In
what was billed as a matchup of league heavyweights, FC Kansas City and
Portland Thorns entered tonight’s matchup looking to settle their
season-long series and put their first step towards the playoffs. A win
for either team would secure their spot in the post-season and a draw
would see both teams qualify. This matchup has seen some of the most
exciting games of the season so far. Tonight’s game, broadcast
nationally on Fox Soccer Channel, might have topped them all.
The
two teams at the top of the NWSL table played a fairly even game, with
each team seeing spurts of possession dominance throughout the first
half. FC Kansas City got on the board first when Leigh Ann Robinson
sent a cross that squirted out to a wide open Lauren Holiday. At that
range, Holiday does not disappoint and found the back of the net before
Portland goalkeeper, Karina LeBlanc, had a chance to react.
The
second half was another battle. Portland was determined to get
themselves into the game while KC saw their playoff berth within reach.
Portland equalized the game when Kansas City was unable to properly
clear a set play in the 51st minute. Portland’s Rachel
Buehler collected the missed clearance and her shot careened off the
side of her foot to her teammate, Danielle Foxhoven. The Thorns forward
was left open and was able to put her side on the board.
The
tie was only temporary though as FC Kansas City answered four minutes
later. The most dangerous midfield combination in the NWSL put their
team back in the lead when Tymrak’s one touch pass with her back to the
goal found Holiday driving into the Thorns’ penalty box. Her shot went
under the outstretched arms of LeBlanc and trickled into the goal.
Kristie
Mewis, whose versatility has been integral in making FC Kansas City the
best defensive team in the NWSL, stepped up offensively in the 74th
minute. “We did an awesome switch of the field to catch the other team
on their heels. I hadn’t taken anyone on all game so I just went for
it,” the rookie explains, “…I put it on my favorite foot and shot…it was
really just a great build up.” Mewis scored her first professional
goal on the biggest stage of the season to date. It ended up as the
game-winner too. Alex Morgan, one of the finalists for FIFA’s award
given to the best female soccer player in the world, was given just a
bit too much open space in the 89th minute and used her left
foot to sneak a shot to the far post just outside of the reach of Nicole
Barnhart. The FC Kansas City defense stood tall throughout the
remainder of the match, which included five minutes of additional time,
to secure the 3-2 victory.
Although
Portland scored two goals, goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart was one of the
best players on the field all night. She faced sixteen shots in the
game, seven of them on goal, and made five saves. Her spectacular play
frustrated the Portland forwards all night long. She saved three
point-blank shots and directed her defense to the league’s longest
undefeated streak (10 games) and the team’s longest winning streak (four
games). By contrast, her counterpart for the Thorns faced four shots
on goal, making only one save.
FC Kansas City retains the first spot in the NWSL table with the win. They also clinched a spot in the playoffs that begin on August 24th. They next travel to Boston to face the Breakers on August 10th at 5:00p.m. CT before returning home for the final regular season game on August 18th against the Chicago Red Stars at 3:10p.m.
1 comment:
It was a great game. I'm glad they had it on Fox Soccer so I could watch it. I'm hoping Kansas City turns out well for the playoffs. Really impressed with Tymrak, Sesselman and Mewis. Lauren Holiday I knew would be solid from the start. It doesn't seem that long ago we watched them play the University of Nebraska team in pre-season.
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