FC Kansas City Falls in First Road Trip

CHICAGO (April 22, 2024) – FC Kansas City fell to the Chicago Red Stars 1-0 in their first road trip of the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season. Julie Ertz scored for the home side in front of the 2,153 fans that made it out to the team’s home opener.

Last week, FC Kansas City played a strong defensive game that allowed them the most fast-break opportunities in the NWSL. The Red Stars seemed prepared for that however, as they were much more reserved in their attack. FC Kansas City controlled the possession, but Chicago’s defense corralled the Blues in their own end of the field much of the day.
 
Chicago took advantage of any opportunity they had with the ball and peppered the Kansas City defense with shots. In the first half, they outshot FCKC 11-3.
 
In the 41st minute, Sofia Huerta beat Christina Gibbons to the outside and crossed a pass from nearly the touchline into a waiting Ertz. Running onto the ball, Ertz placed her shot to the back of the net for what would eventually be the game-winning goal.
 
Chicago nearly had a chance to double their lead in the second half when they were awarded a Penalty Kick early in the period. Forward Christen Press pushed her shot wide of the goal and kept the Blues within a score.
 
FC Kansas City fought back in the second half as they adjusted their play to a more attacking style. Shea Groom was very active, collecting the ball from her defense and distributing to Leroux and the outside midfielders.
 
Kansas City outshot the Red Stars 8-6 in the second half, but none of them were able to find their way into the goal. The result is Kansas City’s first loss and Chicago’s first win of the season.
 
FC Kansas City will remain on the road for another week as they head to New Jersey on April 30th for a 5:00 p.m. CT scheduled kickoff against Sky Blue FC. The game will be streamed live on go90.com and the go90 app available on iOS and Android platforms.

NWSL Match Report
Match: Chicago Red Stars vs FC Kansas City
Date: April 22, 2024
Venue: Toyota Park
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. CT
Attendance: 2,153
Weather: Partly Cloudy

Scoring Summary

Goals                                 1              2              F

FC Kansas City (1-1-0)      0              0              0

Chicago (1-1-0)                 1              0              1

CHI – Julie Ertz (Sophia Huerta) 41’

FC Kansas City Lineup: 18-Nicole Barnhart; 31-Christina Gibbons, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn (capt.), 10-Yael Averbuch, 13-Brittany Taylor; 3-Rebecca Moros (21-Caroline Flynn, 58'), 88-Alexa Newfield (15-Erika Tymrak, 58'), 6-Katie Bowen, 9-Lo’eau LaBonta; 14-Sydney Leroux (44-Maegan Kelly, 73'), 2-Shea Groom
Substitutes not used: 19-Catherine Parkhill, 22-Brianne Reed, 25-Brittany Ratcliffe

Chicago Red Stars Lineup: 1-Alyssa Naeher; 16-Samantha Johnson, 5-Katie Naughton, 3-Arin Gilliland, 6-Casey Short; 24-Danielle Colaprico, 10-Vanessa DiBernardo, 11-Sofia Huerta (4-Alyssa Mautz, 87'), 8-Julie Ertz (13-Morgan Proffitt, 87'), 2-Jen Hoy (9-Stephanie McCaffrey, 72'), 23-Christen Press (capt.)
Substitutes not used: 7-Taylor Comeau, 14-Sarah Gorden, 18-Michele Dalton, 19-Summer Green, 30-Lauren Kaskie, 34-Mary Luba