RECAP: FC KANSAS CITY ADVANCES TO THE 2024 NWSL FINAL AFTER DEFEATING CHICAGO AT TOYOTA PARK

Amy Rodriguez (2) and Erika Tymrak both scored in the first half

BRIDGEVIEW, IL (September 13, 2024) – The reigning National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) punched their ticket to defend their title on October 1^st after defeating the Chicago Red Stars with three first-half goals at Toyota Park on Sunday afternoon. FC Kansas City will play against the winner of Seattle and Washington.

FC Kansas City’s leading goal scorer Amy Rodriguez has now reached eight tallies after scoring a brace, while 2024 Rookie of the Year Erika Tymrak notched her fourth goal of the season to eliminate Chicago in the first semifinal of the day.

The hosting Red Stars came out strong to the field and created multiple scoring opportunities before goalkeeper Michele Dalton was unable to clear an easy ball after being pressured by Lauren Holiday who touched the ball for Rodriguez to put the Blues on the board in the 16^th minute.

Moments later, Kansas City increased the lead when Heather O’Reilly sent a perfectly placed ball to Tymrak, who dribbled past a defender on the left side of the box and blasted a shot to the roof of the net making it 2-0 in the 21^st minute.

Four minutes later, Coach Vlatko Andonovski’s team would add one more goal to the game when Rodriguez was left alone against Dalton. She got past her and then dribbled through three defenders and found the back of the net in the 25^th minute with a right-footed strike.

Coach Rory Dames made two substitutions for the second half with Samantha Johnson and Sofia Huerta entering the match for Abby Erceg and Alyssa Mautz. However, the Red Stars where unable to beat goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart, who recorded her ninth clean sheet of the year.

Chicago Red Stars vs. FC Kansas City, September 13, 2024 – Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL. NWSL Semifinal #2.

Scoring Summary:

FCKC: Amy Rodriguez (unassisted), 16

FCKC: Erika Tymrak (Heather O’Reilly), 21

FCKC: Amy Rodriguez (Heather O’Reilly), 35

Starting Lineups:

FCKC: Barnhart, Robinson, LePeilbet, Sauerbrunn, Moros, Buczkowski, Laddish (Averbuch), Tymrak (Silva), O’Reilly, Holiday, Rodriguez (Groom).

CRS: Dalton, Gilliland, Johnston, Erceg (Johnson), Hemmings, Colaprico, Chalupny, Mautz (Huerta), DiBernardo, Hoy (Tancredi), Press.

Disciplinary Summary:

CRS: Samantha Johnson (Caution), 68