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Nahomi Kawasumi

Nahomi Kawasumi (川澄 奈穂美, Kawasumi Nahomi, born 23 September 1985) is a Japanese footballer who plays either as a midfielder or forward for Japanese club Albirex Niigata. A full international since 2008, she won gold at the 2011 World Cup as well as silver at the 2012 London Olympics and 2015 World Cup. During the 2011 World Cup, she scored two goals—including a lob at 35 yards away against Sweden during the semifinals—helping Japan eventually win the tournament for the first time in its history.

Nahomi Kawasumi
Kawasumi, April 2017
Personal information
Full name Nahomi Kawasumi[1]
Date of birth (1985-09-23) 23 September 1985 (age 39)[2]
Place of birth Yamato, Kanagawa, Japan
Height 1.57 m (5 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Forward, Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Albirex Niigata Ladies
Number 19
Youth career
1998–2003 Yamato Sylphid
2004–2007 Nippon Sport Science University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2016 INAC Kobe Leonessa 144 (58)
2014 → Seattle Reign FC (loan) 22 (9)
2016–2018 Seattle Reign FC 48 (9)
2016 → INAC Kobe Leonessa (loan) 11 (2)
2019–2023 NJ/NY Gotham FC 66 (2)
2020 → INAC Kobe Leonessa (loan) 9 (0)
2023– Albirex Niigata Ladies 0 (0)
International career‡
2008–2018 Japan 90 (20)
Medal record
INAC Kobe Leonessa
Winner Nadeshiko League 2011
Winner Nadeshiko League 2012
Winner Nadeshiko League 2013
Runner-up Nadeshiko League 2008
Runner-up Nadeshiko League 2016
Winner Nadeshiko League Cup 2013
Runner-up Nadeshiko League Cup 2012
Winner Empress's Cup 2010
Winner Empress's Cup 2011
Winner Empress's Cup 2012
Winner Empress's Cup 2013
Winner Empress's Cup 2015
Winner Empress's Cup 2016
Runner-up Empress's Cup 2008
Representing  Japan
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2012 London Team
FIFA Women's World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2011 Germany
Silver medal – second place 2015 Canada
AFC Women's Asian Cup
Gold medal – first place 2014 Vietnam
Gold medal – first place 2018 Jordan
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Vietnam
Bronze medal – third place 2010 China
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2010 Guangzhou Team
Silver medal – second place 2014 Incheon Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 5:27, 24 July 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18:02, 23 February 2023 (UTC)

Early life

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Kawasumi was raised in Kanagawa Prefecture about 40 minutes south of Tokyo where she began playing soccer as a youth following the lead of her older sister.[3] She played for the Rinkan Lemons while in elementary school along with future Japanese national team defender Megumi Kamionobe.[3] Kawasumi and Kamionobe scored approximately 70% of the team's goals.[3] Kawasumi attended Nippon Sport Science University.[4]

Club career

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INAC Kobe Leonessa

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Kawasumi signed with INAC Kobe Leonessa in 2008.[4] In 2011, she was named the league's most valuable player after captaining INAC to its first league championship title.[4] The team finished the 2011 season with a 12–3–0 record and 39 points.[5]

During the 2013 season, Kawasumi was named the league's most valuable player for a second time. Her twelve goals were second only to her teammate Beverly Goebel.[6] She was also named to the league's Best Eleven team for the fourth year in a row.[7] INAC finished first in the league with a 16–0–2 record securing their third championship in three consecutive years.[8] Their 48 points were 10 more than second place team Nippon TV Beleza.

During the 2013 International Women's Club Championship, Kawasumi scored INAC's second goal during their 3–0 semi-final win against Chilean team, Colo-Colo Femenino.[9] INAC Kobe won the tournament with a 4–2 win over Chelsea L.F.C. in the final.[10][11]

In September 2014, Kawasumi returned to INAC Kobe Leonessa after she finished the 2014 NWSL season for Seattle Reign FC on loan.[12]

Seattle Reign FC (loan)

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In February 2014, Kawasumi signed with Seattle Reign FC on loan for the 2014 National Women's Soccer League season.[13] After scoring two goals including the game-winning goal against the Boston Breakers to lift Seattle to a 3–2 win on 6 July 2014, Kawasumi was named NWSL Player of the Week.[14] A few weeks later during a match against the 2013 champions Portland Thorns FC, Kawasumi scored two goals and served an assist to help the Reign win 5–0.[15] She was subsequently named NWSL Player of the Week for the second time during week 16 of the season.[16][17] Kawasumi finished the 2014 season, having scored 9 goals and provided 5 assists.[18] And she was selected to the NWSL Best XI for the 2014 Season.[19]

Seattle Reign FC

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In June 2016, Kawasumi re-signed with NWSL club Seattle Reign FC.[20] Kawasumi scored a brace on her debut against the Boston Breakers just days after re-signing, earning her NWSL Player of the Week honors.[21] Despite her efforts, the Reign finished fifth in the 2016 NWSL season, missing the play-offs for the first time in three years. Kawasumi played in all ten matches for the Reign after re-signing, starting eight and scoring three goals.

