2014 NWSL Championship


The 2014 NWSL Championship was the second edition of the NWSL Championship, the championship match of the National Women's Soccer League, and took place on August 31, 2014. FC Kansas City won 2–1 against NWSL Shield holders Seattle Reign FC, becoming NWSL champions for the first time. The match took place at Seattle's home Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Washington.

Road to the final

Seattle Reign FC

After missing the playoffs in the NWSL's inaugural season, Seattle Reign FC won the NWSL Shield in the 2014 season with the best record in the league. They were led by NWSL Most Valuable Player and NWSL Golden Boot winner Kim Little along with NWSL Team of the Year selections Jess Fishlock and Nahomi Kawasumi. In the playoff semifinals, a penalty scored by Little, a penalty saved by Hope Solo, and a goal scored by Megan Rapinoe gave the Reign a 2–1 win over the fourth seed Washington Spirit.

FC Kansas City

After sweeping the NWSL's inaugural major awards, FC Kansas City repeated their success in the 2014 season and again placed second in the league standings. They were led by returning NWSL Most Valuable Player Lauren Holiday, repeating NWSL Defender of the Year Becky Sauerbrunn, and NWSL Golden Boot runner-up Amy Rodriguez. In the playoff semifinals, a rematch from the previous year's playoffs, Rodriguez and Holiday each scored as Kansas City won 2–0 against the defending champion and third seed Portland Thorns FC.

Match

Details