FC Kansas City Fall on the Road

From FC Kansas City

FC Kansas City last suffered defeat on June 16th.  Since then they have run a ten game streak that saw them go undefeated and vault past other National Women’s Soccer League teams to first place in the standings.  Against Boston today, who were eliminated from the playoffs on Wednesday, they were held scoreless for only the third time all season and had their streak snapped as they fall 0-1 to the Breakers.  The team still has the opportunity to secure home-field advantage with a win next weekend at home against the Chicago Red Stars.

FC Kansas City owned the season series to this point, last defeating the Breakers at home July 24th by the score of 3-0.  Since then, the Breakers dismissed their head coach and are being led by player-coach Cat Whitehill for the remainder of the season.  Whitehill has given her team the confidence needed to finish the season strong.  For FC Kansas City, they started the match without Melissa Henderson in her normal forward position due to a lingering knee injury. 

Although possession was fairly even throughout the first half, FC Kansas City’s did not take advantage of any of its chances as many of their shots were high or wide of target.  Boston had several chances off the mark as well, but had much better luck in the second half.  The ‘Blues’ were outshot for only the second time all season as Boston found five on goal to Kansas City’s two.  Sydney Leroux found the only goal of the game in the 65th minute when she managed to knock one far post, just out of goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart’s reach.  The 1-0 score would stand through the final as FC Kansas City was held scoreless for only the second time all season.  

FC Kansas City returns home Sunday August 18th at 3:10p.m. CT to face the Chicago Red Stars in the final regular season home game.  The ‘Blues’ can still clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win against Chicago.