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Player Spotlight: Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi
May 10, 2023

Player Spotlight: Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi

Four years after helping her home country of Japan win the 2011 World Cup, Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi was ready for something new. She began her professional career in 2008 with INAC Kobe Leonessa, a Japanese club playing in the WE League. In her five years with the club, she won four league titles, two league MVP awards, and was named the Asian Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2013.

With nothing left to prove in the WE League, Kawasumi knew she had to challenge herself if she wanted to continue to grow as a soccer player. She set her sights on the NWSL and, in 2014, signed with then Seattle Reign FC (now OL Reign). Kawasumi quickly made a name for herself in the U.S. as one of the league’s top players, helping guide the Reign to NWSL Shield titles in 2014and 2015, and being named to the league’s Best XI in both seasons.

After the 2018 NWSL season and with the 2019 World Cup approaching, Kawasumi again felt a change was needed to help her best prepare for the world tournament. She joined Gotham FC via trade prior to the 2019 season and has steadily been a key contributor on and off the field.

May is Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage month and Kawasumi is dedicated to helping bring awareness to AANHPI issues and honoring her fellow AANHPI players in the league

“I’m proud to play for a club that embraces and celebrates all people,” said Kawasumi. “Soccer is the world’s game, so it’s very important to highlight all the different individuals who contribute to our amazing community. Whether it’s celebrating the AANHPI community, hosting Pride Night, or utilizing our platform to address social issues important to players and fans, Gotham FC does a great job of sending messages of support. It’s something I enjoy about this club very much.”