FC Kansas City Defeats Nebraska in Second Preseason Game

Lincoln, NE (Apr. 1, 2024) – FC Kansas City traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska for a Saturday afternoon tilt against the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers at Barbara Hibner Field. The Cornhuskers' Faith Carter scored the first goal against the Blues this preseason, but Shea Groom scored a brace to lead Kansas City to a 2-0 start in the 2024 preseason.
 
“It was great preparation for us,” said head coach Vlatko Andonovski. “Nebraska was organized and quick…we were forced to figure out a way and we were forced to play quick, to be clinical, to be technical on every touch and when we were not we got punished, that’s how we got scored on.”
 
With Becky Sauerbrunn tending to her U.S. Women’s National Team duties, Andonovski used this match as a chance to look at some different players in the center back role. Former Cornhusker Sydney Miramontez started on the backline along with Brianne Reed.
 
Miramontez played the full 90 minutes and Reed played into the second half before giving way to Rashida Beal in the 76th minute.
 
Andonovski said of his center back pairing, “Obviously they are two young center backs and there are different decisions they could have made, but some of that comes with experience and comes with games. It’s not fair to compare them to Becky Sauerbrunn and Yael Averbuch, but we have to be prepared to play with or without them.”
 
Up front, FC Kansas City enjoyed the pairing of Sydney Leroux and Shea Groom as both players went the full 90 minutes and created multiple chances. Those two players led the way as the Blues outshot Nebraska 15-6 on the day.
 
The midfield play of Alexa Newfield, Lo’eau LaBonta and Katie Bowen helped Kansas City to control the play throughout much of the match. In the 37th minute, a quick thinking Newfield quickly chipped a ball from fifteen yards outside of the penalty box over the Nebraska back line where Groom was able to run onto it and dribble past the goalkeeper to tie the game at 1-1.
 
Late in the game, the Cornhuskers tried to preserve the draw as they withdrew into their defensive third of the field. FC Kansas City pressured the defense with several opportunities inside the penalty box. In the 85th minute, Leroux took a shot on goal that was blocked on the way by a Cornhusker player’s hand. Groom easily placed the resulting penalty kick into the corner of the goal for the eventual game-winning score.

FC Kansas City next faces the University of Kansas Jayhawks on April 10th at Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence, Kansas. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT.

Kansas City opens their fifth season in the NWSL against the Boston Breakers on April 16th at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, MO. Kickoff for that match is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. CT. Tickets are available for the Home Opener and can be purchased here.
 
Scoring Summary:
NU – Carter 28’
FCKC – Groom (Newfield) 37’
FCKC – Groom (PK) 85’
 
Lineups:
FC Kansas City First Half: Barnhart; Gibbons, Reed, Miramontez, Taylor; Newfield, LaBonta, Bowen; Leroux, Kelly, Groom
FC Kansas City Second Half: Barnhart; Gibbons, Reed (Patterson 76’), Miramontez, Taylor (Beal 62’); Newfield (Stiever 62’), Tymrak, Bowen; Leroux, Flynn, Groom