Four Reign FC Players Called up for International Duty
March 19, 2018 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Seattle Reign FC News Release
SEATTLE - Japan and Australia today announced their rosters for the AFC Women's Asian Cup tournament this April. Seattle Reign FC midfielder Rumi Utsugi and forward Nahomi Kawasumi are among the 23 players selected by Japan, while Reign FC goalkeeper Lydia Williams and defender Steph Catley were selected by Australia.
Utsugi returns to Japan's roster after being called in for the Algarve Cup earlier this month. The midfielder featured for the Nadeshiko in 3 of the 4 matches in Portugal. During the 2017 NWSL season, Utsugi appeared in 20 matches for Reign FC, starting 18 of them while tallying one goal and two assists.
Forward Nahomi Kawasumi was selected after a strong 2017 NWSL campaign. Kawasumi featured in all 24 Reign FC matches, starting 22 of them. She tallied 6 goals and delivered a league-leading 9 assists.
Prior to the Asian Cup, Japan will participate in the MS&AD Cup against Ghana on Saturday March 31 at 9:30 p.m. PT at Transcosmos Stadium Nagasaki in Nagasaki, Japan. The team will then travel to Jordan for the AFC Women's Cup. Their first group stage of the AFC Women's Cup kicks off on Saturday, April 7 at 7:45 a.m. PT against Vietnam at the King Abdullah II Stadium in Amman, Jordan.
Kawasumi and Utsugi will travel to Japan after Reign FC's first match on Saturday, March 24.
Catley and Williams remained with the Australian Women's National Team after the Algarve Cup to prepare for the Asian Cup. Catley did not play in the Asian Cup due to injury, but is expected to be available for selection in the Asian Cup. Williams started two of the Matildas' four matches in Portugal.
All four Reign FC players participating in the Asian Cup will miss the matches against Sky Blue FC on Sunday, April 15 and North Carolina on Wednesday, April 18, but are expected to return prior to Reign FC's match against the Orlando Pride on Saturday, April 28.
Seattle Reign FC will begin the 2018 NWSL Regular Season with a home match against the Washington Spirit on Saturday, March 24 at 7:00 p.m. PT on the UW Medicine Pitch at Memorial Stadium.
Seattle Reign FC 2018 season tickets memberships and single match tickets to the home opener are now available for purchase. To purchase tickets, visit reignfc.com/tickets or call the Reign FC ticket office at (855) REIGN-FC.
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National Women's Soccer League Stories from March 19, 2018
- Houston Dash Announce 2018 NSWL Roster - Houston Dash
- Utah Royals FC Finalize 2018 NWSL Roster - Utah Royals FC
- Chicago Announces 2018 Roster Ahead of Season Opener - Chicago Red Stars
- Orlando Pride Unveils Official 2018 Roster - Orlando Pride
- Washington Spirit Announces Updated Roster Ahead of 2018 NWSL Regular Season - Washington Spirit
- Thorns FC Announce 2018 Season-Opening Roster - Portland Thorns FC
- North CarolinaCourage Announces 2018 Roster - North Carolina Courage
- Sky Blue FC Announces Regular Season Roster - Sky Blue FC
- Seattle Reign FC Announce 2018 NWSL Roster - Seattle Reign FC
- A Decade in Chicago - Chicago Red Stars
- Four Reign FC Players Called up for International Duty - Seattle Reign FC
- Utah Royals FC Add Scotland Captain DF Rachel Corsie to Inaugural Season Roster - Utah Royals FC
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