NWSL Rewind: Seattle and FCKC fall in stunners

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Apr 18, 2016

The Seattle Reign won back-to-back regular-season NWSL titles thanks in large part to its invincibility at Memorial Stadium. But its perfect record since moving from Starfire Sports Complex prior to the 2014 season ended Sunday when it lost to Sky Blue FC, 2-1, on goals by Tasha Kai and Kelly Conheenney.

Kai had not played in five years, while Conheeney was making her pro debut more than two years after finishing up at Virginia Tech. She had been working for Coaches Across Continents as she recovered from post-concussion symptoms.

The Sky Blue victory would have been by a bigger margin but for Seattle keeper Hope Solo’s save on Sarah Killion’s penalty kick.

“Obviously, we are very happy with this result,” said first-year Sky Blue coach Christy Holly. “We came in with a game plan, and we executed parts of it. However, we know we can be better. The main thing we want to walk away from this game with is knowing that this is just the first step in a very long journey.”

The Western New York Flash stunned two-time defending champion FC Kansas City with a 1-0 win on Samantha Mewis' penalty kick at Children’s Mercy Park in front of 8,022 fans.

Midfielders Dagny Brynjarsdottir and Lindsey Horan scored in their debuts, thanks to assists from midfielder Tobin Heath as the Portland Thorns opened the season with a 2-1 come-from-behind win over the expansion Orlando Pride in front 16,073 fans – the largest crowd for a Thorns opener at Providence Park – on Sunday night.

WEEK 1:
April 16
Houston 3 Chicago 1. Goals: Daly 22, Lloyd 51, Beckie 53; Press 13.
Att.: 7,440.
FC Kansas City 0 WNY Flash 1. Goal: Mewis 72.
Att.: 8,022.
Washington 1 Boston 0. Goal: Lohman 3.
Att.:  3,578.
April 17
Portland 2 Orlando 1. Goals: Brynjarsdottir 25, Horan 82; Catley 12.
Att.:  16,073.
Seattle 1 Sky Blue FC 2. Kai 15, Conheeney 68; Mathias 56.
Att.:  3,987.