Laura Harvey is the NWSL Coach of the Year for the second straight season. (Photo Copyright Patricia Giobetti for The Equalizer)
Laura Harvey was named National Women’s Soccer League Coach of the Year for the second straight season on Friday.
Harvey guided Seattle Reign FC to the best record in the league to claim the NWSL Shield for the second straight season. Seattle finished the season with a 13-3-4 record and 43 pts., 10 pts. clear of second-place Chicago. Reign FC are in the NWSL Championship for the second straight season. They will face FC Kansas City — last year’s league champions — on Oct. 1 at Providence Park in Portland, Ore.
[MORE: Chicago’s Colaprico is Rookie of the Year | Thorns’ Betos GK of Year]
The 35-year-old Harvey is known for turning around a Seattle team which finished second-from-bottom in her first year in charge, 2013, to a force in the league each of the past two season. She has made numerous trades which have paid off exceptionally well for Reign FC, as The Equalizer’s Dan Lauletta profiled earlier Friday.
Harvey has also proven exceptional at tactical and in-game management.
“It’s been an honor to play for Laura for 3 seasons,” Reign FC goalkeeper Hope Solo said. “She continues to impress me with her knowledge of the game, her commitment to our style of play, to our organization and to our team. Laura has the ability to manage players respectfully and professionally, and its those qualities that make for a true leader and a coach that players love to play for. She is most deserving of the coach of the year award. I’m proud and privileged to be able to call her my coach!”
The NWSL awards are voted on by a selection of journalists that cover the league on a consistent basis, club officials, players and fans.
