Kansas City wins NWSL title with 2-1 victory over Seattle

TUKWILA, Wash. – Amy Rodriguez scored twice and FC Kansas City held on during a wild finish to capture the National Women’s Soccer League WSL championship with a 2-1 win over Seattle Reign FC at Starfire Stadium on Sunday.

Megan Rapinoe capped a crazy sequence – one that saw a shot hit the crossbar and another blocked in the box – with a goal in the 87th minute for Seattle to make for a frantic final few minutes in which two attempts at an equalizer went wide.

It is the first title for Kansas City, which knocked off the league’s defending champion, the Portland Thorns, in the semifinals.

Rodriguez got behind the defense in the 21st minute and beat Reign keeper Hope Solo with her left foot to open the scoring.

Last season’s scoring champion scored what would prove to be the game-winner in the 56th minute after Lauren Holiday provided a timely cross into the box.

The Reign controlled the game from the outset, but were unable to find quality shots on goal.

The Reign were the NWSL regular season champions, losing just twice. They scored a total of five goals against Kansas City in three previous matches this year.