Seattle Reign FC Forward Nahomi Kawasumi Voted NWSL Player of the Week

Seattle Reign FC forward Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi has been voted the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Player of the Week by the media for Week 16 of the 2014 NWSL season.

Kawasumi, 28, had two goals and an assist to lead Reign FC to a 5-0 victory Sunday over Portland Thorns FC at the Moda Pitch at Memorial Stadium in Seattle. It is the second time she has been voted NWSL Player of the Week after also receiving the honor for a two-goal performance in Week 13.

The Yamato, Japan native has seven goals – tied for seventh in the NWSL – in 15 appearances (14 starts) this season while on loan from Japanese club INAC Kobe Leonessa. She is also tied for seventh in the league with four assists.

Kawasumi scored her first goal of the match in the 39th minute when her leaping header at the far post dropped in over the outstretched hands of Portland goalkeeper Nadine Angerer to make the score 2-0 after the forward was set up by a well-weighted cross from midfielder Kim Little. (Goal #1 – Watch highlights)

In the 49th minute, Little produced another cross that Kawasumi once again found crashing the far post and watched as the Japan international put her laces through the ball and blasted a half volley inside Angerer’s far post to give Seattle a 3-0 lead. (Goal #2 – Watch highlights)

Kawasumi then helped make the score 4-0 in the 57th minute when she curled in a cross from the right wing for fellow forward and U.S. international Megan Rapinoe to snap a header in off the left post. (Assist # 1 – Watch highlights)

This marks the third time this season and fifth time overall a Seattle Reign FC player has been voted NWSL Player of the Week – with forward Sydney Leroux earning the award in Week 4, while midfielder Jess Fishlock and forward Megan Rapinoe were both honored in 2013.

Seattle Reign FC returns to action on the road Wednesday, July 30 on ESPN3 at 9 p.m. ET against the Houston Dash at BBVA Compass Stadium. Depending on the result of the game between FC Kansas City and the Washington Spirit earlier that evening, Reign FC could have the opportunity to clinch the NWSL Shield – given to the club with the best regular-season record.