RECAP: Groom leads FC Kansas City to victory on the road

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (July 23, 2024) – Liberty native Shea Groom continued her hot streak to lead FC Kansas City to victory with her fourth goal in three games. It was the lone goal in the Blues’ 1-0 victory against the Western New York Flash at Rhinos Stadium in Rochester, N.Y. The season series ends in a 1-1 draw with the Flash winning the season opener 1-0 on April 16 at Children’s Mercy Park.

The Blues improved to 4-6-4 with 16 points and the Flash dropped to 8-5-1. FC Kansas City took a 4-3-3 lead in the all-time series.

Groom entered the game ranked third in the NWSL with five goals this season through 13 games. She scored four in the same time last year as a rookie.

Her sixth came in the 60th minute off an assist from Tiffany McCarty, who sent a long pass down the middle of the field. Groom worked around one defender to go one-on-one with former teammate Katelyn Rowland. She then fired a shot to the opposite post to give the Blues the lead. It was the third assist for McCarty, which have all come on Groom goals.

Nicole Barnhart and the Blues faced a Western New York franchise record number of shots (24) and shots on goal (14), but held them scoreless for the sixth shutout of the season. Molly Menchel, who signed with FC Kansas City on July 1, made her first start on the backline. She joined Brianne Reed and former Flash defenders Yael Averbuch and Brittany Taylor.

The Blues will play one more game on the road against the Chicago Red Stars before taking a break for the Rio Olympic Games in August. Becky Sauerbrunn and Heather O’Reilly will play with the U.S. Women’s National Team, Desiree Scott will play for Canada and Katie Bowen will represent New Zealand.

For FC Kansas City tickets or more information, please call 855-4KC-GOAL or visit fckansascity.com.

NWSL Match Report

Matchup: Western New York Flash vs. FC Kansas City

Date: July 23, 2024

Venue: Rhinos Stadium

Attendance:

Weather: 88 degrees

Scoring Summary

                1              2              F

WNY       0              0              0

KC           0              1              1

1              KC           Groom (McCarty)                 60th

Lineups:

WNY: Rowland; Niemiec, Dahlkemper, Cayman (Hamilton 72’), Eddy, Hahn (Smith 64’), Zerboni, Doniak (Leon 74’), Sanderson, Williams, McDonald.

Subs not used: Eckerstrom; Speck.

Coach: Paul Riley

KC: Barnhart; Menchel, Averbuch, Taylor, Reed, Laddish, LaBonta, Silva, Tymrak (Weimer 87’), McCarty (Kastor 79’), Groom.

Subs not used: Parkhill; Newfield.

Coach: Vlatko Andonovski

Stats Summary (WNY/KC)

Goals: 0/0

Saves: 2/14

Offsides: 3/5

Shots: 24/8

Fouls: 14/14

Corners: 8/1

Conduct Summary

21           WNY       Cayman                  Reckless Foul

45           WNY       Hahn                       Reckless Foul

55           KC           Menchel                Reckless Foul

REFEREE: Margaret Domka

ASSISTANT REFEREE 1: Ben Pilgrim

ASSISTANT REFEREE 2: Victor Vazquez

4TH OFFICIAL: Raymond Tam

REFEREE ASSESSOR: David McKee

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