FC Kansas City v Sky Blue FC - Game Preview
FC Kansas City aims to continue their home undefeated streak against Sky Blue FC on Saturday May 25th on Verizon Wireless Field. Kansas City comes in to this match off a win against Boston and Sky Blue comes from a win over Seattle. These clubs are two of the top teams in the league right now. Sky Blue FC and the Portland Thorns are tied for first with 16 points. FC Kansas City, having played two fewer games than either of them, is right behind with 10 points. The ‘Blues’ had a beautiful game at home against the Boston Breakers last week. Goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart earned her third clean sheet of the season, blocking all five shots on goal. Allocated defender, Becky Sauerbrunn cheered her team on from the sidelines while nursing a hamstring injury from the previous game against Western New York but hopes to be back in action against Sky Blue. Jen Buczkowski dropped back to cover the empty spot and Casey Loyd filled in at midfield. Though the lineup and positions were shifted, the Kansas City defense held Boston to eight shots the entire game. The ‘Blues’ were just as stunning offensively having eight of their fourteen shots on goal. Lauren Cheney assisted Renae Cuellar’s goal early in the first half and scored a goal of her own in the second half. Boston’s star forward Sydney Leroux was under the radar most of the game only managing one shot.
Sky Blue FC comes to Overland Park after a very physical game against Seattle Reign FC. The game had a total of five cards, including the first red card of the league to a Seattle player and two yellow cards to New Jersey players. Sky Blue had ten shots on goal, scoring three on Seattle goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer. Sky Blue goalkeeper Brittany Cameron saved the defense throughout the game. Substitute midfielder for Sky Blue, Taylor Lytle entered the pitch with twenty minutes left and scored the last goal of the game. Lytle also had a late goal in the game against Portland the week before.
In this week’s marquee NWSL matchup, Sky Blue defender and current NWSL Player of the Week, Christie Rampone, will have her hands full with USWNT teammate, Lauren Cheney, who is tied for first in the league for assists. Rising star Renae Cuellar is in a five-way tie for first in goals scored for the league. The two Kansas City stars have proven they are a deadly duo on the field. With help from midfielders Sinead Farrelly and Kristie Mewis, the Kansas City offense is a powerhouse. Nicole Barnhart and the rest of the Kansas City backfield are always up for a challenge, having only allowed twenty shots in the past five games. Barnhart holds up her end when a play breaks through, allowing three goals.
Additional Notes:
- FC Kansas City had 6 players named to their respective National Teams this week. Lauren Cheney, Nicole Barnhart and Becky Sauerbrunn from the US. Lauren Sesselmann and Desiree Scott for Canada.
- This is the first meeting between these two teams.
- Sky Blue is the only team to defeat Portland this season.
- Sky Blue’s Christie Rampone was named Week 6 NWSL MVP.
Full Game Notes here: