FC Kansas City Earns Point in Draw at Home

KANSAS CITY (May 7, 2024) – FC Kansas City secured another point in the standings this evening as they tied the Orlando Pride 1-1 in front of 2,514 fans at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City. Erika Tymrak scored the equalizer in the 84th minute for Kansas City as they remain unbeaten at home on the season.

FC Kansas City vs Orlando Pride Stats Download
 
On a warm Sunday afternoon at home, FC Kansas City hoped to turn back from their recent losing streak against the winless Orlando Pride. With the return of Shea Groom from injury, the team hoped to regain their scoring prowess that saw them score two goals in a season opening win against Boston.
 
Early on, head coach Vlatko Andonovski wanted his team to attack and put pressure on the Pride’s defense. Orlando weathered the opening minutes and even looked like they may be able to produce counter strikes against the FCKC defense.
 
Unfortunately for Orlando, in the 4th minute they lost midfielder Monica to an apparent knee injury. She collided with several players in the middle of the field and had to be helped off the field. Danielle Weatherholt was inserted into the lineup in her place.
 
The first half saw FC Kansas City with several opportunities to take the lead. Lo’eau LaBonta had two shots go wide right and one that a sprawling Ashlyn Harris was just able to keep out of the net. Brittany Ratcliffe, getting her second straight start, and Groom also missed just wide in the half.
 
In the second half, Orlando forward Marta began to take control of her team’s offense. She was all over the field, looking for any opportunity to get in past the Kansas City back line.
 
Becky Sauerbrunn and the rest of the defense were able to hold the Brazilian forward to shots from outside of the box for most of the game. In the 73rd minute however, Pride defender Ali Krieger crossed the ball into Jasmyne Spencer. Spencer took two steps before laying it off to Marta who slotted her shot past a diving Nicole Barnhart.
 
Andonovski adjusted his lineup to make sure he had fresh legs to put pressure on Orlando’s defense in the final minutes of the game. Erika Tymrak, who came on the field late for Katie Bowen, was one of several players who flooded the Orlando goal box in the 84th minute after a Yael Averbuch free kick. As the ball bounced around, Maegan Kelly was able to steer the ball towards Tymrak who put it in the open net.
 
With a final score of 1-1, FC Kansas City (1-2-1) now sits at four points on the NWSL table. Orlando (0-2-2), now has two points.
 
Kansas City remains home next weekend when they face the Portland Thorns at 3:00 p.m. CT at Swope Soccer Village. Tickets are available to purchase here.
 
NWSL Match Report
Match: FC Kansas City vs Orlando Pride
Date: May 7, 2024
Venue: Swope Soccer Village
Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. ET
Attendance: 2,514
Weather: Low 80s, Sunny

Misconduct Summary
FCKC – 46’ Sydney Leroux – Reckless Tackle
ORL – 18’ Maddy Evans – Reckless Tackle

Scoring Summary

Goals                                    1          2          F

FC Kansas City (1-2-1)         0          1          1

Orlando Pride (0-2-2)          0          1          1

ORL – 73’ Marta (Spencer)
FCKC – 84’ Tymrak (Kelly)

Lineups:
FC Kansas City: Barnhart, Gibbons, Averbuch, Sauerbrunn ©, Taylor, Scott, LaBonta, Ratcliffe (Newfield 71’), Groom (Kelly 83’), Bowen (Tymrak 64’), Leroux

Substitutes Not Used: Parkhill, Reed, Moros, Flynn

Orlando Pride: Harris, Pressley, Kennedy, Catley, Krieger, Monica (Weatherholt 4’), Camila, M. Evans (Fields 82’), Edmonds, D Evans (Spencer 64’), Marta

Substitutes Not Used: Bledsoe, Ubogagu, Alleway, Driesse