The second season of the National Women’s Soccer League came to a close Sunday at Starfire Stadium as FC Kansas City defeated regular season champions Seattle Reign 2-1 to win the 2014 NWSL Championship.
It was a true battle of the best as the teams finished one and two in the regular season standings; FC Kansas City having chased the Reign since week one. For Seattle, an opportunity to complete their turnaround season, having won the NWSL Shield with four games to go. For Kansas City, a chance to achieve a goal they fell short of last season when they were eliminated by the Thorns in extra time in the semifinals.
The match started with the Reign coming out in typical fashion; pressuring early and disrupting Kansas City’s possession. Seattle’s attack was relentless, coming at Kansas City time and again with the offensive prowess they have been known for all season. Kansas City held up under pressure though; their defensive line led by two time and reigning NWSL Defensive Player of the Year Becky Sauerbrunn effectively stopping any danger.
Kansas City was not without chances of its own, however, creating several opportunities that either could not find the target, or fizzled out without seriously challenging the Reign. Despite their earlier misses, it would be Kansas City that would draw first blood on a beautiful link up by Lauren Holiday and Amy Rodriguez. Holiday received the ball in acres of space and was able to charge down the field while Rodriguez split the defense and made a run to the left of the box. Holiday found Rodriguez with a perfectly placed ball that was chipped over Hope Solo to give Kansas City a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute.
Rodriguez’s goal would only fuel the Reign further as they created some of their more dangerous opportunities in the half with league MVP Kim Little and Elli Reed forcing Nicole Barnhart to make two very solid saves. Nahomi Kawasumi also had a solid opportunity with a wide open shot at close range, but sent the header to the right of the goal. Seattle would be unable to convert and the score remained 1-0 at the half.
Play picked up where it left off as Seattle continued to heavily pressure the Kansas City defense. Kawasumi forced another great save minutes into the half as she received a long cross from Rapinoe and tried to spear it past Barnhart on the bounce. The Reign earned a dangerous free kick as Fishlock was brought down right outside the box but Little’s rocket of a free kick went directly to Barnhart.
The Holiday, Rodriguez connection would extend Kansas City’s lead in the 56th minute as Holiday showed some amazing skill and athleticism to set up Rodriguez. Holiday used her body to shield the ball and dribble it down into the box, weaving through and beating two defenders before sliding the ball over to an unmarked Rodriguez by the penalty spot. Rodriguez was able to slip it past Solo to put Kansas City up 2-0.
The Reign would hit the woodwork twice in the final ten minutes of play before finally getting on the board in the 87th minute. Lauren Barnes took a shot that was blocked by a Kansas City defender but sent Barnhart diving to the left in anticipation. The rebound came out to Megan Rapinoe who was able to able to turn and one time it past a still recovering Barnhart.
Seattle would fight hard for an equalizer in the remaining five minutes regular and stoppage time with many of their opportunities being cleared away by the Kansas City defense. Their best opportunity would come as well defended Mariah Nogueira laid it out for a wide open Jessica Fishlock who just pulled the ball wide of frame. The match would end 2-1 and FC Kansas City was crowned the 2014 NWSL Champions.
Feature Photo courtesy of NWSL/nwslsoccer.com
