Rumi Utsugi Joining Reign FC for Match Against Western New York
After signing with the club on June 2, Rumi Utsugi will be meeting up with Seattle Reign FC on their current road trip to Rochester to face the Western New York Flash. Utsugi’s contract with Montpellier HSC is now complete, and she will be available for selection for Saturday’s match.
“Meeting out in Rochester will be difficult for her [Utsugi] I think, but we’re just excited to have her a part of the group,” said Seattle Reign FC head coach Laura Harvey. “I always think it’s a difficult transition initially. The first couple of weeks she [will be] getting used to the team, and obviously she’s available if needed. If she warrants the game time she’ll definitely get it.”
Utsugi has 87 caps with the Japan Women’s National Football Team, and was in the squad for the 2007, 2011, and 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments. Japan won the World Cup in 2011 in a 3–1 penalty shoot-out win over the U.S. Women’s National Team. Utsugi played every minute in six of Japan’s seven matches in their 2015 World Cup campaign, and was voted onto the 2015 World Cup All-Star Squad.
“We’ve had our eye on Rumi since the World Cup last year,” said Harvey. “She had a terrific tournament and showed she can perform in high-pressure situations against some of the world’s most talented players and teams.”
Utsugi is known for being an extremely talented passer out of the midfield and will be looking to create chances for her teammates in the run of play. She also has the ability to help shut down the attack of the opposing team with her defensive abilities.
The midfielder’s previous club experience was with NTV Beleza in Japan and Montpellier HSC in France. When Utsugi signed with Montpellier HSC in 2010, she was the first Japanese player to play in France’s top division (Division 1 Fémenine).
During her six seasons with Montpellier HSC, Utsugi scored 19 goals and helped the team to four league cup finals in 2012, 2014, 2015, and most recently on May 15, 2016, when the club fell 1–2 to Olympique Lyonnais.
“We believe Rumi’s experience with Japan and Montpellier make her well-suited to our style of play,” said Harvey. “She’ll add experience and depth to our midfield and backline.”
“Seattle Reign FC is a young team with enormous potential,” said Utsugi. “I look forward to joining the team.”
Saturday’s match against the Western New York Flash will kickoff at 4:00 p.m. PT. The game will be live streamed on the NWSL’s official YouTube channel and can be watched at youtube.com/nwsl.
Reign FC will return to Memorial Stadium Saturday, July 16 to play the Western New York Flash for the second consecutive week. Tickets to the match begin at $18 and can be purchased by calling (855)-REIGN-FC or by visiting reignfc.com/flash.