On 13 May 2017, Kawasumi set a new NWSL single-game record with four assists in a 6–2 win over the Washington Spirit.[22] She continued her good run of form in the rest of the 2017 season, playing in all 24 games and scoring six goals.[23] Despite her contribution, Seattle again finished fifth and missed the play-offs.

Following the arrival of new head coach Vlatko Andonovski, Kawasumi saw her playing time diminish and finished the 2018 season scoreless.[23] During the offseason, Kawasumi asked for a trade to maximize her playing time ahead of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 2020 Summer Olympics in her home country.[24]

INAC Kobe Leonessa (loan)

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Following the conclusion of 2016 NWSL season, Kawasumi signed with former club INAC Kobe Leonessa on loan for the rest of its 2016 L.League season.[25] She helped the club win the 2016 Empress's Cup despite not playing in the final.[26]

NJ/NY Gotham FC

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On 15 January 2019, Seattle Reign FC traded Kawasumi to fellow NWSL club Sky Blue FC (later NJ/NY Gotham FC) in exchange for American forward Shea Groom.[24] On 8 July 2023, Kawasumi and Gotham mutually agreed to terminate her contract.[27]

Albirex Niigata

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On 23 July 2023, Kawasumi returned to Japan to sign with WE League club Albirex Niigata.[28]

International career

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Kawasumi (right) during the 2012 Summer Olympics gold medal match against the United States.

Senior

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Kawasumi began playing for the Japan national team, also known as Nadeshiko Japan, in 2008. She scored her first international goal against Finland at the 2011 Algarve Cup.[29]

During the semi-final match of the 2011 World Cup against Sweden, Kawasumi scored two goals helping Japan win 3–1 and advance to the final against the United States.[30][31][32] Kawasumi was in the starting line-up for the first time during the game and scored the equalizer in the 18th minute and the game-winning goal in the 64th.[33] Japan eventually defeated the United States in penalty kicks to clinch the gold medal.[34][35][36]

Kawasumi was named to Japan's roster for the 2012 London Olympics and scored her first goal of the tournament during the team' first group stage match against Canada. Japan defeated Canada 2–1.[37] Japan finished second in their group after tying both Sweden and South Africa 0–0.[37] After defeating Brazil 2–0 in the quarter-finals, Japan faced France in the semi-finals and won 2–1 advancing to the final.[38] The team was defeated 2–1 by the United States in the final earning Japan a silver medal at the tournament.[39] Kawasumi finished the tournament having played in every match for Japan and scoring one goal.[40]

Kawasumi remained an integral part of the Nadeshiko side, helping the team finish runners-up in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. Her cross forced a last-minute own goal by English defender Laura Bassett and sent Japan into the final.[41]

Following Japan's failed qualification to the 2016 Summer Olympics, new national team head coach Asako Takakura left off many veterans (including Kawasumi) in favor of younger players. However, Kawasumi was surprisingly recalled to the Nadeshiko in March 2018, following a two-year absence.[42] Her experience helped the team lift the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup. Faced with a real chance to make Japan's 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup roster and with playing time diminished at Seattle Reign FC, Kawasumi requested a trade and joined Sky Blue FC in January 2019.[24]

Off the pitch

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Kawasumi has appeared in commercials for CalorieMate,[43] Toyota,[44] and skin care line Acnelogy.[45]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of 7 July 2023
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
INAC Kobe Leonessa 2008 Nadeshiko League 21 3 4 2 - 25 5
2009 Nadeshiko League 21 10 3 0 - 24 10
2010 Nadeshiko League 18 8 4 2 5 2 27 12
2011 Nadeshiko League 16 12 4 2 - 20 14
2012 Nadeshiko League 18 8 4 1 5 2 27 11
2013 Nadeshiko League 18 12 4 2 10 5 32 19
2014 Nadeshiko League 9 1 2 0 - 11 1
2015 Nadeshiko League 23 4 5 1 - 28 5
Total 144 58 30 10 20 9 194 77
Seattle Reign FC (loan) 2014 NWSL 22 9 - - 22 9
Seattle Reign FC 2016 NWSL 10 3 - - 10 3
2017 NWSL 24 6 - - 24 6
2018 NWSL 14 0 - - 14 0
Total 70 18 - - 70 18
INAC Kobe Leonessa (loan) 2016 Nadeshiko League 11 2 1 0 3 0 15 2
NJ/NY Gotham FC 2019 NWSL 19 0 - - 19 0
2020 NWSL -[c] - 6 1 6 1
2021 NWSL 24 1 - 5 0 29 1
2022 NWSL 20 1 - 6 1 26 2
2023 NWSL 4 0 - 0 0 4 0
Total 66 2 - 17 2 84 4
INAC Kobe Leonessa (loan) 2020 Nadeshiko League 9 0 1 0 - 10 0
Career total 301 80 32 10 42 11 373 101
  1. ^ Empress's Cup
  2. ^ includes Nadeshiko League Cup, NWSL Challenge Cup
  3. ^ Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic


