The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) today announced Seattle Reign FC forward Megan Rapinoe is the NWSL Player of the Week for week 14. This is the fourth time Rapinoe has been named Player of the Week, becoming the fifth player in league history to earn the accolade at least four separate times.
Rapinoe scored a hat trick in Reign FC’s 5–4 victory over Sky Blue FC on Saturday, joining Portland Thorns FC forward Nadia Nadim as the only players in NWSL history to record two hat tricks. The forward’s three goals gives her 12 on the season, the most in the NWSL.
Reign FC and Sky Blue FC’s combined nine total goals in the match tie a league record for most combined goals in a single match. Eight of those goals came in the second half of the match, an NWSL record for most goals in a single half.
Rapinoe opened the scoring in the 27th minute of the match off of a free kick. After forward Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi was fouled, Rapinoe stepped up and curled the free kick inside the goalpost to make it 1–0. Rapinoe’s goal tied with Christen Press for NWSL Goal of the Week for week 14.
The forward’s second goal came from a penalty kick, which was earned when forward Beverly Yanez was fouled in the box.
Rapinoe’s final goal in the 87th minute was the game winner. Forward Katie Johnson collected the ball at the top of the box and was able to create enough space to drop the ball off to Rapinoe. Rapinoe’s shot sailed past a diving Kailen Sheridan and into the upper right corner of goal.
This the 18th time a member of Reign FC has won Player of the Week. It is the second time this season Rapinoe has earned the honor, marking the eleventh time in league history a player has earned the achievement twice in the same season.
Rapinoe also won Player of the Week in week 11 of the season, making this the fifth time this season a Reign FC player has won the award. Haley Kopmeyer earned the honor in week one, Jessica Fishlock won in week two, and Nahomi Kawasumi was honored in week five.
The NWSL Player of the Week is selected by the NWSL Media Association, a collection of media members that cover the league on a consistent basis. For more information on the NWSL Media Association, follow them on Twitter.
