There was late drama at Swope Soccer Village on Saturday night, as hosts FC Kansas City and the Seattle Reign drew 2-2 in week 9 NWSL action.
Alexa Newfield struck first for Kansas City in the 23rd minute. Newfield played the ball wide to Erika Tymrac in Seattle’s 18-yard-box, and Tymrak was able to chip a pass back to Newfield, who got her head on it to give Kansas City the advantage.
22′ @newlex8 with the header to the top right corner gives @FCKansasCity the first goal of the game. #KCvSEA 1-0 pic.twitter.com/E5D3CaezmV
— NWSL (@NWSL) June 18, 2017
Seattle responded and levelled the score in the 31st minute. Megan Rapinoe picked up a loose ball near the sideline in Kansas’ third of the field, and tried her hand at goal from the wide angle. Her shot took an awkward bounce under Nicole Barnhart and found the back of the net. It’s unclear if the shot was deflected as it made its way toward Barnhart:
31′ Averaging a league-best 2.1 goals per game this season, the @ReignFC gets its first goal of the game, courtesy @mPinoe. #KCvSEA 1-1 pic.twitter.com/zehRz2C5Do
— NWSL (@NWSL) June 18, 2017
Both teams applied considerable pressure late in the second half looking for the go-ahead goal. In the 74th minute, Kansas City made three huge saves in sequence to keep the game level:
74′ Impressive team defense with three big saves from three different players by @FCKansasCity. #KCvSEA 1-1 pic.twitter.com/T7pRknTRGb
— NWSL (@NWSL) June 18, 2017
But the Reign broke through in the 81st minute, when Christine Nairn fed the ball across the box to Nahomi Kawasumi, who was able to calmly finish the chance in front of goal.
81′ An almost-instant replay of Nahomi Kawasumi’s goal that gave Seattle the short-term lead. #KCvSEA pic.twitter.com/BPTUT6aL75
— NWSL (@NWSL) June 18, 2017
Seattle’s lead was short-lived, however, as Maegan Kelly was able to redirect Yael Averbuch’s sharp cross into the back of the net in the 84th minute to tie it up for Kansas City.
84′ And here’s a look at @maegskell‘s reply to tie things up 2-2. #KCvSEA pic.twitter.com/ZixseSgtzb
— NWSL (@NWSL) June 18, 2017
The two teams meet again next Saturday, June 24 in Seattle.