FC KANSAS CITY DEFEATS SEATTLE REIGN

Barnhart Records Fourth Shutout of Season

Tukwila, Was (June 9, 2024) – FC Kansas City concludes its Pacific Northwest tour with a 1-0 victory over the Seattle Reign.  Erika Tymrak scored the game’s only goal in the 63rd minute, her second goal in as many games.  Nicole Barnhart records her fourth win of the season, all of them by shutout, in front of 1,377 fans at Seattle’s Starfire Stadium.

After losing a tough, physical and emotionally-draining game against the Portland Thorns on Thursday night, FC Kansas City needed to come out of this game with some points in order to keep in the top half of the National Women’s Soccer League table.  The task would be especially difficult tonight with the loss of leading scorer, Renae Cuellar, who was injured in Thursday night’s match.

Both teams began play hoping to control the midfield, with FC Kansas City’s Desiree Scott and Kristie Mewis battling to keep the ball in the ‘Blues’ possession.  While both teams were able to put together dangerous attacks, Kansas City was able to hit five shots on goal.  Seattle was only able to muster one.  At halftime, the teams went into the locker room with a 0-0 tie.

Although not quite at the halfway point of the season, a draw would not help Kansas City in their attempts to stay on the top half of the NWSL standings.  A win would catapult them above the Boston Breakers, who lost to the Chicago Red Stars today, into fourth place.  Coach Vlatko Andonovski pushed his players to fight through the fatigue (five Kansas City players were playing in their third game in seven days due to the U.S.A. vs. Canada friendly last Sunday) and push for the first goal.

Erika Tymrak got her second start of the season, tonight filling in for the injured Cuellar.  She made every minute count as she continuously was able to bring the ball up the field with speed and creativity.  Midway through the second half, Lauren Cheney found Tymrak on the right side with a lofting cross.  Tymrak controlled the ball and carried it up the byline towards the waiting Reign goalkeeper, Hope Solo.  Shooting near-post, Tymrak caught Solo off guard and the ball bounced off the goalkeeper into the net.  Although officially scored at gametime as an own-goal, it likely will be credited to Tymrak upon review from league officials.

Rather than sit back to preserve the 1-0 victory, Andonovski inserted speedy Courtney Jones to try and push the attack right back towards the Seattle defense.  Kansas City was able to get off nine shots in the second half, although only the one from Tymrak found the inside of the goal.

FC Kansas City has one more game on its road trip, matching up against the Chicago Red Stars on Thursday, June 13th at 6:30p.m.  As always, fans are encouraged to join the Official Watch Party at Futbol Club KC for all the action.  The team will return home on Sunday June 16th for quick rematch against Chicago at 3:10p.m.  Tickets are available by calling 855.4KC.GOAL or emailing tickets@kcprosoccer.com.

Erika Tymrak – Midfielder:

On her goal…“I was going to check back to Cheney at the top of the box, but when my defender followed me I looked the other way and she found me with a beautiful pass over the defense.  I saw Hope (Solo) and my shot just bounced off her hands into the goal”

On her second straight start…”Each game it gets easier. Playing with the girls more you get to know their tendencies.  I think as the season is coming along we all will continue to get better.”

Vlatko Andonovski – Head Coach:

On the road trip… “It’s tough to be away from home…we’ll take the three points here and try for three more on Thursday.  The players are working hard despite the fact we are asking them to play so many games in such a short turn-around.”

NOTES:

• Nicole Barnhart now has four shut-outs, moving her into a tie for second place in the NWSL.
• To be credited as an own goal, one of three criteria have to be met:
  • A member of the defensive team in full possession of the ball intentionally plays the ball back to his/her goalkeeper and the ball enters his/her own goal
  • A member of the defensive team, in attempting to clear a ball played by an attacking player, other than on a shot at goal, inadvertently clears the ball into his/her own goal
  • A member of the defensive team, in attempting to clear a ball, hits a teammate with the ball and the ball enters his/her own goal
• A shot at goal that deflects off a defender and goes directly or indirectly into his/her own goal – the goal should be credited to attacking player who took the shot. If it is clearly an attempt at goal – whether or not the ball is on target (obviously or not) – the goal shall be given to the attacking player

NWSL Match Report

Match: FC Kansas City vs. Seattle Reign
Date: June 9, 2024
Venue: Starfire Stadium, Overland Park, Kansas
Kickoff: 7:00p.m. PT (10:00pm ET)
Attendance: 1,377
Weather: Sunny 75 degrees

Lineups:
FCKC: 1-Barnhart Goalkeeper; 9-Matthias Right Back, 14-Sesselmann Center Back, 4-Sauerbrunn Center Back, 13-Robinson Left Back; 19-Mewis Midfielder, 6-Buczkowski Midfielder, 11-Scott Midfielder, 15-Tymrak Midfielder (Henderson 75’), 17-Farrelly Midfielder (Jones 63’), 12-Cheney Forward
Head Coach: Vlatko Andonovski

SEA: Barnes, Bogus (Deines 55’), Dallstream, Fishlock, Kyle, Meier, Nairn, Noyola, Solo, Taylor (Larsen 81’), Winters