Dahlien Turns Pro, Seals Deal With Seattle Reign FC

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Maddie Dahlien has inked a professional contract with Seattle Reign FC in the National Women's Soccer League. The forward will forgo her remaining year of college eligibility, having capped off her remarkable North Carolina career as a national champion.

She will join fellow Tar Heels Claudia Dickey '21 and Sam Meza '23 in Seattle ahead of the 2025 NWSL season.

Dahlien totaled seven goals, 13 assists and 27 points across 65 career appearances during her three seasons in Chapel Hill. She had 11 points behind two goals and a team-leading seven assists as a junior this past year to help North Carolina win the national championship. She scored in the College Cup semifinals.

A creative finisher with a knack for creating game-changing plays, Dahlien drew the foul on six of UNC's 10 penalty kicks in 2024. She had her first career multi-assist game with two helpers in the NCAA Tournament Third Round, and she earned All-ACC Third Team and ACC All-Tournament Team honors.

Dahlien also collected ACC All-Freshman Team praise during her rookie year in 2022.

The Edina, Minnesota native has put together an impressive resume with the U.S. Youth National Team. She was part of the U-20 squad that earned silver at the 2023 U-20 Concacaf Championships, finishing as the team's leading scorer with four goals and notching a hat trick in her first-ever international cap.

She then helped the Stars and Stripes secure bronze at the 2024 FIFA U-20 World Cup, their best finish since 2012. Dahlien made an immediate impact off the bench in all seven games and registered two goals and an assist, even forcing the game-winning goal in the bronze-medal match.

Seattle Reign FC finished the 2024 season at No. 13 in the NWSL standings.

"We're proud to bring recent NCAA Champion Maddie Dahlien to the Reign," said Lesle Gallimore, Seattle Reign FC General Manager. "Maddie's relentless work ethic, competitive spirit and growth mindset align perfectly with the values of our club. Her speed and tenacity make her a dynamic threat in attack, while her ability to press defensively adds another dimension to her game. Maddie's ambition and determination are inspiring, and we're excited for our fans to follow her journey with the Reign."

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Players Mentioned

Maddie Dahlien

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