Reign continue to roll as Winters goal rocks KC

SEATTLE (May 15, 2014) – Seattle Reign FC (7-0-0, 21 pts) remain undefeated following a 3-2 victory over FC Kansas City (3-1-4, 10 pts) on Thursday, May 14 in front of 2,875 supporters at the Moda Pitch at Memorial Stadium in Seattle.

See more photos from Wilson Tsoi here!

Reign FC’s quest for seven consecutive wins came to fruition, but not without a stern test from visiting FC Kansas City.

Seattle grabbed a 2-1 lead at halftime with goals from defender Kendall Fletcher and Scottish international Kim Little. Fletcher scored in the 16th minute and celebrated with her now signature back-flip.

Little doubled Seattle’s advantage less than five minutes later when she converted a penalty kick, giving the striker her sixth goal of the season.

FC Kansas City forward Amy Rodriguez – who is now tied with Little as the top goal scorer in the NWSL – was mostly contained throughout the match. Rodriguez was able to draw a penalty near the end of the first half to which forward Lauren Holiday converted to put Kansas City on the board.

In the 61st minute, FC Kansas City midfielder Erika Tymrak tallied the equalizing goal from outside the box.

Reign FC responded by upping their attack and in the 76th minute defender Kiersten Dallstream’s cross found its way to midfielder Keelin Winters, who headed the game winner just past diving goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart.

Winters goal sequence — by Wilson Tsoi

“We lost shape and gave the ball away in the first half but we did well in the second half to deal with pressure and grind out a result,” said Reign FC head coach and general manager Laura Harvey. “We’re not a finished article by any stretch but it’s great to get three points.”

Seattle was without the services of three key players in the victory. Japanese international forward Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi is currently with the Japanese national team for the AFC Women’s Asia Cup, defender Steph Cox was unable to play due to an ankle injury, and forward Megan Rapinoe did not play as she continues to recover from a foot injury.

Reign FC and FC Kansas City will meet again next week, this time at the Verizon Wireless Field at Stanley H. Durwood Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on Wednesday, May 21. The match kicks off at 4 PM (PT) with a live, high-definition webstream available YouTube.com/NWSL.

Seattle Reign FC vs. FC Kansas City May 14, 2014 – Memorial Stadium (Seattle, Wash.)