NWSL Rewind: Rapinoe finds shooting touch -- and lungs

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Apr 24, 2017

Megan Rapinoe, who missed all but five NWSL games in 2016, scored for the second week in a row, connecting on a spectacular  half-volley in the Seattle Reign's 5-1 win over the Houston Dash.



Rapinoe missed the SheBelieves Cup as she continued to recover from a knee injury suffered in December 2015, but she returned to the U.S. national team and made late appearances off the bench in a pair of wins over Russia on the eve of the NWSL season.

On the goal, Rapinoe took a long pass from Kristen McNabb and hit a first-time shot that looped over Houston keeper Jane Campbell, who was making her pro debut.

She played the entire game, marking the first time she has played 90 minutes for the Reign since the 2015 NWSL final.

“Obviously it’s been a while [since playing the full 90],” said Rapinoe. “I think I have the lungs for it and the legs for it, it’s just kind of getting everything back together. So far it’s good.”

DATEBOOK. Orlando City Stadium will host the 2017 NWSL championship match on Oct. 14. The Pride drew 14,452 fans for its opening game of the 2017 season at its new stadium.

NWSL, WEEK 2:
Chicago 1 (Ertz 41) KC Kansas City 0.
Att.: 2,153.
North Carolina 1 (Debinha 81) Portland 0.
Att.: 6,298.
Orlando 1 (Evans 86) Washington 1 (Sigvardsen­-Jensen 60) 1.
Att.: 14,452.
Seattle 5 (Fishlock 18, Rapinoe 27, McNabb 31, Yanez 55, Johnson 74) Houston 1 (Poliana 84).
Att.: 2,727.
Boston 1 (Dowie 37) Sky Blue FC 0.
Att.: 2,329.

NWSL STANDINGS:
1. North Carolina 6 points; 2. Seattle 4; 3. Houston, FC Kansas City, Chicago, Portland, Boston 3; Washington, Orlando, Sky Blue FC 1.