FC Kansas City Play to a 0-0 Draw

From FC Kansas City

On a hot Sunday afternoon in Overland Park 5,031 people packed into Shawnee Mission District Stadium to see FC Kansas City and the Western New York Flash do battle.  Each team would move up a spot in the standings with a win, but FC Kansas City had pride on the line as well.  In their last matchup, the Flash outplayed Kansas City as Abby Wambach scored two goals in the first half and held on for a 2-1 victory.  This time, Vlatko Andonovski had his team prepared.  The defensive grouping of Becky Sauerbrunn, Lauren Sesselmann, Desiree Scott and Jen Buczkowski frustrated the New York attack and kept Wambach off the score sheet.  With no goals scored, each team earns a point and FC Kansas City increases their season long undefeated streak to five games.

The forecasted temperature for this match was 92 degrees, but a thermostat on the field showed temps approaching the century mark as referee Elvis Mahmutovic blew his whistle to open the match.  Knowing they would have to play at their best, FC Kansas City started this game with a more defensive posture than in recent games.  Midfielder Erika Tymrak, playing the central midfielder role usually held by Lauren Cheney, did not take long to find space and turn the tempo for her team.  She pushed the attack, continuously drawing defenders to her leaving Merritt Mathias and Courtney Jones open on the wings.  When left alone, she drove towards goal with such creative attacks that left the Flash defenders visibly confused.

New York made some adjustments in the second half to even play.  However, Scott and Buczkowski were able to keep most of the play in the middle third of the field.  When the Flash were able to attack the Kansas City goal, Sesselmann and Sauerbrunn were able to clear any attempt to find Wambach.  The world’s all-time goal scoring leader was able to get off three shots on goal, but her U.S. Women’s National Team goalkeeper, Nicole Barnhart was able to save every one of them.  Although neither team would score, the 0-0 draw puts FC Kansas City only one point behind the Portland Thorns for second place in the National Women’s Soccer League table.

After playing five games in fifteen days, FC Kansas City will not be in action again until Sunday, June 14th when they travel to Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois to play the Chicago Red Stars.  Gametime is scheduled for 3:00p.m. CT and fans are invited to come to the home of the Official FC Kansas City watch party, Futbol Club KC to catch all the action.  The next home match is July 20th against the Seattle Reign at 7:35p.m. CT.  For tickets and information call 855.4KC.GOAL