​Ashley Sanchez scored twice as the North Carolina Courage defeated the Seattle Reign 3-1 on Saturday night. In the other Fourth of July matchup, the San Diego Wave beat the reigning NWSL champions Gotham FC 2-0. The Reign (4-6-2) grabbed an early lead when Sally Menti finished Sofia Huerta’s cross past Courage goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan in the 19th minute, her first goal of the season. Less than four minutes later, Sanchez answered with her eighth goal of the year to equalize.
Seattle’s Madison Curry fouled Ally Schlegel in the box, and Riley Jackson converted the penalty to put North Carolina (6-3-3) ahead 2-1 in the 64th minute. Sanchez added her second goal in the 71st minute, moving past Temwa Chawinga of Kansas City with nine goals this season. Sanchez now trails only Orlando’s Barbara Banda, who leads the league with 11. The match was delayed an hour from its original start time due to expected high temperatures; game-time conditions in Cary, North Carolina, hovered in the 90s.
Meanwhile, Melanie Barcenas and Trinity Byars scored for the league-leading Wave at home. Barcenas struck in the 45th minute, her shot from distance kissing the post before finding the net for her third goal of the season. Barcenas celebrated by sipping tea in a nod to Alex Morgan, one of the Wave’s owners, who mimicked taking a tea sip after scoring against England in the 2019 Women’s World Cup. Byars added a late stoppage-time goal, catching Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger off the line. The Wave (9-4-1) sit atop the league as play resumed after the extended summer break.
Gotham (6-3-3) recently signed Australian forward Sam Kerr, though she isn’t expected to be available until July 15 when Gotham hosts the Washington Spirit.