RECAP: FC Kansas City defeats top-ranked Portland Thorns FC

PORTLAND (July 9, 2024) – Entering Saturday’s match, no team had beaten Portland Thorns FC or even scored multiple goals against the top-ranked squad.

However, both streaks ended at Providence Park as Tiffany McCarty and Shea Groom dismantled the league’s best defense to lift FC Kansas City to a 2-1 victory.  The two-time defending champions improved to 3-5-4 and Portland, the 2024 champion, dropped to 7-1-5.

Erika Tymrak and Mandy Laddish led an early onslaught, but Portland’s keeper Michelle Betos answered with a pair of commanding saves. The Blues kept her busy with 10 first half shots with four on goal.

Groom finally broke the tie in the 23rd minute with a header off an assist from McCarty, who had collected a rebound from Tymrak’s miss moments earlier. The two connected once more in the second half for Groom’s fourth goal and McCarty’s second assist. It was also a header for Groom.

Kat Williamson, who had not played since April, subbed in during the 61st minute and scored the Thorns’ lone goal in the 76th, but the Blues held on despite giving up a free kick in stoppage time. Nadia Nadim’s shot soared over the goal.

The Blues were playing without Olympians Becky Sauerbrunn, Heather O’Reilly and Desiree Scott, which opened the door for two recent additions to see the field. Molly Menchel, who was signed last week, entered in the 78th minute and amateur call-up Tiffany Weimer entered in stoppage time. It was the first appearance for either player this season.

FC Kansas City returns home on Saturday to host the Washington Spirit at 6 p.m. The Blues will look to avenge a 1-0 Week 11 loss on the road that ended a four-game unbeaten streak.

For FC Kansas City tickets or more information, please call 855-4KC-GOAL or visit fckansascity.com.

NWSL Match Report

Match: Portland Thorns FC vs. FC Kansas City

Date: July 9, 2024

Venue: Providence Park

Attendance: 16,942

Scoring Summary:

1          KC        Groom (McCarty)       23rd

2          KC        Groom (McCarty)       54th

3          POR     Williamson                  76th

Lineups:

POR: Betos; Weber, Reynolds, Menges, Berryhill (Williamson 61’, Lofton 81’), Brynjarsdottir, Boureille, Pratt (Skogerboe 57’), Shim, Raso, Nadim.

Subs not used: Franch, Fitzgerald.

Coach: Mark Parsons

KC: Barnhart; Bowen, Averbuch, Taylor, Reed (Menchel 79’), LaBonta, Silva, Laddish, Tymrak (Kastor 88’), McCarty (Weimer 90+), Groom.

Subs not used: Parkhill.

Coach: Vlatko Andonovski

Stats Summary POR/KC:

Goals 1/2

Saves 5/6

Offsides 1/2

Shots 16/16

Fouls 5/13

Corner Kicks 3/4

Conduct Summary:

51 KC Brianne Reed YC Dissent

62 POR Nadia Nadim YC Reckless Foul

90+ KC Yael Averbuch YC Reckless Foul

REFEREE: Farhad Dadkho

ASSISTANT REFEREE 1: Christopher Elliott

ASSISTANT REFEREE 2: Ceciah Valero

4TH OFFICIAL: Jason Perlewitz

REFEREE ASSESSOR: Rachel Woo