Seattle Reign extend Emily Mason through 2026

Seattle Reign announced on Wednesday that defender Emily Mason has signed a one-year contract extension through the 2026 season, with a mutual option for 2027. Mason and Maddie Dahlien were the Reign’s first college signings since the NWSL Draft was eliminated.

“I’m excited to continue my career with the Reign,” said Mason in a team release. “This first season has provided me with the opportunity to grow, learn and to be consistent every time I step on the field. It has given me amazing friendships with my teammates that I am so lucky to have. I’m grateful for the trust the club and coaching staff have shown in me, and I’m motivated to push my game forward and make a positive impact.”

In her rookie NWSL season, Mason has appeared in 10 matches, earning two starts. Her first start came in just the second match of the season, when the Reign traveled to take on the North Carolina Courage. Mason showed well at right back in the team's 2-1 win. She had a key touch and pass on the team's first goal.

Mason's minutes have been more limited since the team switched to a 3-5-2 formation. She has featured as a fullback, centerback, and wingback — mostly being called upon to help the team close out games defensively. While Mason has only tallied 249 minutes, she's made an impact in this defensive role. According to FotMob, Mason is tied for first in the league in interceptions per 90 (3.3) and blocks per 90 (1.4).

“We’re ecstatic that Emily Mason will continue her career here in Seattle,” said Reign General Manager Lesle Gallimore. “Emily has shown incredible growth and consistency as a defender, and we’re confident her future is extremely bright.”

The 22-year-old was selected to the 2025 U.S. Women’s National Team Futures Camp on January 8, the same day she signed with Reign FC. Her selection followed a youth international career that includes gold medals at the 2022 Sud Ladies Cup and the 2022 Concacaf U-20 Championship and appearances at the U-20 World Cup in 2022.

Reign head coach Laura Harvey named Mason to the U-20 squad in 2020 for the Concacaf U-20 Championships when she was just 17 years old. The U.S. won the competition, and Mason started the quarterfinal and final at right back, but the pandemic prevented the U-20 World Cup from occurring.

A native of New Jersey, Mason had a standout college career at Rutgers University, starting 72 of 82 matches while recording six goals and seven assists. She featured as a centerback in most of those matches, but also spent time at right back in her early college career and with U.S. youth national teams. At 5’10”, she’s a threat on set pieces, and her long legs help her make crucial stops on the defensive end.

As a freshman, Mason helped lead Rutgers to its first-ever Big Ten Conference title in 2021. She was named to the All-Big Ten First Team in 2022 and 2024 and the Second Team in 2023. She was also named to the United Soccer Coaches All-America Third Team in 2022.