL Draft history. She played one season at Saint Mary’s, appearing and starting in 18 matches. The defender recorded 10 90-minute performances in 2023, in addition to scoring one goal and adding two assists. She was named to the WCC All-Conference First Team.
A native of Newcastle, Washington, Carr began her collegiate career as a forward at the University of Washington, where she made 39 total appearances, including 10 starts. In her time with the Huskies, she registered two goals and two assists.
