NWSL Final 2015: 6 Takeaways

The 2015 NWSL Final was won by FC Kansas City last night (Oct. 1) by a score of 1-0 over Seattle Reign FC. This was a rematch of the 2014 Final, which KC also won, 2-1. Seattle went into each match as the winners of the Supporter's Shield for best regular season record, but KC showed two years straight that its all about that last game. Here are my takeaways from the match

1. Starpower. Arguably the two most stacked teams in the league. Seattle has USWNT players in Hope Solo and Megan Rapinoe, and add to them with 2014 league MVP Kim Little and Welsh international Jess Fishlock. Beverly Yanez also had a solid season up top for the Reign. But on the other side...

2. FCKC has top tier talent, and lots of it. KC has so much talent its ridiculous. They have four players from the World Cup Winning US roster from this past summer: Amy Rodriguez, who scored the lone goal in this years final, as well as KC's two goals in last year's edition. Lauren Holiday, who is the NWSL's all-time leader in assists (18) and second all-time in goals (22). Becky Sauerbrunn, the only player in the history of the NWSL to win Defensive Player of the Year (she's won three times in the league's three year history). Heather O'Reilly, who was acquired via trade with Seattle following the Championship game last season and provided the assist to A-Rod's goal last night. They also have multiple players with USWNT senior squad experience in goalie Nicole Barnhart, defenders Amy LePeilbet and Leigh Ann Robinson, and midfielders Erika Tymrak and Yael Averbuch. KC has so much talent that last night Averbuch was relegated to the bench before being substituted on late in the second half, and she has some serious skills.

3. Jill Ellis was in attendance. She's always evaluating any player that could help the national team win. And with Lauren Holiday's retirement, there seems to be an opening in the central midfield. Morgan Brian is a surefire starter in the middle in my eyes, but depending on what formation Ellis plays and the personnel she uses, Brian could be paired with Carli Lloyd, or would need a new parter should Lloyd play a more forward role. This dilemma could be a whole separate post, but there were  a few players on the field that fill a central or holding midfielders role when paired with Brian.

4. Erika Tymrak was impressive. She was everywhere and playing with a purpose. Constantly involved and one of the more noticeable players, Tymrak seemed to have drawn what would have been a go-ahead penalty kick when she was taken down in the box, but the referee waved play on. I haven't watched enough of Tymrak to know how consistent she is, but seeing as she is only 24 and has been called into the national team before, I definitely see her getting a call into pre-Olympic camp. While she likely won't make the 18-player Olympic roster, she will most certainly be in the mix through the next cycle. She would be 28 during the next World Cup, which should be her prime years as a player, and with most of the current squad in their mid to late 20's/early 30's right now, young players like Tymrak will be looked at to lead the team.

5. Lauren Holiday goes out in a blaze of glory. As previously mentioned, Lauren Holiday will be retiring from professional soccer following the final USWNT Victory Tour game this year. The 27-year-old is among the most decorated players in US Soccer history. Her accomplishments include: All-Time leader in Assists in NWSL history, 2nd All-Time in goals in NWSL history, 2013 NWSL Golden Boot, 2013 NWSL MVP, 2014 NWSL Finals MVP, 2007 US Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year, 2014 US Soccer Female Athlete of the Year, Olympic Gold Medalist in 2008 and 2012, Women's World Cup Gold Medalist in 2015, was a 2015 recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash, and had her #12 jersey retired by FC Kansas City this year, the first player in the league's history to be given that honor.

Representing the United States in international play she has 114 caps and counting, 23 goals and 31 assists.

It is every athlete's dream to win a championship during their final season. Lauren Holiday lived it twice. She will be missed in the soccer community, but at 27 years of age, has a whole lifetime ahead of her. Enjoy retirement #12.

6. HAO and A-Rod want to go to Rio. Heather O'Reilly (HAO, sounds like mayo) and Amy Rodriguez were seldom used during the 2015 World Cup. That didn't mean they weren't still good players, and they've proven it in NWSL and Victory Tour action. HAO has lit up international opponents since the World Cup, netting 5 goals in 3 games. A-Rod has been a rock in the NWSL, having a productive season despite missing time due to the World Cup. She finished 6 chances in 11 games played this year and is one of the more dynamic and unpredictable forwards the US has to offer. Their play following the World Cup to this point, and in the future leading up to Olympic roster selections, has shown, and will have to continue to show, they have had no drop off in form despite getting older and can contribute to the squad moving forward.

The closer we get to Olympic qualifying time is when we can truly start making roster projections for the Rio Games. It may be a pessimistic outlook, but bank on at least one injury to shake up the roster.