How Seattle Reign's Sam Meza became a crucial piece in the midfield

TUKWILA - Greatness is wrapped around Sam Meza's finger.

The University of North Carolina graduation class ring glistens in the daylight like the school does in sports from lacrosse and basketball to women's soccer. Meza was another sparkling addition, and it nearly blinded her.

Coming from a program like UNC with legendary coaches in Anson Dorrance and Damon Nahas, the expectation for the once-attacking midfielder was to continue her upward trajectory. Instead, it was like a boomerang where Meza had to go back home to become one of the Reign's leading players this season.

"I went from not playing, not rostering (on the gameday roster), not traveling to going on loan, coming back and then becoming a starter and playing 90 minutes every game," Meza said when asked after training Wednesday to reflect on her NWSL start. "That's pretty sick. I'm really proud of that. I'm proud of myself for being able to withstand that hardship. It was a tough process."

Meza was part of the NWSL's last draft in 2024. The Reign had their eye on the playmaker, sending $125,000 in allocation money to the Chicago Stars mid-draft to select Meza with the 17th overall pick.

On draft night, Dorrance said Meza is "the reason we all pay money to watch soccer." But she didn't even make the field during her rookie NWSL season.

The transition wasn't smooth. On the field, the Reign had a logjam in the midfield with club assist leader Jess Fishlock and veteran Ji So-yun mainly orchestrating the attack.

Off the field, Meza admitted the resources UNC provided meant she could focus on soccer and earning a degree. Things were different in Seattle, a city the Dallas native had never visited.

"Not having those habits can be really hard, because you can't just show up and put your boots on," Meza said of learning how to also eat and care for her body like a pro.

The remedy wasn't one Meza wanted. After playing in two friendlies for the Reign, she was sent on loan to the Dallas Trinity for the inaugural season of the Gainbridge Super League, a rival top-flight organization.

"It felt like I was regressing a little bit," Meza said of the loan. "It felt like I had to take a step back to then come back. Obviously, that never feels great."

Within the comforts of home, she sharpened her skills and grew into an audacious player with flair. Meza played 1,168 minutes for the Trinity and led the team in tackles (22) and 83% on pass completions. She also scored two goals and had one assist.

Reign coach Laura Harvey immediately spotted the difference in Meza. She also shifted Meza back a line to play defensive midfielder, which Meza played occasionally at UNC. Her daring tackles and ability to hold onto the ball helped the Reign return to their identity as a stingy team, conceding 29 goals last year after allowing 44 in 2024.

Meza finished the season ranking second in the NWSL in tackles (64).

"She was a different person," said Harvey, who subbed Meza on for a minute in the season opener last year. When multiple players were called up during a FIFA women's international window in March 2025, Meza got the nod to start for a road match against Angel City FC and became a mainstay in the lineup.

By summer, Meza also caught the attention of U.S. women's national team coach Emma Hayes and earned her first call-up. Meza has three caps on the international level.

"It was so natural," Harvey said of watching Meza play the position in her debut NWSL start. "Why she's become so critical in that role and been so impactful in that role is she defensively really understands what that role needs. It's surprising because that's not what she's grown up playing or has a ton of experience doing."

Meza has continued to build on her breakout season this year.

Earlier this week, Fishlock announced she's retiring at the end of the 2026 season. Meza is one of the players Harvey is instilling pieces of what makes Fishlock an annual candidate for league MVP, winning in 2021.

Meza, 24, already has the brashness, defensive bite and vision as a two-way player. She's even becoming more vocal in the midfield along with fellow emerging talents in Ainsley McCammon and Sally Menti.

The NWSL is resuming play this weekend after a FIFA international window. The approximate two-week break, coupled with Lumen Field undergoing final renovations to become Seattle Stadium to host six men's World Cup matches beginning in June, means Sunday's match against the Utah Royals is the Reign's home opener.

Although three matches in Spokane were tagged home games, the Reign were packing their bags to play for three weeks. They finished the stretch 3-1-1 and are currently third in league standings.

Meza will take the field as the early NWSL leader in tackles (26) and duels won (15). She also has 12 interceptions and assisted on one goal to start the season.

Performances Meza expected to have when she finished her college career as an All-ACC player.

"Ultimately, (playing for Dallas) allowed me to come back here and be able to shine in ways that I wanted to," Meza said.

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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 11:41 PM.