RECAP: FC KANSAS CITY AND WASHINGTON SETTLE FOR SCORELESS DRAW AT SWOPE SOCCER VILLAGE
Lauren Holiday’s #12 was retired in a pre-game ceremony
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (August 27, 2024) – FC Kansas City (8-6-5, 29 points) was increased its unbeaten streak to five games after tying 0-0 against the Washington Spirit (8-5-5, 29 points) in front of 2,492 fans at Swope Soccer Village. With the result, the Spirit took the fourth and final spot in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) playoffs.
Lauren Holiday was joined by her parents and husband in a pre-game ceremony where FC Kansas City retired her number 12 jersey to honor her career as she announced her retirement after helping the U.S. Women’s National Team win its third FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Blues have not allowed a goal in 376 minutes as Nicole Barnhart earned her eighth and league leading clean sheet of the season. In addition, rookie Shea Groom returned to the field after seven weeks out with an injury when she entered the match for Heather O’Reilly in the 88th minute.
Both teams created several scoring opportunities since the first minute of play. However, it wasn’t until the 21st minute when the Blues nearly got on the board when goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris barely got a touch on a shot from Leigh Ann Robinson before hitting the crossbar.
Later in the match, Kansas City was denied again when Rodriguez rifled a first-touch shot inside the box before hitting the left post in the 54th minute of play. Moments later Harris punched out a shot from O’Reilly to keep the game scoreless.
Next up, Coach Vlatko Andonovski’s team will visit Sky Blue FC on Wednesday, September 2 for the regular season finale in a match that will define the playoff scenarios.
FC Kansas City vs. Washington Spirit, August 27, 2024 – Swope Soccer Village
Attendance: 2,492
Scoring Summary:
N/A
Starting Lineups:
FCKC: Barnhart; Robinson, LePeilbet, Sauerbrunn, Moros; Buczkowski, Laddish, Tymrak (Silva), Holiday, O’Reilly (Groom); Rodriguez.
SHOTS: 12, SHOTS ON GOAL: 7, SAVES: 2, CORNERS: 7, FOULS: 6, CARDS: 0
WAS: Harris, Krieger, Oyster, Johnson, Reynolds, Huster, Nairn (Salem), Lohman (Okobi), Ordega (Da Costa), Dunn, Matheson.
SHOTS: 7, SHOTS ON GOAL: 2, SAVES: 7, CORNERS: 3, FOULS: 6, CARDS: 4
Disciplinary Summary:
WAS: Huster (Caution), 53
WAS: Okobi (Caution), 76
WAS: Matheson (Caution), 79