In the final home match of the 2017 NWSL season, Seattle Reign FC fell 1–0 to FC Kansas City. This moves Reign FC’s all-time record against the Blues to 3–6–5 in regular season meetings. This marks the first time in the past five regular season meetings between Seattle and Kansas City that Reign FC have lost.
The loss ends Reign FC’s (8–8–7, 31 pts) current two match undefeated streak. This was Seattle’s third consecutive loss at home, the longest such streak since moving to Memorial Stadium in 2014.
“We came out and started really strong,” said Seattle Reign FC head coach and general manager Laura Harvey. “It kind of summed up our season. We had a lot of the ball, I don’t think Lydia [Williams] had to make too many saves, but we didn’t get enough quality higher up the field, and we gave the ball away in areas we need to be better at. Overall, disappointed we couldn’t find a goal, because I think if we had found a goal, we would’ve been able to settle down and play a bit more. Once we were chasing the game, that played into their hands a little bit.”
The first chance of the match for Reign FC came in the 14th minute of the match when defender Rebekah Stott found space on the right side. Stott had a give-and-go with midfielder Jessica Fishlock to work her way into the box. Stott then took a right footed shot that went wide of the far post.
Reign FC had another opportunity to score just three minutes later when defender Carson Pickett sent a ball into the middle of the box. Midfielder Rumi Utsugi slid to make contact with the ball, but her left footed shot was off the mark.
FC Kansas City scored the lone goal of the match in the 23rd minute. Forward Sydney Leroux sent a ball in behind the defense to an on running forward Shea Groom. Groom was able to slot her left footed shot into the bottom right corner of goal.
In the second half, Reign FC quickly came out looking for the equalizing goal. Seattle had the chance to even the score in the 51st minute after Stott found some space on the right side. Forward Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi sent the ball out wide, where Stott was able to take a right footed shot that hit off the crossbar, and went out of play for a goal kick.
Elli Reed was named Reign FC player of the match. Tonight’s match marked Reed’s final home match, as earlier this week she announced she would retire upon the conclusion of the 2017 NWSL season. Reed has been with Seattle Reign FC since the inaugural 2013 season.
Tonight’s result sees Reign FC’s points total for the season remain at 31, and are officially eliminated from contention for the fourth and final playoff spot. Seattle remains in fifth place on the NWSL table.
Up next, Reign FC close out the 2017 NWSL regular season when they head on the road to face the Washington Spirit on September 30th. This is the second and final meeting between the two teams this season. The previous match between the two sides was on May 13th and resulted in a 6–2 win for Reign FC at Memorial Stadium.
