One of the more unique aspects of NWSL is the players’ balance of international and club duties. Seattle Reign FC carries a roster comprised of several players who also represent their national teams in international competitions.
Megan Rapinoe and Allie Long don the stars and stripes for the United States Women’s National Team. Elizabeth Addo captains Ghana’s team; Theresa Nielsen plays for Denmark. Jess Fishlock has over 100 caps with the Welsh team, while Jodie Taylor has netted 17 goals for England.
Playing for their country is one of the highest honors imaginable for a soccer player. While it removes them from their club team for brief stints, it provides an opportunity to help their homeland reach incredible heights.
This was the case recently for Reign FC players Rumi Utsugi and Nahomi Kawasumi, who were both part of the championship-winning Japanese team at the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Amman, Jordan. In the 1–0 trophy-clinching victory, Japan defeated Australia, a team that is also well-represented on Seattle’s roster. Steph Catley and Lydia Williams were both part of the starting eleven in the final, and played significant roles for the Matildas.
Catley scored a crucial penalty kick in a shootout following the team’s semifinal match against Thailand. Williams started three games in the tournament and recorded a clean sheet against South Korea in the group stage. Each of the Japanese and Australian players on Reign FC are expected to be available for Seattle’s match on Saturday in Orlando.
Reign FC head coach Vlatko Andonovski is thrilled to welcome the Japanese and Australian players back, as they are major parts of Seattle’s squad. Williams mentioned that returning to the NWSL schedule can be a nice change of pace from the hectic environment of international play.
“In terms of national team duties, the tournament we went to was sort of life and death,” Williams said. “Every goal mattered. You really only have one shot, and it’s about cohesion. When you’re in a club you can spend a month working on something, but with the national team you have one day.”
Catley enjoys the style of play found in America, and relishes the opportunities to get up and down the field quickly.
“Here, it’s full on straight away,” Catley said. “It’s transition, it’s fast, it’s aggressive. That’s what we love about the league, you get used to the quickest football that I think you can play in the world. That’s where it varies from international to here.”
Despite losing to Utsugi and Kawasumi in the final, the Aussies say the trash talk around training has been pretty tame.
“Vlatko has been the worst,” Catley said with a laugh. “He’ll make a jab and then say ‘Oh, sorry, I forgot.’”
“It’s definitely not much trash talking,” Williams revealed. “Rumi and Naho, I don’t think they’d trash talk anyone. They’re too respectful and too nice. We wouldn’t do it either.”
While missing out on a Women’s Asian Cup title is disappointing, Australia is qualified for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, as is Japan. For now, the Australians’ focus must shift back to the NWSL.
With the return of the national team players, Reign FC made some roster moves. Goalkeeper Adelaide Gay, who joined as a National Team Replacement player on March 23, has been released. She will continue training with Reign FC but will no longer be a part of matchday rosters.
Jaycie Johnson signed as a National Team Replacement player on March 30. Johnson has been moved to the D45 list with a right knee sprain. Neither Gay or Johnson have appeared in a match for Reign FC this season.
The additions of Utsugi, Kawasumi, Catley, and Williams are sure to bolster Seattle’s roster as the team enters the meaty part of its schedule. The fast, frenetic pace of NWSL soccer awaits, and Reign FC fans will soon get a chance to see their Japanese and Australian favorites be a part of it once again.
