FC Kansas City Settles For Another Tie on the Road
Spirit Penalty Kick in 87th Minute Leads to 1-1 Draw
BOYDS, Maryland (July 3, 2024) – The scene was all too familiar for FC Kansas City Wednesday night at the Maryland Soccer Complex. Just a week ago, the team saw a two goal lead begin to evaporate at the 85th minute, eventually ending with a 2-2 tie at Sky Blue FC. Tonight, the Blues held a 1-0 lead at the 87th minute when Spirit forward Tiffany McCarty was fouled in the box by Blues’ defender Becky Sauerbrunn and awarded a penalty kick by referee Kara Honthumb. Taking the kick was Spirit’s Diana Matheson, who beat FC Kansas City keeper Nicole Barnhart with a high chip shot, tying the score at 1-1, which would became the final tally in front of 2,467 fans.
In the scoreless first half, FC Kansas City attacked early and often using runs on the right and left sides by Leigh Ann Robinson and Kristie Mewis. Minus the services of NWSL leading scorer Lauren Cheney for the first of two games, the Blues still pressured the Spirit defense all evening with forwards Erika Tymrak and Melissa Henderson. Finally at the 55th minute, Tymrak put a well-placed shot from outside the box past Spirit keeper Ashlyn Harris for the game’s first score. Tymrak had an opportunity to score her second goal of the game at the 68th minute, but didn’t quite have the angle shooting from near the right post. FC Kansas City, the NWSL leader in second half goals with thirteen, couldn’t muster any more scoring after Tymrak’s blast.
The 1-1 tie brings FC Kansas City’s record to 7-4-3 and earns the team one point. With 24 total points, the Blues remain alone in third on the National Women’s Soccer League table, two points behind second place Portland and three points behind first place Sky Blue FC. The team returns home to Verizon Wireless Field on Sunday, July 7th at 3:10p.m. to face Abby Wambach and the Western New York Flash.
NWSL Match Report
Match: FC Kansas City vs. Washington Spirit
Date: July 3, 2024
Venue: Maryland SoccerPlex, Boyds, Maryland
Kickoff: 7:30p.m. ET
Attendance: 2,467
Weather: 82 degrees, partly cloudy
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