FC Kansas City Open Preseason with Shutout Win

Photo courtesy of Amy Kontras

Columbia, MO (Mar. 19, 2024) – FC Kansas City opened their preseason schedule against the University of Missouri Sunday afternoon. Six different players scored, with Brittany Taylor scoring twice, as the Blues earned a 7-0 victory over the Tigers.
                     
Picking up from her career-best season last year, Shea Groom was the first one to put FC Kansas City on the board. In the 16th minute, midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta received a throw-in just past midfield and found Groom at the top of the penalty box where she could fire the ball past the Tigers’ goalkeeper on the left side.
 
In her first action since joining the Blues, Sydney Leroux made her presence felt throughout the first half. Getting on the end of a Groom cross in the 21st minute, Leroux tapped in her first score with the team. Leroux was active all over the field the rest of the day and earned an assist later in the game.
 
Brittany Taylor scored two goals following that, one from a corner kick and another from a curling shot with her left foot near the top-right side of the box after receiving a pass from Leroux. Katie Bowen, playing on the top line with Leroux and Groom, finished off the first half scoring with a perfectly placed shot to the upper right corner of the goal.
 
Forward Amy Rodriguez got her first taste of game action, along with nine other FC Kansas City players, in the second half. She found instant chemistry with forward Jenna Hellstrom.
 
The pair teamed up for the only two scores of the second half. First Hellstrom dribbled into the penalty box from the right side and passed the ball across to Rodriguez who was able to knock the ball to the far side of the goal. Her shot bounced off the inside of the goal post and into the net.
 
In the final minute of play, Hellstrom was in the right place at the right time. Rodriguez rocketed a shot towards goal. Although Missouri’s goalkeeper blocked the shot, Hellstrom jumped on the rebound and blasted it home from six yards out.
 
Kansas City will take on the University of Nebraska on April 1st in their next preseason match. Kickoff at Barbara Hibner Soccer Stadium in Lincoln, NE is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CT.
 
The Blues open the regular season on April 16th at the Swope Soccer Village at 5:00 p.m. CT. Tickets can be found at FCKansasCity.com.
 
Scoring Summary:
FCKC - Groom (LaBonta) 16'
FCKC - Leroux (Groom) 21'
FCKC - Taylor (Newfield) 28'
FCKC - Taylor (Leroux) 42'
FCKC - Bowen (Taylor) 44' 
FCKC - Rodriguez (Hellstrom) 78'
FCKC - Hellstrom (Rodriguez) 89'

Lineups:
FC Kansas City First half: Barnhart; Taylor, Beal, Sauerbrunn, Gibbons; Scott, LaBonta, Newfield; Leroux, Groom, Bowen

FC Kansas City Second half: Parkhill; Beal, Patterson, Miramontez, Reed; Toohey, Stiever, Shaffer, Hellstrom; Tymrak, Rodriguez