Maddie Mercado

Mercado was raised in San Diego, California. Her parents both played tennis collegiately, with her mother progressing to a professional career. Mercado attended Cathedral Catholic High School, where she played soccer and helped the team become 2016 CIF Southern California High School Champions. She also played youth soccer for San Diego Surf SC in the ECNL. In 2017, Mercado was named the 2017 Western Conference Player of the Year. == College career ==

Mercado played collegiately for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Her first goal with Notre Dame occurred in her sophomore year, on March 20, 2020. On the way to the quarterfinals, Mercado scored in the team's opening round victory over Omaha and in their round-of-16 match versus TCU. Mercado finished her final collegiate season leading the team in goals and points. She was also named to the All-ACC second team. == Club career ==

Seattle Reign On January 12, 2024, Mercado was selected by Seattle Reign FC as the 27th overall pick of the 2024 NWSL Draft. She signed a one-year contract with the Reign on March 13, 2024. On May 8, Mercado made her professional debut as a second-half substitute in a 0–0 draw with the Kansas City Current. Mercado's next minutes with the Reign occurred during the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, where she started the club's first two games. In the second match, an eventual loss to Club Tijuana, Mercado netted her first professional goal. Mercado recorded her first regular season assist and starting appearance on March 25, 2025. Her assist to Jess Fishlock was an NWSL Assist of the Week nominee. On August 20, Mercado signed a one-year extension through 2026 with a player option for another season. She was then immediately loaned out to USL Super League club Carolina Ascent FC through the end of 2025. In her second club match, Mercado made an impact at the opposite end of the game, dribbling 40 yards before scoring the stoppage-time equalizer in a 2–2 draw with the Tampa Bay Sun. She went on to score again against expansion team Sporting Club Jacksonville on September 13, setting a streak of 3 goals scored in her first 3 matches with Carolina. Mercado's quick start at the Ascent earned her a spot on the Super League's September Team of the Month bench. She was recalled from her loan on October 8, 2025, after starting six matches and scoring four goals for Carolina. Return to Seattle Upon returning to the Reign, Mercado started 2 out of Seattle's 3 remaining 2025 regular season matches. During the match, Mercado had multiple chances to score, but neither she nor any of her teammates were able to penetrate through the Pride defense as Orlando won, 2–0. At the start of the 2026 season, Mercado shifted to a role higher up the field. In March 2026, she scored in back-to-back matches, first a header against the Kansas City Current on March 25, and then a low shot against Racing Louisville FC three days later. == International career ==

Mercado has represented the United States at youth level from U-14 to U-19 age groups. scoring two goals in the team's quarterfinal match. As part of the United States women's national under-19 soccer team, Mercado was named to the squad for the 2020 La Manga Tournament. She was an unused substitute for the first match but started in both of the United States' remaining fixtures against the Netherlands and England. == Personal life ==

Mercado's older brother, Michael Mercado, is a professional baseball pitcher. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2017 MLB draft and plays for the Philadelphia Phillies. == Career statistics ==

Individual • Second-team All-ACC: 2023 • Third-team All-ACC: 2022 • ACC tournament all-tournament team: 2023 == References ==