Megan Reid’s journey has never been linear.

The now Angel City defender stepped away from soccer after playing at the University of Virginia to become a paramedic. Sports were activities she associated with her father, and once he passed away, she struggled with her love for soccer. 

Reid excelled as a firefighter and was passionate about the job. However, her colleagues at Sonoma Valley Fire quickly learned about her soccer talents as they played with her. At the same time, Reid’s passion for the sport was reignited. And when an opportunity to play again arose, she was encouraged to take it. Soon after, she found herself in the NWSL, playing for the 2022 expansion side, Angel City. 

Reid played every minute in her first season, becoming a key part of their back line. She established herself as a starter in one of the top soccer leagues in the world. But then, in her second NWSL season (2023), she featured in just nine of 22 regular-season contests.

However, one quality stayed the same for Reid: her passion. She continued working hard, looking to develop her game despite being relegated to a third-choice center back.

“My dad taught me that you don’t settle for where you are at,” Reid said. “You can be proud of where you’re at, but always strive for more. He wanted to make sure that I was always rising to the level of the people around me, if not beyond, in order to prepare myself later on in life.

He was always big on work ethic, whether that be in sports or even around the house; my siblings and I were held to a high standard no matter what we were doing. Something that was drilled into me from a young age is always to try to be the best that I can be irregardless of the people around me.”

Now, after Angel City traded defender Paige Nielsen to the Houston Dash, Reid is set to take on a significant role again. The team is trusting Reid greatly as she is tasked with thriving in an Angel City system under head coach Becki Tweed, who wants to possess the ball more in 2024.

Angel City wants to possess with purpose, and their center backs are crucial to executing that style of play. Reid is a physical player who excels at one-on-one defending and winning aerial duels. However, Tweed believes she can grow in possession. To develop, she could lean on her desire to grow. 

“Megan [Reid] now has the opportunity to step in,” Tweed said. “We talked about her growth in possession, and she’s so driven to constantly improve, but she’s never going to be okay with a performance. Megan is the first person to watch film and ask questions on how to improve. Those things are going to continue to help her.”

Reid believes her progression will come from increased consistency. She hopes to limit errors and become a more reliable player. Playing in more matches could enhance her ability to read the game and make good decisions. 

Reid began her expanded role by starting in Angel City’s victories against the Chicago Red Stars and North Carolina Courage. The team held a clean sheet against the Red Stars and allowed just one goal against the Courage, some of which was due to stout defensive Reid’s efforts.

According to FotMob, Reid made 23 defensive actions in those matches. Her contributions could continue to be vital moving forward, beginning with Angel City’s match against the Kansas City Current.

“Megan [Reid] is always first to ask what she can do more of and how to be the best version of herself for the team,” Tweed said. “All of those things are huge, and now that opportunity presents itself, and it is here for her to take with two hands. I’m excited that she has the right mindset and mentality. She’s a brilliant defender, and she’s going to continue to keep growing the more minutes that she plays.”

The Current beat Angel City in late March, 4-2, partly due to Angel City’s mistakes. Angel City failed to find pockets, and the Current capitalized with early goals. If Angel City can weather the Current’s early blitz, aided by Reid’s play, they could achieve a more desirable result the second time.

Either way, Reid’s play could matter in most Angel City games moving forward as she leans on her tremendous work ethic to thrive.