FCKC Drop Five on Sky Blue

From FC Kansas City

FC Kansas City (10-4-3 33 pts) won a big road game tonight against Sky Blue FC (3-7-7 16 pts). The Blues shut out the New Jersey club 5-0 on Yurcak Field in front of 1,349 fans. Second place Kansas City had four goal scorers throughout the night: Erika Tymrak, Sarah Hagen, Lauren Holiday and Amy Rodriguez. Hagen started her first match with FC Kansas City and tallied a brace.

The match started out with a bang when Tymrak put the Blues on the board in the second minute. Leigh Ann Robinson received the ball out wide, after beating her defender she sent it in to the box. After some bouncing around, Tymrak got a foot on the ball and knocked it in.

FC Kansas City controlled the ball all over the field and just minutes later scored again. Holiday stepped up to take a corner and it bounced off of goalkeeper Brittany Cameron for another Kansas City corner. The second kick curved perfectly to sail over the goal line and hit the side net. Holiday’s seventh goal of the season put the Blues up 2-0 in the opening ten minutes.

The third goal of the first half came from Hagen in the 20^th minute. Tymrak sent a long ball up to the newest FC Kansas City member. Hagen brought the ball down to her feet and sent it past Cameron who was playing up off of the goal line. The goal was Hagen’s first in her National Women’s Soccer League career.

Hagen scored again in the 42^nd minute of the match on a counter attack. Holiday took a shot that just bounced off the post. Cameron dove for Holiday’s shot leaving the net open for Hagen to head the rebound in. FC Kansas City went to the locker rooms up 4-0.

The Blues’ best half of the season could be contributed to a formation change for this match. Hagen started up at the front with Rodriguez, distributing attacking pressure between the two. There was also a large cheering section for the Blues at the game tonight. Defender Nikki Phillips, goalkeepers Nicole Barnhart and Sara Keane had a total of around 100 family members in attendance.

Sky Blue FC came out from the short break ready to defend and fight back. The New Jersey club found 10 shots with 4 on target in the second half. The first 45 minutes were clearly controlled by FC Kansas City, but the last 45 saw an aggressive Sky Blue FC.

The Blues were still hungry for more goals throughout the second half. Close shots came from all over the Kansas City roster including the goal scorers. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski brought in three substitutes to build up the defense. June’s Player of the Month, Barnhart, did her new title proud with beautiful saves, especially in the second half.

The 4-0 score stuck late in to the second half and looked to remain there until the final minute of the match. Liz Bogus received a pass on the outside and found Rodriguez in the middle at the top of the box. Bogus sent it over and Rodriguez took a shot. The ball went past Cameron’s hands and to the back of the net. FC Kansas City made it 5-0 as the match closed out.

FCKC Draw with Expansion Dash

FC Kansas City draws 2-2 with Houston Dash at Verizon Wireless Field in front of 1,483 fans.  The Blues credit two beautiful goals to Lauren Holiday and Erika Tymrak. Jordan Jackson and Tiffany McCarty scored Houston's goals for the night. Each team takes a point away from tonight's match bringing Kansas City to 11 points and Houston to 4.

The match started with a bang when Tymrak played a through ball to Holiday who easily found the back of the net in the second minute. Houston answered the early goal when Jackson netted one with an assist from Nina Burger. Erika Tymrak played a ball through her defender's legs to hit the upper 90 and score Kansas City's second goal. Houston would try to retaliate, but the first half would end.

Both teams played with even more intensity in the second half. Goalkeepers Nicole Barnhart and Erin McLeod were put to the test with shots fired from all angles. In the 78th minute, Tiffany McCarty netted the equalizer on a play from Ella Masar. Two Dash players received yellow cards in the match. Burger received her's the 65th minute for fouling Tymrak. Osinachi Ohale was shown the other in the 90th minute.  Kansas City's Nikki Phillips received a yellow card in the 79th for a rough foul.

FCKC Fall Short in Seattle

From FC Kansas City

FC Kansas City traveled to Seattle to take on the undefeated Reign. The thrilling match continues Seattle’s streak but not without a challenge. Kansas City’s two goals doubled the Reign’s goals allowed this season. Seattle netted two quick goals but could not hold the Blues off for long. At the final whistle, Kansas City would be down 3-2.

The first half started with a bang for the Reign. Kendall Fletcher scored the first while Kim Little scored on a penalty kick minutes later. Even down two goals, the Blues remained calm and kept the traditional possessive game plan. Liz Bogus and Amy Rodriguez made beautiful runs against their former club, but nothing to put on the scoreboard.

FC Kansas City found a chance at scoring when Beverly Goebel fouled Rodriguez in the box. Lauren Holiday took the resulting penalty kick and sent it past Seattle’s Hope Solo in the 44^th minute. The whistle sent the teams to the locker room with the Reign up 2-1.

After the break, Erika Tymrak came on for Kansas City in the 57^th minute for Liz Bogus. Tymrak made her presence known with an equalizing goal from outside the box that sailed right over Solo’s hands. The two goals marked a turning point in the game, both clubs eager for the leading goal. The backlines of both teams were put to the test with play after play. Goalkeepers Solo and Nicole Barnhart showed why they are two of the best in the world with major saves.

Seattle found the game-winning goal in the 76^th minute off a header from team captain Keelin Winters that Barnhart just missed. Kansas City fought hard to try and find one more goal but the match would end.

FC Kansas City returns home on Sunday, May 18, to take on the newest club in the league, the Houston Dash.  This will be the second meeting between the two teams. The Blues go into the match with a game advantage on the series.  Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00p.m. CT. Tickets can be purchased by calling 855.4KC.GOAL.

FCKC Win Big on the Road

From FC Kansas City

FC Kansas City picked up their second victory of the season tonight at BBVA Compass Stadium. In their first matchup against the National Women’s Soccer League’s  (NWSL) newest team, four different players scored on the way to the 4-0 victory.

On a beautiful night for soccer, Kansas City had an attacking mindset from the opening kickoff. Within the first two minutes, they had already earned their first corner kick, which Lauren Holiday nearly curled into the goal. By the eleventh minute, Amy Rodriguez had already broken through the Houston backline twice. Only some excellent saves from Dash goalkeeper, Erin McLeod, kept the visitors off the board.

Fortunately for Kansas City, she couldn’t stop them all though. In the 12^th minute, Lauren Holiday slotted a pass between two Houston defenders where Liz Bogus was able to run onto it and tuck away a shot under the sliding goalkeeper for the first score of the night and a 1-0 lead that would last through the opening half.

FC Kansas City didn’t let up the pressure to begin the second half. After only two minutes of the period, Rodriguez was able to run onto a pass from rookie Jenna Richmond and outmuscle two Dash defenders for her fourth goal in five matches.

Kansas City didn’t relax after that. In the 58^th minute, Rodriguez again broke free for another one-on-one run to goal. Houston defender Osinachi Ohale caught up to Rodriguez and tackled her from behind, just outside of the penalty box. The move earned Ohale a red card and forced the Dash to play short-handed for the remainder of the match.

Erika Tymrak and Frances Silva entered the match shortly after the Ohale incident. The two helped Kansas City to control the midfield as they passed the ball all over the field throughout the rest of the match. In the 80^th minute, Tymrak received a pass from Richmond to bring her up to the top of the penalty box. As she looked for the inside pass, she saw a small window between Dash defenders and took a quick shot that beat McLeod near-post.

Silva, made the most of her playing time as well. In the 89^th minute she carried the ball through the midfield, then sent a long pass into the penalty box to Holiday. The 2013 NWSL MVP immediately returned the pass to Silva who placed her shot in the top corner of the far post where McLeod had no shot of touching it. The rookie’s first professional goal was the cap on FC Kansas City’s 4-0 victory.

FC Kansas City continues its road trip with a mid-week matchup against Western New York Flash on Wednesday, May 7 at 6:00p.m. CT. The game will be shown live on FCKansasCity.com

Catching Up on FC Kansas City

Apologies for the lack of posts regarding FC Kansas City not just in the last week, but the season as a whole. Life has been catching up with me a bit and I had to cut down a little bit in some of my coverage, unfortunately it was the Blues that had to get chopped a bit.

