FC KANSAS CITY FALLS IN PORTLAND

Team Allows Two Goals in Final Minutes

In 2024, when FC Kansas City faced the Portland Thorns, exciting action was bound to follow. The rivalry that was born in the National Women’s Soccer League’s inaugural game was continued tonight in front of over 14,000 fans at Portland’s Providence Park. Portland’s Jessica McDonald had two scores in the final six minutes to give her side the 3-1 victory.

Final Box Score

Kansas City head coach Vlatko Andonovski returned to his traditional 4-2-3-1 formation tonight, giving rookie Jenna Richmond her first start as a defensive midfielder. A move that allowed the 2024 MVP Lauren Holiday and Rookie of the Year Erika Tymrak to regain their creative touch and work the ball up and down the field.

FC Kansas City outshot the Thorns in the first half, but the only score came in the way of a Penalty Kick for Portland. As Allie Long drove to the byline, Becky Sauerbrunn came up to challenge her. A quick cut inside for Long and she was felled inside the box by Sauerbrunn’s outstretched leg. She them converted the resulting penalty kick to give her side a 1-0 lead at the half.

As the second half started, FC Kansas City remained calm while Portland tried to capitalize on their late half score. Their patience was rewarded as they were able to weather the storm and gain the advantage in possession.

In the 56^th minute, Erika Tymrak drove down the left side towards goal and was fouled just inside of the Portland penalty box. Holiday calmly stepped to the penalty spot and easily buried the resulting Penalty Kick.

The Thorns goalkeeper, Nadine Angerer, was able to make some incredible saves to keep her side level in the second half as Amy Rodriguez, Tymrak and Richmond were able to put some great shots on net.

In the 84^th minute, Portland captain Christine Sinclair from the middle of the box, tipped a pass to Long who found McDonald wide right. She wasted no time in putting her shot to the far post and giving her side a 2-1 lead.

As FC Kansas City pressed higher to gain the equalizer in the final minutes,the Portland defense sent a long clearance to McDonald, this time on the left side. As goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart rushed to close down the angle, the Thorns forward chipped a shot just over her reach and under the cross bar. The score gave Portland a 3-1 lead that would hold throughout the final minutes of the match.

FC Kansas City returns home to Verizon Wireless Field at Durwood Stadium on Wednesday, April 30 at 7:00p.m. CT to face the Chicago Red Stars. Tickets are still available by calling 855.452.4625 or emailing tickets@kcprosoccer.com

NWSL Match Report

Match: Portland Thorns FC vs. FC Kansas City
Date: April 26, 2024
Venue: Providence Park, Portland, OR
Kickoff: 7:00p.m. PT, 9:00p.m. CT, 10:00p.m. ET
Attendance: 14,124
Weather: Mid 50s, Rainy

Lineups:
FCKC: Barnhart; Robinson, Sauerbrunn (C), Phillips (Marlborough 89’), Kallman; Buczkowski, Richmond, Mathias (Silva 78’), Holiday, Tymrak; Rodriguez
Subs not used: Keane, Henderson, Kelly, Bogus, Williams

PTFC: Angerer; Niemiec, Marshall, Menges, Moros (Huffman 80’); Farrelly, Brooks (Tarr 83’), Kerr (Shim 71’), Long; Sinclair(C), McDonald
Subs not used: Betos, Sullivan, Acevedo