When defender Sarah Gorden went down before ever stepping foot on the pitch for Angel City FC way back in 2022, it was Megan Reid, a then rookie just happy to be on an NWSL roster, who stepped up to fill the hole. To the surprise of many, Reid not only did a job being thrust into a starting role, but she had a breakout season that ended with her finishing as the club’s first-ever NWSL Iron Woman, having played every minute of the season. Reid has come a long way since then, and while her minutes have slightly dipped since the return of Gorden, she is still one of the first names picked among the defense. No longer the wide-eyed rookie, the now veteran Reid put together another solid season in 2024.
3′ | MEGAN REID SCORES HER FIRST GOAL WITH ACFC!!!!!!#Volemos | #LAvJRZ 2-0 | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/VY21gPKXuu
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) August 19, 2024
Reid finished the 2024 season with 23 appearances, 18 of those being starts, tallied just under 1800 minutes, and even scored her first-ever goal for the club. Sure, it was in a friendly match, but still, we celebrate accomplishments around here. Reid did well in distribution, finishing with an 87% success passing rate with 1122 pass attempts. Despite the solid numbers playing the ball out of the back, she was unable to find an assist, though as a center back, those are almost more rare to come by than a goal.
Goals That Give
🎯 Megan Reid goal
⚽️ Madison Curry assist#AngelCityFC | @DoorDash pic.twitter.com/hJv6D0tVE4— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) August 19, 2024
Defensively, we saw Reid continue to stack on another solid season as she continues her career in the NWSL. Reid finished the season with 44 aerial duels won, a 79% success rate for tackles, finished with 23 tackles and 19 interceptions. The defender in her third season also hit a milestone in September, at home against the Washington Spirit, a match that marked her 50th NWSL appearance. Not bad for a player who once thought her professional aspirations had all but come to an end.
The biggest question coming into the next season for the defender will be where the new regime sees her. Angel City are yet to find a permanent replacement at head coach, but whoever comes in will have some tough choices to make. That said, it’s hard to picture a season that won’t see Reid taking her place along the back more often than not.
Thoughts on Megan Reid in 2024? Leave a comment below!