International

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As of 2 August 2018[46][47]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National Team Year Apps Goals
Japan 2008 1 0
2009 2 0
2010 7 0
2011 13 6
2012 16 3
2013 11 3
2014 17 6
2015 11 1
2016 4 1
2017 0 0
2018 8 0
Total 90 20
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kawasumi goal.
List of international goals scored by Nahomi Kawasumi
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 4 March 2011 Lagos, Portugal   Finland 2–0 5–0 2011 Algarve Cup
2 9 March 2011 Parchal, Portugal   Sweden | 1–2 1–2 2011 Algarve Cup
3 13 July 2011 Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt, Germany   Sweden 1–1 3–1 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup
4 3–1
5 1 September 2011 Shandong Provincial Stadium, Jinan, China   Thailand 1–0 3–0 2012 Summer Olympics qualification
6 5 September 2011 Shandong Provincial Stadium, Jinan, China   Australia 1–0 1–0 2012 Summer Olympics qualification
7 29 February 2012 Parchal, Portugal   Norway 2–1 2–1 2012 Algarve Cup
8 7 March 2012 Estádio Algarve, Faro, Portugal   Germany 1–2 3–4 2012 Algarve Cup
9 25 July 2012 City of Coventry Stadium, Coventry, United Kingdom   Canada 1–0 2–1 2012 Summer Olympics
10 11 March 2013 Estádio Algarve, Faro, Portugal   Denmark 2–0 2–0 2013 Algarve Cup
11 26 June 2013 Pirelli Stadium, Burton upon Trent, England   England 1–1 1–1 Friendly Match
12 22 September 2013 Nagasaki Athletic Stadium, Isahaya, Japan   Nigeria 2–0 2–0 Friendly Match
13 26 May 2014 Thống Nhất Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam   Vietnam 1–0 4–0 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup
14 4–0
15 18 September 2014 Namdong Asiad Rugby Field, Incheon, South Korea   Jordan 1–0 12–0 2014 Asian Games
16 12–0
17 22 September 2014 Incheon Munhak Stadium, Incheon, South Korea   Chinese Taipei 0–3 0–3 2014 Asian Games
18 28 October 2014 Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Canada   Canada 0–3 0–3 Friendly Match
19 9 March 2015 Stadium Bela Vista, Parchal, Portugal   France 1–0 1–3 2015 Algarve Cup
20 7 March 2016 Kincho Stadium, Osaka, Japan   Vietnam 3–1 6–1 2016 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament

Honours

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INAC Kobe Leonessa

Seattle Reign FC

Japan

Individual

MVP: 2011, 2013
Top Scorers (1): 2011
Best XI: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Player of the Week: Week 13, Week 16 (2014 season); Week 11 (2016 season); Week 5 (2017 season)
Best XI: 2014

