SEATTLE, WA– Seattle Reign FC (17-2-6) punched their ticket to the NWSL Championship match with a 2-1 victory over the Washington Spirit (12-8-5) in an NWSL semifinal on Sunday, August 24 at the Moda Pitch at Memorial Stadium.

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Seattle will now host FC Kansas City next Sunday at 12 p.m. (PT) at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Wash. for the league title. Tickets for the match will go on sale to the general public at noon on Tuesday, August 26.

After a scoreless first half that saw both Seattle and Washington just miss the goal several times, Washington got on the board first in the 65th minute. Midfielder Diana Matheson cut back a pass from the end line to midfielder Veronica Perez, who took one touch before burying a shot past goalkeeper Hope Solo.

Washington Husky grad #17 Veronica Perez scores for the Spirit shortly after entering the match – Wilson Tsoi sequence

Six minutes later, it would be 2014 NWSL Golden Boot winner Kim Little coming through with the equalizer on a penalty kick (her second attempt after the first was called back for encroachment), after a shot on the near post by U.S. Women’s National Team forward Sydney Leroux was knocked away by defender Toni Pressley, with the latter being called for a handball.

The Spirit nearly retook the lead on a penalty shot of their own in the 78th minute, after another handball was called in the box. This time, Solo was able to knock away the shot into the top left corner by Matheson to keep the score knotted at one.

Kim Little converts a penalty kick retake

In the 82nd minute, forward Megan Rapinoe gave Reign FC the game-winner, taking the ball away from Pressley on the backline, and shooting a rocket to the top right corner over the outstretched arms of Harris in a one-on-one opportunity for the game’s final goal.

Seattle finishes the season series with the Spirit with a record of 3-0-1. Reign FC defeated the Spirit 3-1 on April 23 at Memorial Stadium, with goals from forward Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi, midfielder Jessica Fishlock, and defender Kendall Fletcher leading Seattle in the win.

Hope Solo saves a Washington PK try

On May 3, Seattle knocked off Washington 2-1 at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Maryland, with Fishlock and Leroux notching goals.

Reign FC clinched an undefeated home regular season record on August 9 with a 1-1 draw with the Spirit in Seattle, with Little breaking past a line of four Washington defenders for Seattle’s lone goal.

With the victory on Sunday — Seattle’s first-ever playoff win — Reign FC advances to the 2014 NWSL Championship next Sunday to face FC Kansas City, who beat Portland 2-0 on Saturday to clinch their spot. That match will be played at Tukwila’s Starfire Stadium due to a scheduling conflict at Memorial Stadium.

To purchase tickets to the NWSL Championship match, visit ReignFC.com or call (855) REIGN-FC beginning Tuesday, August 26 at noon (PT).

Megan Rapinoe blasts home the Seattle winner

Seattle Reign FC vs. Washington Spirit August 24, 2014 — Moda Pitch at Memorial Stadium (Seattle, Wash.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Seattle Reign FC 0 2 2

Washington Spirit 0 1 1

Scoring Summary

WAS – Veronica Perez, 65’ (Matheson)

SEA – Kim Little, 72’

SEA – Megan Rapinoe, 82’

Misconduct Summary

WAS – Averbuch (Caution) – 31’

WAS – Nairn (Caution), 90’+

SEA – Fletcher (Caution), 90’+

Lineups & Stats

SEA: GK Hope Solo, D Stephanie Cox, D Lauren Barnes, D Kendall Fletcher, D Kate Deines, M Keelin Winters, M Jessica Fishlock, M Kim Little, F Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi, F Sydney Leroux, F Megan Rapinoe (Beverly Goebel, 86’)

WAS: GK Ashlyn Harris, D Alex Singer, D Tori Huster, D Toni Pressley, M Diana Matheson, M Yael Averbuch (Veronica Perez, 62’), D Ali Krieger, M Crystal Dunn, M Christine Nairn, F Jodie Taylor, F Kerstin Garefrekes (Robyn Gayle, 89’)

Referee: Timon Berry

Assistant Referees: Cory Richardson; Adrienne McDonald

Fourth Official: Juliana Duncan

Attendance: 4,540

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