RECAP: Shea Groom leads FC Kansas City to victory with brace

CHICAGO (September 7, 2024) – FC Kansas City entered Wednesday night’s game needing a victory of their own and a little good fortune from across the league.

The Blues delivered on their end with a 3-2 victory against the Chicago Red Stars at Toyota Park, which included a brace from Liberty’s Shea Groom, but were ultimately eliminated from National Women’s Soccer League playoff contention when Western New York beat the Boston Breakers.

The two-time defending NWSL Champions will remain as such for two more regular season games.

Groom gave the Blues an early lead with a goal in the seventh minute that hit the upper right corner of the net. Chicago equalized in the 13th and the tie carried into the second half of play.

Frances Silva of Overland Park, tapped in a cross from Tiffany McCarty in the 62nd minute to regain the lead and Groom headed home her second goal in the 76th off an assist from Caroline Kastor.

It was the highest scoring game of the season for the Blues and only the fourth time they gave up multiple goals in a game.

The three goals came on just eight shots and Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher had one additional save. FC Kansas City’s Nicole Barnhart had zero.

The Blues return home this Sunday to host Chicago at 5 p.m. in their final match at Swope Soccer Village this season. FC Kansas City’s final game will be played on the road against the Orlando Pride.

For tickets or more information call 855-4KC-GOAL or visit fckansascity.com.

NWSL Match Report

Match: Chicago Red Stars vs. FC Kansas City

Date: September 7, 2024

Venue: Toyota Park

Scoring Summary

                1              2              F

CHI         1              1              2

KC           1              2              3

1              KC           Groom  (O’Reilly)             7th minute

2              CHI         Press (Comeau)                13th minute

3              KC           Silva (McCarty)                  62nd minute

4              KC           Groom (Kastor)                 76th minute

 5              CHI         Huerta (Gilliland)             87th minute

Lineups

CHI: Naeher; Gilliland, Johnston, Johnson (Naughton 56’), Short (80’), Colaprico, DiBernardo, Huerta, Comeau (Da Costa 46’), Press, McCaffrey.

Subs not used: Mautz, Walls, Raetzman, Dalton.

Coach: Rory Dames

KC: Barnhart; Bowen, Sauerbrunn, Averbuch, Taylor, Laddish, Scott, Silva (Kastor 65’), O’Reilly (Arlitt 90’), McCarty (LaBonta 74’), Groom.

Subs not used: LaBonta, Arlitt, Parkhill, Reed.

Coach: Vlatko Andonovski

Stats (CHI/KC)

Goals 2/3

Saves 1/0

Offsides 2/2

Shots 12/8

Fouls 6/6

Corners 7/2

REFEREE: Farhad Dadkho

ASSISTANT REFEREE 1: Artyom Arustamyan

ASSISTANT REFEREE 2: TJ Zablocki

4TH OFFICIAL: Becky Pagan

REFEREE ASSESSOR: Dennis Engers