Seattle Reign FC to host Arsenal Ladies FC
Seattle Reign FC is set to face Arsenal Ladies FC in their third hosted international friendly on May 26
Adding to their list of friendlies to be played this year, Seattle Reign FC announced earlier today that roughly six matches into the season, between their match against the Chicago Red Stars and Portland Thorns, the club would be hosting Arsenal Ladies FC on May 26 at Memorial Stadium in Seattle, Washington.
This is the first time in a decade that the Arsenal ladies will be playing in the United States. This event also marks the third time that Seattle has hosted an international friendly. In 2013, the Reign hosted the Haitian Women’s National Team shutting out Haiti with a 6-0 victory and in 2015 the Reign hosted the Chinese Women’s National Team where they had a 1-1 draw.
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Seattle Reign FC head coach Laura Harvey knows a thing or two about Arsenal Ladies FC as it is her former club. For four years (2008-2012), Harvey led the Arsenal Ladies to an astounding 91-8-10 record. During that time, Harvey received the honor of being named the FAWSL coach of the year in 2011, won the league title, FA Cup, and Continental Cup.
Her career with Arsenal Ladies FC ended on a high note in 2012 after leading the team to three consecutive league titles, two Continental Cups, and one FA Women’s Cup. From there, Harvey moved right into the NWSL being named Seattle Reign’s first head coach in December of 2012.
Another familiar face that is no stranger to the club is Reign midfielder Kim Little. Little joined the Gunners’ squad at the age of 16 where she played for six seasons and played a key role in helping the league win four titles, three FA cups, and four league cups before joining Seattle’s roster in 2014.
On the other end of the pitch is someone who is quite familiar with the NWSL. Current Arsenal Ladies FC head coach Pedro Martinez Losa spent two seasons as an assistant coach under head coach Aaran Lines for the Western New York Flash in 2013 and 2014. During his time with Western New York, Losa helped lead the Flash to a regular season championship title.
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Players that the Seattle Reign roster will be facing include prominent English , Dutch, Irish, and Spanish internationals like Emma Byrne, Danielle Van de Donk, Vicky Losado, Jordan Nobbs, Natalia Pablos Sanchon, Alex Scott, Casey Stoney, and Fara Williams. Nobbs, Scott, Stoney, and Williams all participated in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.
Currently the Arsenal Ladies FC hold the third place spot in the Women’s Super League where they collected 27 points with a 8-3-3 record. Their 2016 trek towards a Women’s Super League title begins later this week on March 23.
It’s definitely going to be one of the more interesting friendlies seeing as how there are so many different ties between players and coaches. The Seattle Reign FC is ready to treat their fans to quality international futbol in May.
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Playing world class teams such as Arsenal Ladies FC and the previously mentioned national teams, Seattle Reign continues to build experience for themselves on a playing level while also building pretty special moments for the fans in Seattle who likely wouldn’t be able to see the Gunners perform otherwise. Fans wishing to be at the game can purchase tickets here. You’re not going to want to miss a second of the action between these spectacular athletes!