Year End Awards

While FC Kansas City's season ended last weekend against Portland in the NWSL semifinals, FCKC did clean up when it came to the end of season awards.  FCKC swept all the individual awards and put seven players on the first and second team Best XI.

In goalkeeper of the year, Nicole Barnhart won the award, finishing the season with 10 shutouts, the most in the league and finished 3rd in goals against average with .95.

Erika Tymrak won the league's rookie of the year award. After starting the season as a substitute off the bench, Tymrak established herself as key to the Blues attack as the season went on. She finished the season with six goals and four assists.

Another award FC Kansas City won was defender of the year, which was award to Becky Sauerbrunn. Sauerbrunn helped to anchor the defense in front of goalkeeper for the year, Barnhart.

Coach of the year in the NWSL went to the Blues coach, Vlatko Andonovski. In his first season coaching at this level, Andonovski led FC Kansas City to an 11-6-5 record, tied for the most points in the league, and second in the table.

In the award that probably surprised people the least, Lauren Holiday was named the NWSL MVP. Holiday also won the league's Golden Boot, scoring 12 goals while also adding 8 assists. Basically Holiday contributed in 59% of the Blues goals this year, and also missed four games with US call ups and getting married.

Barnhart, Sauerbrunn, and Holiday were all named to the Best XI first team, along with defender Leigh Ann Robinson. On the second team Tymrak was joined by Lauren Sesselmann, and Desiree Scott.

National Team Call Ups

Also recently announced was the call ups for the US women's team game against Mexico on September 3rd. FC Kansas City led the way in players on the roster with six.  KC's three allocated players, Barnhart, Holiday, and Sauerbrunn were all named to the roster, along with Kristie Mewis, who has become a regular on the national team.

Two new Blues players will get the chance to earn their first caps against Mexico.  Robinson and Tymrak were called up for the first time.  Both had stellar seasons for Kansas City, Robinson established herself as one of the better outside backs in the league, while Tymrak won rookie of the year.

Offseason Loans

Speaking of Tymrak, rumors started to make the rounds yesterday on Twitter of Tymrak going out on loan to German club Bayern Munich during the NWSL offseason. Thad was able to confirm this rumor.  He also mentioned that Blues' back up goalkeeper, Bianca Henninger will be joining Tymrak at the German club. There's also mention of more loans coming up.

FC Kansas City Fall in the Playoffs

The Inaugural Season for FC Kansas City comes to a close in front of over 4,000 fans at Verizon Wireless Field, despite an early score from Rookie of the Year, Erika Tymrak, and the first goal of the season from Melissa Henderson.  Portland Thorns FC were able to knock in two goals of their own in regulation before Allie Long scored in the first overtime period, giving the visitors a 3-2 win and a spot in the National Women’s Soccer League Championship game next weekend.

This week saw FC Kansas City take home four post-season awards, Golden Boot (Lauren Holiday), Rookie of the Year (Erika Tymrak), Goalkeeper of the Year (Nicole Barnhart), and Defender of the Year (Becky Sauerbrunn).  The individual awards were nice, but this team has never been about individual achievements. In the blazing heat of the day, they hoped to take the next step towards their ultimate goal, the NWSL Championship. 

A strong start from both teams created an exciting match from the very beginning.  Erika Tymrak tallied the first score when she jumped on a pass from her newly-named U.S. Women’s National Teammate, Leigh Ann Robinson.  Ripping a shot from the right side, the ball found side netting in the 12^th minute.  Only thirteen minutes later, Melissa Henderson scored her first goal of the season when she used her head to redirect Merritt Mathias’ pass across the goal mouth and past the outstretched hands Portland goalkeeper, Karina LeBlanc. Midway through the opening period FC Kansas City had a 2-0 lead.

In the 33^rd minute, Portland’s Tobin Heath found the net.  Teammate Tiffany Weimer scored again for the Thorns in the 65^th minute, evening up the score at two goals apiece.  Neither side was able to score again as the second half came to a close.  After playing the first game in league history and the first playoff game in league history, FC Kansas City and Portland Thorns FC would play the first overtime game in NWSL history.

