FC Kansas City Fall in First Game of Road Trip

A high scoring offensive battle between FC Kansas City and the Portland Thorns saw the Blues come up just a goal short after falling behind 2-0 early as they lost 4-3 in Portland.  The game is the first of 3 on the road, and the first of two this weekend as the Blues now travel for a game in Seattle on Sunday.

Alex Morgan gave the Thorns the lead in the 13th minute before Courtney Wetzel doubled the lead in the 20th. FCKC was missing Lauren Sesselmann in the center of defense partnering Becky Sauerbrunn due to her red card in the team's last game against Sky Blue FC.  The Blues got back into the game in the 31st minute.  Renae Cuellar raced towards goal after being played in, but she was fouled from behind by Rachel Buehler.  Lauren Cheney stepped up and buried the PK to make it 2-1.  Unfortunately for KC, Cuellar was unable to continue the game due to the injury she suffered on the foul and was replaced by Courtney Jones.

The Cuellar loss could be big blow depending on how serious it is. After the game FCKC coach Vlatko Andonovski said that x-rays on the ankle were negative so they're just calling it a sprain at the moment.  Here status for Sunday in Seattle is unclear.

Very early in the second half, Portland restored their 2 goal lead as Morgan set up Danielle Foxhoven in the 48th to make it 3-1.  FCKC continued to hang around though and less than 10 minutes later were back within a goal as Leigh Ann Robinson set up Cheney for her second of the night and getting KC back within 1.  The Thorns though were able to take advantage of the Blues pushing numbers forward looking for the equalizer and in the 66th minute, Morgan had her brace as the Thorns again restored their 2 goal lead.  FCKC though would find another goal in the 81st.  Robinson was again the provider, this time setting up Erika Tymrak for her first professional goal to make it 4-3.  The Blues continued to search for an equalizer but couldn't find a 4th themselves as the two teams played to the highest scoring game in the NWSL's short history. 

They'll be back at it Sunday in Seattle and then head to Chicago for the first of a home and home with the Red Stars on Thursday.