The 2014 Seattle Reign FC season was the club's second season of play and their second season in the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States.
Following an inaugural 2013 season that saw the team finish 7th out of 8 teams, the roster was significantly overhauled by Head Coach and GM Laura Harvey, with only 9 players returning for the 2014 season. In November, the team acquired US National team forward Sydney Leroux in a trade with the Boston Breakers. Two days later, they signed Scottish international Kim Little — who had previously played for Harvey at Arsenal — after acquiring her NWSL rights in a trade with the Washington Spirit.
In the January 2014 NWSL College Draft, the team selected Amanda Frisbie of Portland (1st round), Megan Brigman of North Carolina (2nd round), and Ellen Parker of Portland (4th round). In February, they announced that they would be moving home stadiums from Starfire Sports in Tukwila to Memorial Stadium, located near downtown Seattle in Seattle Center. On February 10 they announced the signing of their third international player, adding Japanese national team midfielder Nahomi Kawasumi on loan from Japanese club side INAC Kobe Leonessa.
During the 2014 season, the Reign set a league record unbeaten streak of 16 games. During the 16 game stretch, the Reign compiled a 13âÂÂ0âÂÂ3 record. The streak came to an end July 12, 2014, in a match against the Chicago Red Stars that ended 1âÂÂ0 in favor of the Red Stars. The team finished first in the regular season clinching the NWSL Shield for the first time. Following the regular season, the team earned several league awards. Kim Little won the Golden Boot and Most Valuable Player awards; Laura Harvey was named Coach of the Year; Kendall Fletcher, Jess Fishlock, Little and Nahomi Kawasumi were named to the NWSL Best XI team while goalkeeper Hope Solo and defenders Lauren Barnes and Stephanie Cox were named to the Second XI team.
After defeating the Washington Spirit 2âÂÂ1 in the playoff semi-finals, the Reign were defeated 2-1 by FC Kansas City during the championship final.
Note: only regular season squad statistics displayed
Key to positions: FW â Forward, MF â Midfielder, DF â Defender, GK â Goalkeeper