References

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  1. ^ "FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 – List of Players: Japan" (PDF). FIFA. 6 July 2015. p. 13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 February 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Japanese Medalists in London 2012 Olympics". joc.or.jp. Japanese Olympic Committee. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  3. ^ a b c Shimizu, Toshiyuki (14 July 2012). "Friendly rivalry kept Kawasumi working hard". Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  4. ^ a b c Yoshida, Junya (1 December 2011). "Kawasumi's fairy-tale season continues". The Asahi Shimbun. Archived from the original on 1 December 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  5. ^ "INAC Kobe seals 1st Nadeshiko League title". The Asahi Shimbun. 12 November 2011. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  6. ^ Mayers, Joshua (10 February 2014). "Reign FC signs Japanese midfielder Nahomi Kawasumi on loan for 2014 season". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  7. ^ "Reign signs Japanese league MVP Kawasumi". Soccer America. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  8. ^ Griffiths, Lowri (15 October 2013). "INAC Kobe Secure 2013 L-League Championship". Pitchside Report. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  9. ^ Kassouf, Jeff (4 December 2013). "Chelsea, INAC Kobe advance to Mobcast Cup final". The Equalizer. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  10. ^ Kassouf, Jeff (8 December 2013). "INAC Kobe Leonessa win 2013 Mobcast Cup". The Equalizer. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  11. ^ Bond, Steve (8 December 2013). "Chelsea Ladies lose to Inac Kobe Leonessa despite defiant late rally". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  12. ^ "Kawasumi, Reign bonded on language of soccer" The Equalizer. 30 August 2014. Retrieve 9 March 2016.
  13. ^ "Reign Announce Addition of Japan's Nahomi Kawasumi". Sounder at Heart. 10 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  14. ^ "NAHOMI KAWASUMI VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK". National Women's Soccer League. 8 July 2014. Archived from the original on 20 July 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  15. ^ Scoby, Ashley (27 July 2014). "With Nahomi Kawasumi leading the way, Seattle Reign blows away Portland 5–0". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  16. ^ Collins, Antonietta. "NWSL Player of the Week: Naho Kawasumi". ESPN. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  17. ^ "NAHOMI KAWASUMI VOTED NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK". National Women's Soccer League. 29 July 2014. Archived from the original on 17 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  18. ^ NWSL Team History Seattle Reign FC 2014 Archived 24 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine National Women's Soccer League.Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  19. ^ NWSL ANNOUNCES 2014 BEST XI Archived 7 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine National Women's Soccer League. 29 August 2014.Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  20. ^ "Nahomi Kawasumi Returns to Seattle Reign FC". Seattle Reign FC. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  21. ^ "Nahomi Kawasumi Scores Brace in Reign FC Victory over Boston". Seattle Reign FC. 4 July 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  22. ^ "Nahomi Kawasumi's Record-Setting Performance". Seattle Reign FC. 7 May 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  23. ^ a b "Nahomi Kawasumi Departs Seattle After Four Seasons with Reign FC". Seattle Reign FC. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  24. ^ a b c "Seattle Reign FC Acquires Forward Shea Groom in Trade with Sky Blue FC". Seattle Reign FC. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  25. ^ "Four Reign FC Players on Loan for Offseason". Seattle Reign FC. 22 October 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  26. ^ "Reign Roundup: Naho Claims Empress Cup". Seattle Reign FC. 28 December 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  27. ^ "Gotham FC and Nahomi "Naho" Kawasumi Mutually Agree to Player Release". OurSportsCentral (Press release). NJ/NY Gotham FC. 8 July 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  28. ^ "川澄 奈穂美 選手 新規加入のお知らせ - アルビレックス新潟レディース" (in Japanese). 23 July 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  29. ^ "Nadeshiko Japan finish third in Algarve Cup". Japan Football Association. 10 March 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  30. ^ "Kawasumi double puts Japan in Women's World Cup final". The Independent. 14 July 2011. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  31. ^ "JAPAN RIDES TWO GOALS FROM KAWASUMI TO WORLD CUP FINAL". TSN. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  32. ^ Gerstner, Joanne C. (13 July 2011). "FOR JAPAN, AN EMOTIONAL VICTORY OVER SWEDEN". ESPN. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  33. ^ "I put pressure on myself, says goal hero Kawasumi". Japan Football Association. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  34. ^ Parker, Graham (9 August 2012). "Olympic women's soccer 2012 – USA 2–1 Japan – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  35. ^ Gregory, Sean (17 July 2011). "Japan Beats U.S. in Thrilling Women's World Cup Final". Time. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  36. ^ Gottlieb, Benjamin (17 July 2011). "Women's soccer a "beautiful flower" for post-disaster Japan". CNN. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  37. ^ a b "London 2012 Women's Football". Olympic Committee. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  38. ^ "Japan beats France to reach final". ESPN. 6 August 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  39. ^ "Gold Medal Game". The New York Times. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  40. ^ "Nahomi Kawasumi". FIFA. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  41. ^ Evans, Simon (5 July 2015). "Women's World Cup final: five Japan players to watch". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  42. ^ "Kawasumi returns as Japan name squad for Jordan 2018". AFC. 19 March 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  43. ^ "30s Naomi Kawasumi CM Calorie Mate". CalorieMate. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  44. ^ "INAC Kobe – Toyota Vitz Commercial". Toyota. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  45. ^ "Nahomi Kawasumi commercials". Acnelogy. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  46. ^ Japan Football Association(in Japanese)
  47. ^ List of match in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Archived 11 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine, 2016, 2018 at Japan Football Association (in Japanese)
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