FC KANSAS CITY SUFFERS FIRST DEFEAT

Lauren Cheney Scores Lone Goal in 2-1 Loss

Rochester, New York (May 11, 2024) – FC Kansas City suffered its first loss of the season Saturday night at Sahlen’s Stadium against the Western New York Flash by the score of 2-1.  Current FIFA Player of the Year, Abby Wambach, scored both goals for the home side in the first half.  Her U.S. Women’s National teammate put FC Kansas City on the board in the second half, but the ‘Blues’ were unable to find an equalizer.

Going into tonight’s match, Kansas City’s defense had been the best in the league.  When Wambach scored in the 34th minute it ended a 237 minute shutout streak for Nicole Barnhart and the KC defense.  It was also the first goal given up in run-of-play, putting FC Kansas City behind for the first time all season.  Wambach scored again five minutes later taking advantage of a defensive miscue from KC and beat Nicole Barnhart one-on-one for the 2-0 lead.

Lauren Cheney was able to get the Blues on the board with a flick-header past the outstretched arms of Western New York goalkeeper, Adrianna French, in the 53rd minute.  Trying to increase the offensive pressure, Coach Vlatko Andonovski subbed in Erika Tymrak, Courtney Jones and Melissa Henderson as the second half went along.  Although they outshot the Flash 12-9, Kansas City was not able to add more goals to their tally

The team will return home next Saturday, May 18th to face Sydney Leroux and the Boston Breakers at 7:35p.m. CT.  Tickets are available by emailing tickets@kcprosoccer.com or calling 855.4KC.GOAL.

NWSL Match Report

Match: FC Kansas City vs. Western New York Flash Date: May 11, 2024 Venue: Sahlen’s Stadium, Rochester, New York Kickoff: 7:35p.m. ET Attendance: 2,738 Weather: 56, Sunny

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Lineups: FCKC: 1-Barnhart Goalkeeper; 9-Matthias Right Back (2-Henderson 88’), 14-Sesselmann Center Back, 4-Sauerbrunn (C) Center Back, 13-Robinson Left Back; 19-Mewis Midfielder, 6-Buczkowski Midfielder, 11-Scott Midfielder, 12-Cheney (C) Midfielder, 17-Farrelly Midfielder (8 - Jones 75’); 10-Cuellar Forward (8- Tymrak 59’) Unused subs: Henninger, Kelly, Williams Head Coach: Vlatko Andonovski

WNYF: D #2 Alex Sahlen, M #4 Samantha Kerr (Laura Heyboer 82’), M #6 Angela Salem, M #7 McCall Zerboni, F #8 Adriana Martin, D #12 Estelle Johnson, D #13 Brittany Taylor, D #16 Katherine Reynolds (Bryanna McCarthy 75’), F #17 Veronica Perez (Carli Lloyd 64’) , F #20 Abby Wambach, GK #24 Adrianna Franch