Coach’s Corner
The 2014 NWSL season ended with FC Kansas City taking a 2-1 win over Seattle Reign FC. Seattle Head Coach Laura Harvey has remarked that she has not watched tape of that game. Reign FC have been driven this past year by that defeat. It has been clear throughout 2015 that a championship is their driving force. “I never want that feeling again in my live. Ever.” Another shot at the team that beat them would be nice. FCFC did its part earlier in the day. With a 3-0 victory over Washington Spirit, Seattle Reign FC made it a rematch for the NWSL title.
KC goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris was under pressure early, saved by the post on a Merritt Mathias shot in just the 4th minute. Credited with 4 saves in the first half, Harris was busy for 90 minutes dealing with Seattle through passes and crosses.
Spirit forward Crystal Dunn was contained by Seattle’s defense, limited to a single shot on goal.
Seattle kept the pressure up offensively throughout the match. Harris was excellent. But, as the midpoint of the 2nd half passed and the score still remained nil-nil Harvey put Bev Yanez into the match. A low Rapinoe cross worked across the goal past the Seattle near post runner and Yanez was in position to take the touch and a 1-0 lead.
Minutes later, Rapinoe received the ball again down the left flank. This time she didn’t juke a defender or send a cross. Her left foot blasted the ball far post past Harris for sudden two goal lead. “I was going shot all the way,” she remarked after the match.
Any thoughts of a comeback came to an end when Mariah Bullock struck to make it 3-0 in the 90th minute.
Now, the NWSL gets Seattle v Kansas City II in Portland on October 1.
“The rematch is on,” Bev Yanez said.
Photos by Vanya Tucherov
