Seattle Reign FC Capture 2014 NWSL Shield
July 31, 2014 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) News Release
CHICAGO (July 31, 2014) - Seattle Reign FC claimed the 2014 NWSL Shield with a 15-1-4 record and 49 points last night following a 4-1 win against the Houston Dash at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. The NWSL Shield is awarded to the team with the best regular-season record and guarantees them home field advantage throughout the 2014 NWSL Playoffs.
Seattle was powered by a two goal, one assist effort by midfielder Kim Little, the leader of an offense that peppered seven shots-on-goal against Houston goalkeeper Erin McLeod . Reign FC forwards Sydney Leroux and Megan Rapinoe found the score sheet as well, tallying a goal each, while goalkeeper Hope Solo made four saves in the net.
The 2014 season has been a huge turnaround for Reign FC, a team who finished the 2013 season in seventh place and was 20 points behind league leaders Western New York Flash's 38 points (10-4-8 record). Seattle currently sits atop the standings holding 49 points with four games remaining in the regular season.
After last year's abysmal showing, Seattle general manager and coach Laura Harvey used the offseason as an opportunity to rejuvenate her roster. Harvey bolstered Reign FC's attack by bringing in forwards Beverly Goebel (4 goals, 4 assists), Nahomi "Naho" Kawasumi (7 goals, 4 assists) and Leroux (5 goals) as well asLittle (14 goals, 6 assists). All four players have been cornerstones in a potent offense that along with the league's best defense has produced a goal differential of 28 - which is 21 goals better than the next best club.
The 2014 campaign has been an eventful one for Seattle, who has been breaking records on a team and individual basis throughout the season. Reign FC opened the year with a record-setting seven-game winning streak - one that since has been matched by FC Kansas City. Seattle would then turn the winning streak into a 16-game unbeaten streak, shattering the previous mark of ten games set by FC Kansas City in 2013. Little has made history of her own on Wednesday night, setting the single-season scoring record of 14 goals with four games to go.
Seattle Reign FC returns to action on Saturday, August 2 at 8 p.m. ET when they visit FC Kansas City at Verizon Wireless Field in Kansas City, Mo.
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