Nahomi Kawasumi played in her first game with the Seattle Reign this past weekend after rejoining the team a few weeks back. In her first appearance of the season, Kawasumi notched a brace and helped lead the Reign to a 2-0 victory over the Boston Breakers. For her efforts, “Homi” was voted NWSL Player of the Week for Week 11 of the 2016 season.
Starts off in fine fashion
Kawasumi, 30, recently had played with Seattle in 2014 after she was on a season-long loan from INAC Kobe Leonessa. She returned in June of this year and started right off where she left the 2014 season, scoring goals. She scored her first goal of the season in the 14th minute when her shot on goal deflected off of a Breakers player and into the back of the net. It was her tenth career NWSL goal.
“Homi” puts game away in second half
Kawasumi doubled the Reign’s lead in the 62nd minute. She received a long pass from midfielder and Captain Keelin Winters was able to control this pass around a slew of Boston defenders. She was then able to shot the ball with her left foot over the outstretched fingertips of Breakers goalkeeper Jami Kranich. Kawasumi played all 90 minutes in her debut and had three shots on goal.
Third award for Kawasumi
This is the third time in her NWSL career that Kawasumi has been voted NWSL Player of the Week and it's the 12th time overall that a Seattle player as earned that honor. Teammate Kim Little was named Player of the Week for Week 2 and Week 3 earlier in the season.
What’s next
Seattle heads back on the road to take on the Western New York Flash this coming Saturday, July 9th. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm ET at Frontier Field in Rochester, NY. The came can be seen on the NWSL’s YouTube Channel.
The NWSL Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season by the NWSL Media Association, a collection of press that covers the league on a consistent basis.