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NWSL Seattle Reign FC

Reign FC Extends Unbeaten Streak in Tie against FC Kansas City

June 25, 2016 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Seattle Reign FC News Release


SEATTLE - Seattle Reign FC battled to a 0-0 draw against FC Kansas City on Sunday to earn a point and extend its unbeaten streak to four games. Sunday's match was the final meeting between the two squads in the 2016 regular-season, and moves Reign FC's all-time record against FC Kansas City to 3-3-4.

The match was the fourth-straight clean sheet for the Reign FC (3-3-4, 13 pts) defense, setting a new team record, and tying the NWSL record for most consecutive clean sheets. So far this season Seattle has only allowed two goals in away games, good for 2nd best in the league.

Reign FC came out of the gates firing, earning four corners in the first eight minutes and generating their first dangerous chance within just three minutes of the opening kickoff. Lauren Barnes sent a long ball forward, looking for Beverly Yanez. Yanez was able to direct her header back to Kim Little, who was waiting just outside of the 18-yard box. Little fired a shot on frame, but Nicole Barnhart deflected it wide.

While Seattle controlled the first fifteen minutes of the match, FC Kansas City found several opportunities on the break as the first half wore on. In the 28th minute, Heather O'Reilly found her way into the box and was able to create just enough space to get off a shot. The chip went wide of the far post.

O'Reilly was once again at the center of the attack in the 36th minute, when Shea Groom slotted the midfielder in behind the defense. Hope Solo was quick off her line to cut off the angle, and forced O'Reilly to shoot into the side netting.

Even with a flurry of chances in the first half, the teams entered the break knotted at 0-0. This was the sixth game in a row that Reign FC has gone into the half with the score tied at 0-0, going 1-3-2 in those games. The last first half goal for Seattle came from Kim Little back on May 1 in a 1-0 win over FC Kansas City.

Kansas City started the second half aggressively, but the Seattle defense was up to the task. In the 51st minute Erika Tymrak found her way behind the defense in the box. Tymrak took on Elli Reed 1v1, and Reed was able to end the danger and force the ball out of bounds.

Late in the second half, FC Kansas City made one final push for a game winner, but Solo was there once again to deny the chance. Groom was able to get behind the defense, but Solo came off her line and pressured Groom into dribbling out of bounds for a Reign FC goalkick.

As time began to wind down, the match continued to get more physical. In the 90th minute, second-half substitute Carson Pickett received a red card for her tackle on O'Reilly. The card was Pickett's first red of her professional career, and she will now miss the upcoming match against Boston on July 2. There were 13 fouls between the two teams in the game, and four cards handed out.

This was the fourth-straight match Reign FC have outshot their opponent (6 to 5). Merrit Mathias led the team with two shots on goal, and Little had one shot on goal.

Little did not score in the match and is still searching for the 30th goal of her NWSL career. Little would be the first player in the history of the league to reach that milestone. She has scored at least 10 goals in every season she has played in the NWSL.

Hope Solo was awarded Reign FC player of the match for the second game in a row. Solo had one save on the night, and kept the FC Kansas City offense at bay, defending 13 corner kicks. Solo and teammate Megan Rapinoe will now head to Chicago for camp with the U.S. Women's National Team.

Solo and the USWNT will face South Africa for the first time in team history on July 9. Should Solo notch a shutout, she would be the first goalkeeper in U.S. or world history to reach the milestone of 100 shutouts.

Today's result gives Reign FC 13 points on the season, which ties them with Sky Blue FC. However, Sky Blue FC currently has the tie-breaker due to their 2-1 win against Reign FC in the 2016 season opener on April 17. Due to the result, Seattle has fallen one spot in the standings to 7th place.

With the tie, FC Kansas City (2-4-4, 10 pts) now has 10 points and remains in 8th place in the standings. The Portland Thorns are in first place after their 2-0 win over the Chicago Red Stars this past Wednesday.

Up next, Reign FC returns to Memorial Stadium to face the Boston Breakers on July 2 at 7:00 p.m. PT. Seattle will look maintain its undefeated all-time record of 8-0-1 against the Breakers. The previous meeting between the two teams was a 3-0 win for Reign FC, which is the largest win of the season so far for Seattle.

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