Seattle Reign FC has announced the re-signing of forward Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi for the 2018 NWSL season. The forward appeared in all 24 matches for the club during the 2017 season, starting in 22 and scoring six goals. Naho finished the season with nine assists, just one shy of the NWSL record for most assists in a season.
The Japanese international set two NWSL records in 2017, both coming in Seattle Reign FC’s 6–2 victory over the Washington Spirit on May 13th. With four assists in the match, Naho set the NWSL record for most assists in a single match, and she also became the first player in league history to be involved in five goals in a single match.
“Naho has been successful in this league for several years — her service and technical abilities will always be welcome on our team,” said Seattle Reign FC head coach Vlatko Andonovski. “I think that she will fit in perfectly with our style of play and we’re all very excited to have her back for another season.”
Naho first joined Reign FC prior to the 2014 NWSL season. The forward was a critical component in the club’s turnaround from second-to-last in the standings in 2013 to winning the first of Reign FC’s back-to-back NWSL Shields in 2014.
In her first season with the club, Reign FC scored a league-record 50 goals, allowed a league-best 20, and delivered a NWSL record 16-match unbeaten streak. Naho was second on the team in goals scored with nine, second to only midfielder Kim Little’s then-record 16 goals, while providing five assists on the season. The forward was selected to NWSL Best XI for her efforts in 2014.
Upon the completion of the 2014 NWSL season, Naho returned to INAC Kobe Leonessa of the Nadeshiko League in Japan, where she had played since making her professional debut in 2008.
During her time with INAC Kobe, Naho was named the Nadeshiko League MVP in 2013, and was on the league’s Best XI roster from 2010 to 2013. Scoring a combined 46 goals for INAC from 2009–2012, Naho tied for the league-lead in scoring with 12 goals in 2011. The forward helped lead INAC to three consecutive Nadeshiko league titles from 2011–2013.
Naho returned to Reign FC midway through the 2016 NWSL season. The forward’s first match back was against the Boston Breakers on July 2nd. Naho bagged a brace in the match, helping Reign FC to a 2–0 victory in her return. Finishing out 2016 with three goals and two assists in just 10 appearances, Naho once again made an impact with the club.
In 2017 Naho helped lead a Reign FC offense that tallied 43 goals over the course of the season, good for second-best in team history. Naho will return in 2018 to a team with a strong forward core, including Reign FC veterans Megan Rapinoe and Bev Yanez, along with second-year standout Katie Johnson and new signing Jodie Taylor.
