FC Kansas City Unable to Find a Win in New Jersey

Piscataway, NJ (April 30, 2024) – FC Kansas City was unable to find their first win away from home this afternoon as they dropped a 1-0 decision to Sky Blue FC in New Jersey. Last season’s NWSL Rookie of the Year Raquel Rodriguez scored the only goal of the game for the home side as Kansas City falls to 1-2-0 on the season.

SKY BLUE FC vs FC KANSAS CITY FULL STATS
 
On a very breezy day in New Jersey, FC Kansas City opened the game going against the wind. Relying on their stout defense, the team hoped to capitalize on any mistakes they could force from their opponents.
 
Very early in the game, they nearly were able to accomplish their goal when Sydney Leroux received a ball at the top of the box, very similar to her score in the season’s opening match. Unfortunately, this time she was not able to put much on the shot and Sky Blue’s Kailen Sheridan was able to jump on it for the save.
 
Kansas City used their wait and attack approach to provide the better opportunities of the first half. Brittany Ratcliffe, in her first start with FCKC, was able to sneak behind the Sky Blue back line for a 1 v 1 chance with the goalkeeper. Sheridan was able to get in front of Ratcliffe’s shot to keep the score even.
 
As the teams switched sides at the halftime break, FC Kansas City tried to use the wind to their advantage. Midfielders Ratcliffe and Maegan Kelly continuously pressured Sky Blue’s right side and helped KC to outshoot their opponents 6-4 in the second half.
 
In the 83rd minute, goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart seemingly saved a ball from going out of bounds, but the Assistant Referee declared the ball out of bounds and awarded Sky Blue their only corner kick of the second half. As the ball was crossed into the box it bounced out to where Mandy Freeman was waiting. Freeman put the ball back into the mess of players inside the goal box where Rodriguez was able to direct it into the net.
 
FC Kansas City thought they scored the equalizing goal moments later. Rookie Christina Gibbons calmly crossed the ball towards the Sky Blue goal where Ratcliffe was just able to get under it and head it into the goal. Although many on the Kansas City side thought she was even with the defense at the time the ball was kicked, Ratcliffe was called offside and the goal was not allowed.
 
Kansas City (1-2-0) returns to Swope Socer Village next week to take on the Orlando Pride (0-2-1) at 5:00 p.m. CT. Tickets are available for purchases here.
 
NWSL Match Report
Match: Sky Blue FC vs FC Kansas City
Date: April 30, 2024
Venue: Yurcak Field
Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. ET
Attendance: 2,562
Weather: Mid-50s, windy

Misconduct Summary
SBFC – 73’ Raquel Rodríguez – Foul
SBFC – 90’+ Madison Tiernan - Foul
 

Scoring Summary

Goals                                  1           2           F

Sky Blue (0-1-1)                  0           1           1

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

SBFC – 83’ Rodriguez (Freeman)

Lineups:
Sky Blue FC: Sheridan, Simon, Skroski, Freeman, Mills, Killion, Hayes (Tiernan 70’), Rodriguez, Lytle (Galton 66’), Corboz, O’Hara©

Substitutes Not Used: Meehan, Stanton, Casey, DeCesare, Richardson
 
FC Kansas City: Barnhart, Gibbons, Averbuch, Sauerbrunn ©, Taylor, Scott, LaBonta, Ratcliffe (Tymrak 89’), Kelly (Newfield 81’), Bowen (Flynn 64’), Leroux

Substitutes Not Used: Parkhill, Reed, Moros