Coach’s Corner
Photos by Vanya Tucherov
Everything about the 2015 Seattle Reign FC season was embodied in the moment 89:56 in game 19. With a second consecutive home unbeaten streak on the line, in the pouring rain, on three days rest, with the NWSL Shield already secured, Seattle still pressed forward for a late equalizer. At 89:56 a Kim Little cross found Jessica Fishlock and Fortress Memorial remained Fortress Memorial. The resulting celebration and post game NWSL Shield presentation on the otherwise dreary evening showcased the strength and character of a side determined to keep the foot on the gas and press forward for a cup that eluded them in 2014.
Seattle entered the season with a crushing 5-1 home win over Western New York Flash and any thoughts of where the goals would come from after losing Naho Kawasumi and Sydney Leroux seemed a bit moot.
Following the opener, the Reign went on the road for the final two matches before losing Hope Solo and Megan Rapinoe for the world cup and disaster struck. Seattle lost two matches in heartbreaking fashion, was shut out, and came home with a total of three points from three matches. The elusive championship suddenly seemed very far away.
A 12-1-4 run in may or may not have been triggered by the May road trip, but it is hard not to see how it played at least a role. Goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer played over half the season and third keeper Caroline Stanley played in a road Boston win before Hope Solo returned to anchor a defense that surrendered barely a goal a match.
The question of goals was answered with the highest scoring offense in the league at over two a match and three players in the league top ten in goals scored.
Clinching the NWSL Shield with two games to play meant Head Coach Laura Harvey had choices to make. She could rest her starters on the run in; knowing playoff matches and international duty beckoned, but instead she played her preferred starters on both three days rest and a week later on the road, keeping her foot on the gas.
“We have a changing room full of winners,” Harvey said after the 89:56 equalizer.
Now, Seattle gets Washington Spirit at Fortress Memorial on September 13, with a shot at the championship on October 1st, in a potentially very hostile Portland stadium, on the line.
