Coach’s Corner
The Seattle Reign FC began the 2015 with a rousing home 5-1 win, dropped to 1-2 after a horrid road trip, lost two USWNT starters, and have not looked back since.
Seattle has been playing with number two goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer the bulk of the season, and even went on the road giving rookie Caroline Stanley her first start. August 12 finally saw the return to the nets for USWNT keeper Hope Solo. It would be reasonable to think the Seattle defense might have played differently during this stretch, and yet the defensive line and formation and tendency to build out of the back as opposed to clearing has not changed. Both Kopmeyer and Stanley have the clear support and confidence of teammates and coaching staff. Having Solo back in the nets for the shield push and playoffs is a boost, but the Reign FC defense plays with the same confidence whoever seems to be back there.
Reign FC’s 2-1 win over Houston Dash clinched a 2015 playoff spot, but there is clearly more work to do. Even with a five point cushion atop the table, teams like Chicago have the firepower to catch up should their guard drop. A looming road trip and return match with Houston on Friday will be important, as the Reign need eight points from their final four games to clinch the shield and home field as of this posting.
The match in Seattle with Houston was also the second consecutive match to clear 6,000 fans and to require the opening of the South Grandstand at what is now beginning to be referred to as Fortress Memorial. Reign FC have now played 21 NWSL matches since moving to The MODA Pitch at Memorial Stadium and have yet to leave without points, a 16-0-5 record over these past two seasons.
Roster moves minimized the World Cup impact on the Seattle season. Kopmeyer trained through the preseason as a number two, as opposed to a back up. Megan Rapinoe is a great player, but she was the only field starter to miss matches and was easily worked back into the line up. Rapinoe’s absence and the roster moves provided more minutes and opportunities for Merritt Mathias and Bev Yanez, both of whom have stepped forward with excellent 2015 play. On defence, the starting four was tweaked to move Rachel Corsie into a starting role with Elli Reed coming in as a fifth defender late, with Stephanie Cox, Lauren Barnes, and Kendall Fletcher having healthy and productive seasons. The Seattle midfield trio of Kim Little, Jessica Fishlock, and Keelin Winters is bolstered by Amber Brooks, Mariah Bullock, and has remained consistent with few missed starts. The continuity has clearly paid dividends.
Reign FC Coach Laura Harvey knows that playoffs and the cup is generally more important than the regular season and the shield in US sports, but does not seem willing to give up the shield and the home field benefits easily. Do not expect Seattle to rest starters with a playoff spot clinched, they want to be playing on October 1 at Fortress Memorial, with the South Grandstand very, very full.
Photos by Vanya Tucherov