As temperatures continued to climb well over the 90 degree mark, both teams continued to battle for two 15 minute overtime periods.  Allie Long would ultimately decide the game for the Portland Thorns when she was able to knock it past Barnhart in the 103^rd minute of the match.  Although the ‘Blues’ would fight hard and have a few opportunities, they could not equalize and fall to the Thorns, 3-2

FCKC Sweep Season Series with Seattle

FC Kansas City extended their undefeated streak to seven games by shutting out the visiting Seattle Reign 2-0.  In front of 5,271 fans at Verizon Wireless Field, Lauren Holiday and Erika Tymrak chipped in goals past Seattle Reign goalkeeper, Hope Solo.  Nicole Barnhart recorded her eighth clean-sheet of the season as FC Kansas City doesn’t allow a single goal allowed against Seattle this season. 

Although both teams came into this match unbeaten in their past six games, Seattle had four wins in their streak versus four draws in Kansas City’s.  After failing to score against Kansas City in their first three attempts this season, the Reign’s confidence level was high.  Alternatively, FC Kansas City had sure wins melt into unsettling draws as the clock closed down in the past three games.

With no games since last Sunday, Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski had time to work with his side on finishing games in the manner they started them.  The extra work paid off.  The ‘Blues’ came out of the game dominating possession and having multiple offensive chances in the opening minutes of the game.  Merritt Mathias and Melissa Henderson each broke through the Seattle Reign offside trap, but Hope Solo was able to get her hands on each of them to keep the game scoreless.  Making her home debut with her new name, Lauren Holiday broke the stalemate in the 39th minute.  She collected a pass across the top of the penalty box from Erika Tymrak and shot a hard line-drive shot across the goal to the far side of the net and giving her side a 1-0 lead that would last until halftime.

A lead coming out of half is nothing to be taken lightly and Kansas City was determined to not only hold onto it, but try to add to their advantage in the second half.  Becky Sauerbrunn and Lauren Sesselmann held the defensive line and thwarted any attempts from Seattle to get on goal.  At one point, Nicole Barnhart left her line to collect a shot and was knocked off the ball by a Seattle forward.  Although the ball fell to the feet of former FC Kansas City forward, Renae Cuellar, the KC defense swarmed to the ball and she was unable to get a clean look on goal before Desiree Scott cleared the ball from danger. 

As the clock ticked past the 85^th minute mark, FC Kansas City increased its pressure rather than sit back as they had done in previous games.  Rather than wait for the other team to bring the ball to her and her teammates, Erika Tymrak collected a throw-in from Jen Buczkowski and dribbled through four Seattle defenders before curling a shot around the outstretched arms of Solo.  The rookie’s sixth goal of the season gave her side the 2-0 lead that would last through the final minutes and give Kansas City their eighth win of the season.  Kansas City now sits in second place on the NWSL table, two points ahead of Portland who plays tomorrow.

FCKC Draw Again

From FC Kansas City

FC Kansas City has now gone six games without losing as they finish today’s match against the Chicago Red Stars with a 3-3 draw.  In her debut as Lauren Holiday, the former Ms. Cheney scored a goal and had an assist.  A Chicago own goal and Erika Tymrak’s fifth goal of the season gave the Blues a 3-1 lead late in the game, but two Chicago goals in stoppage time, including the game equalizer with seconds to play, leave the Blues with only a single point at the end of this one.

Although this was the third match this season between these two clubs, it was the first for many of the players.  With United States and Canadian national team friendlies taking place, FC Kansas City alone was missing six players for each of the previous two games against Chicago.  Taking advantage of Kansas City’s somewhat unfamiliarity against them, the Red Stars controlled possession early on in the game.  However, FC Kansas City used their speed in the attack to counter many times and had several good chances early in the game.  In the 17th minute, Melissa Henderson raced past the Chicago defense, putting her one-on-one with Red Stars goalkeeper Erin McLeod.  Although the Canadian national goalkeeper was able to make the initial stop, the rebound went straight to Holiday who scored on the open net.

