In their third consecutive road match, Seattle Reign FC earned a road point in a 2–2 draw with FC Kansas City. Reign FC earned four points on their three game roadtrip, their longest stint on the road in the 2017 season.
The tie moves Reign FC’s (3–2–4, 13 pts) all-time regular season record against FC Kansas City to 3–5–4. Seattle has never defeated Kansas City on the road, with an all-time regular season record of 0–3–4. Tonight’s match marked the first time in club history Reign FC have scored more than one goal on the road against FC Kansas City.
The hosts scored the opening goal of the match in the 22nd minute. Midfielder Erika Tymrak created space in the box and chipped the ball to forward Alexa Newfield. Haley Kopmeyer was able to get a hand to Newfield’s header, but the ball still found its way into the back of the net to make the scoreline 1–0.
Megan Rapinoe would then tie the match in the 31st minute. After Rapinoe’s initial corner kick was cleared by the Kansas City defense, Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi kept possession and laid the ball off to Rapinoe. The forward then fired a long distance shot which went under a diving Nicole Barnhart to make it 1–1.
After going into the half tied, the game slowed down with both teams looking to hold possession. Reign FC were then able to create a flurry of chances in the 74th minute. Katie Johnson’s breakaway shot was initially blocked by Barnhart, and her second attempt was headed away by defender Becky Sauerbrunn. Naho followed with a third shot, which was cleared off the line by midfielder Yael Averbuch to keep the score even.
Seattle would eventually break through in the 81st minute, thanks to another Johnson breakaway. Johnson laid the ball off to Christine Nairn on the wing, who then played a precision ball to Naho at the back post. Naho cut past her defender and calmly finished to give Reign FC the 2–1 lead.
Kansas City’s equalizer came just three minutes later in the 84th minute. Averbuch sent a driven cross into the six yard box which midfielder Maegan Kelly redirected into the back of the net, making the score 2–2.
Rapinoe was named Reign FC player of the match for her efforts. Along with her goal, her fifth of the season, the forward had four shots in the match.
Today’s result sees Reign FC points total for the season improve to 13, but they remain in fifth place on the NWSL table. Other results this weekend saw North Carolina and Orlando earn wins.
Reign FC return to Memorial Stadium on June 24th for Pride Night presented by Carter Subaru. It will be the second of three matches between Seattle and FC Kansas City this season, with kickoff set for 7:00pm PT. This marks the first time this season Reign FC have played the same team in back-to-back matches.
