Kim Little’s goal early in the second half gave Seattle Reign FC a 1-0 victory over FC Kansas City in a rematch of the last two NWSL Championships, both of which went to the Blues. Two weeks after the shocking end of the Reign’s Memorial Stadium unbeaten streak to Sky Blue, the two-time Shield winners embarked on a new streak while winning their second straight overall. FC Kansas City have taken just a single point from three matches on the season.
The goal came in the 56th minute through a moment of Little brilliance that saw her expertly elude Amanda Frisbie in 18-yard box and quickly get off a shot that left Kansas City keeper Nicole Barnhart unable to react. Barnhart had raced off her line to disrupt a chance for Merritt Mathias, but Mathias chased the ball down on the left wing and sent a cross to the other side of the box and eventually found Little.
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Neither team was at full strength on the night. The Reign were without Jess Fishlock who broke a bone in her leg a week ago in Boston, and Manon Melis limped off in the second half. Mathias also left the game after taking a knock but looked much more comfortable than Melis. FC Kansas City were missing injured Tiffany McCarty plus Shea Groom who was sent off last weekend. The absense of those two left an already thin Blues attack unable to muster much in the final third. Heathher O’Reilly put in a workmanlike effort on the flanks but was unable to translate it into much in the way of dangerous chances.
The Reign (2-1-0, 6 points) are off to Orlando next Sunday for their fist meeting with the expansion Pride. FC Kansas City (0-2-1, 1 point) return home for a Saturday match against the Dash at Swopw Soccer Village.