Chicago was able to equalize late in the half when Maribel Dominguez scored her first goal of the season from outside the penalty box.  FC Kansas City went right back on the attack though.  Kristie Mewis drove to goal on the left side and her shot slipped past McLeod, bouncing off the post and then a Chicago defender into the net.  As the teams went into halftime, FC Kansas City led 2-1.  Erika Tymrak scored another counterattack goal in the second half converting a 4 on 1 opportunity in the 86^th minute.

With a 3-1 lead as time ticked towards the final moments, Vlatko Andonovski’s team hunkered down for Chicago’s final attempts at goal.  Ella Masar got her head on a free kick from Lori Chalupny inside the goal box and redirected it just past the hands of Kansas City goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart.  The fourth official then signaled a minimum of five minutes would be added to the game, which now set at a 3-2 FC Kansas City lead.  The stoppage time lasted just seconds too long for FC Kansas City though as Lori Chalupny launched a rocket of a shot from just inside the penalty box, scoring Chicago’s third goal and evening up the game.  The ensuing kickoff was barely away before the referee blew his whistle, signaling the end of the game.

The draw, coupled with a 1-1 tie between Portland and Western New York, leaves Kansas City in third place.  They currently sit one point behind the Portland Thorns and two points up on the Western New York Flash in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) table. 

FCKC Lose Two Goal Lead, Draw Sky Blue

As the second half of the season begins, every game becomes important in the battle for playoff positioning.  Facing the league leading Sky Blue FC, FC Kansas City needed a solid performance to keep their place among the league’s top teams.  Erika Tymrak scored her third goal of the season and Lauren Cheney scored her third goal in the last two games to give the Kansas City a 2-0 lead.  However a strong offensive push allowed to Sky Blue’s Monica Ocampo to score two late goals and this match ended in a 2-2 draw.

Originally scheduled to kickoff at 6:00 p.m. CT, lightning in the area forced the start to be delayed by nearly thirty minutes.  When teams returned to the field, the wet conditions made it difficult for either team to get a solid footing.  Erika Tymrak took advantage when a Sky Blue defender slipped on the wet field, allowing her to attack the goalkeeper unopposed and score the only goal of the first half in the 14th minute.

The second half began with both teams trying to establish control of game possession.  Lauren Cheney was able to use some fancy footwork and clear herself of three defenders before slotting a shot far-post to give KC a 2-0 lead in the 74th minute.  After having to only face three shots on Sunday, Nicole Barnhart was very active tonight, making seven saves on nine shots on goal.  In the final moments of the match, Sky Blue sent their entire team forward in an attempt to salvage the game.  Monica Ocampo was able to score twice, with the final score coming two minutes into added time, to even the score.  As the final whistle blew, both teams earned a point in the standings with a 2-2 draw.

FCKC End Losing Streak with 1-0 Win in Seattle

From FC Kansas City

FC Kansas City concludes its Pacific Northwest tour with a 1-0 victory over the Seattle Reign.  Erika Tymrak scored the game’s only goal in the 63rd minute, her second goal in as many games.  Nicole Barnhart records her fourth win of the season, all of them by shutout, in front of 1,377 fans at Seattle’s Starfire Stadium.

After losing a tough, physical and emotionally-draining game against the Portland Thorns on Thursday night, FC Kansas City needed to come out of this game with some points in order to keep in the top half of the National Women’s Soccer League table.  The task would be especially difficult tonight with the loss of leading scorer, Renae Cuellar, who was injured in Thursday night’s match.

Both teams began play hoping to control the midfield, with FC Kansas City’s Desiree Scott and Kristie Mewis battling to keep the ball in the ‘Blues’ possession.  While both teams were able to put together dangerous attacks, Kansas City was able to hit five shots on goal.  Seattle was only able to muster one.  At halftime, the teams went into the locker room with a 0-0 tie.

Although not quite at the halfway point of the season, a draw would not help Kansas City in their attempts to stay on the top half of the NWSL standings.  A win would catapult them above the Boston Breakers, who lost to the Chicago Red Stars today, into fourth place.  Coach Vlatko Andonovski pushed his players to fight through the fatigue (five Kansas City players were playing in their third game in seven days due to the U.S.A. vs. Canada friendly last Sunday) and push for the first goal.

