Seattle Reign FC Forward Megan Rapinoe Voted NWSL Player of the Week
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) today announced Seattle Reign FC forward Megan Rapinoe was voted the NWSL Player of the Week for Week 11 of the 2017 NWSL season.
Rapinoe scored four goals in two games to increase her league-leading goal total to nine, three more than the next closest player. Scoring a brace in both of Reign FC’s week 11 wins, Rapinoe helped the club earn a 2–1 win over the Chicago Red Stars and a 2–0 win over Portland Thorns FC.
This the 17th time a member of Reign FC has won Player of the Week, and it is the third time Rapinoe has received the honor.
Both of Rapinoe’s goals came from the penalty spot against Chicago, with her first coming in the 58th minute after a handball was called in the box. Rapinoe stepped up to take the penalty kick, and finished to the right of Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. Rapinoe would complete the comeback for Reign FC in the 84th minute with another penalty kick.
Against Portland, Rapinoe opened the scoring in first half stoppage time. Rapinoe intercepted an errant back pass from Portland defender Emily Sonnett. The forward was able to beat Thorns goalkeeper Adrianna Franch to the ball and take a sliding shot that made it into the bottom left corner of the goal.
Rapinoe scored her fourth and final goal of the week in the 81st minute of the match to seal three points for Reign FC. Midfielder Christine Nairn sent a long ball over the top to find Rapinoe behind the defense. The forward took a first time shot that went past Franch and into the far lower corner of the goal.
This marks the fourth time this season a Reign FC player has won the award, with Haley Kopmeyer earning the honor with her week one performance, Jess Fishlock winning the award in week two, and Nahomi Kawasumi 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.
Rapinoe and Reign FC return to Memorial Stadium on July 15th when they host the Boston Breakers. Single match tickets and VIP experience packages are available. To purchase tickets, visit reignfc.com/tickets or call the Reign FC ticket office at (855) REIGN-FC.