Erika Tymrak got her second start of the season, tonight filling in for the injured Cuellar.  She made every minute count as she continuously was able to bring the ball up the field with speed and creativity.  Midway through the second half, Lauren Cheney found Tymrak on the right side with a lofting cross.  Tymrak controlled the ball and carried it up the byline towards the waiting Reign goalkeeper, Hope Solo.  Shooting near-post, Tymrak caught Solo off guard and the ball bounced off the goalkeeper into the net.  Although officially scored at game time as an own-goal, it likely will be credited to Tymrak upon review from league officials. 

Rather than sit back to preserve the 1-0 victory, Andonovski inserted speedy Courtney Jones to try and push the attack right back towards the Seattle defense.  Kansas City was able to get off nine shots in the second half, although only the one from Tymrak found the inside of the goal.

FC Kansas City Fall in First Game of Road Trip

A high scoring offensive battle between FC Kansas City and the Portland Thorns saw the Blues come up just a goal short after falling behind 2-0 early as they lost 4-3 in Portland.  The game is the first of 3 on the road, and the first of two this weekend as the Blues now travel for a game in Seattle on Sunday.

Alex Morgan gave the Thorns the lead in the 13th minute before Courtney Wetzel doubled the lead in the 20th. FCKC was missing Lauren Sesselmann in the center of defense partnering Becky Sauerbrunn due to her red card in the team's last game against Sky Blue FC.  The Blues got back into the game in the 31st minute.  Renae Cuellar raced towards goal after being played in, but she was fouled from behind by Rachel Buehler.  Lauren Cheney stepped up and buried the PK to make it 2-1.  Unfortunately for KC, Cuellar was unable to continue the game due to the injury she suffered on the foul and was replaced by Courtney Jones.

The Cuellar loss could be big blow depending on how serious it is. After the game FCKC coach Vlatko Andonovski said that x-rays on the ankle were negative so they're just calling it a sprain at the moment.  Here status for Sunday in Seattle is unclear.

Very early in the second half, Portland restored their 2 goal lead as Morgan set up Danielle Foxhoven in the 48th to make it 3-1.  FCKC continued to hang around though and less than 10 minutes later were back within a goal as Leigh Ann Robinson set up Cheney for her second of the night and getting KC back within 1.  The Thorns though were able to take advantage of the Blues pushing numbers forward looking for the equalizer and in the 66th minute, Morgan had her brace as the Thorns again restored their 2 goal lead.  FCKC though would find another goal in the 81st.  Robinson was again the provider, this time setting up Erika Tymrak for her first professional goal to make it 4-3.  The Blues continued to search for an equalizer but couldn't find a 4th themselves as the two teams played to the highest scoring game in the NWSL's short history. 

They'll be back at it Sunday in Seattle and then head to Chicago for the first of a home and home with the Red Stars on Thursday.

FC Kansas City Add 4 in First Draft Class

FC Kansas City picked up their first 4 draft picks today in the first NWSL draft.  FCKC had the 3rd pick in the draft, which was figured by a panel that compared the strength of their allocated players.  Today at the NSCAA convention KC made their 4 picks.

In the first round, the Blues selected Kristie Mewis from Boston College.  Mewis is a midfielder who was a MAC Hermann award semifinalist and first team All-American.  Mewis has been a member of the US U-17 and U-20 national teams.

In the second round, FCKC selected Erika Tymrak.  The midfielder from the University of Florida has been selected as an All-American and is in the US U-23 pool and a MAC Hermann award semifinalist.

In the third round, the Blues selected a local player, Whitney Berry from the University of Kansas.  The first team All Big 12 midfielder/forward led KU in assists this year and finished as the leader for KU in assists for her career.

In their final selection, Kansas City went with another local option, drafting Nia Williams from Missouri State.  Williams is the daughter of FCKC assistant coach, Huw Williams.  Williams was a 4 time All Missouri Valley player and was the MVC Defensive player of the year.

The four players will join the seven that were originally allocated to FCKC.  The rest of the Blues roster will be filled through free agent signings, and from Twitter today, a dispersal draft of other pros.