FC KANSAS CITY PREPARES FOR PROMINENT REMATCH
Previous Meeting Was Highest Scoring in League History
PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan (June 28, 2024) – FC Kansas City will return from a quick road trip to take on Portland Thorns FC on Sunday, June 30th. The ‘Blues’ return home after a 2-2 tie against the National Women’s Soccer League leading Sky Blue FC in New Jersey on Wednesday. Portland visits after a scoreless match, also against Sky Blue FC, last Sunday. This will be the third time the two clubs have met this season. The first in Kansas City was the inaugural NWSL game ending in a 1-1 tie followed by a 4-3 thriller in Portland earlier this month. Kickoff is set for 3:10 PM CT on Verizon Wireless Field in Overland Park, Kan.
JUNE 30TH FC KANSAS CITY vs PORTLAND THORNS GAME NOTES
On Wednesday, FC Kansas City took over third place in the NWSL standings after earning a point against Sky Blue FC. The ‘Blues’ were looking for a win after a loss at home in the first meeting with the New Jersey club. The lineup seemed unclear after a drastic change at last Sunday’s game against Washington, but Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski continued with the new lineup that includes Melissa Henderson up front and speedsters Erika Tymrak and Courtney Jones on the midfield flanks. The lineup now showcases the talent throughout the team. After a thirty minute weather delay, Tymrak scored the first goal of the match in the fourteenth minute. The wet field conditions made it difficult for either team to maintain solid possession of the ball. The game went to halftime with Kansas City up 1-0. In the second half, Lauren Cheney made her way through the New Jersey back line to score Kansas City’s second goal in the 74th minute. As the end drew near, Sky Blue FC amped up the energy to try and make up the two-goal differential. Midfielder Monica Ocampo scored in the eighty-fifth minute for New Jersey. Sky Blue was not satisfied with that one goal. Ocampo scored again two minutes into stoppage time to even up the score at the final whistle. Both teams took away a point, meaning Sky Blue FC passed Portland for first and Kansas City took third from Western New York.
Sky Blue was also the last opponent for the Portland Thorns. The Thorns went to New Jersey on Sunday, June 23rd. The two clubs, then tied for first in the NWSL, were set to have an explosive match. Both teams had numerous plays that could have been goals, however the goalkeepers performed spectacularly throughout the match. Sly Blue’s Lisa De Vanna had a 1-on-1 play with Karina LeBlanc. Alex Morgan had three shots and Tiffany Weimer had three on target for Portland. Sky Blue and the Thorns kept the action with in scoring range all game keeping the fans on the edge of their seats. Portland has a total of ten shots in the match. Although the whistle would end the game with the teams scoreless, Portland and Sky Blue each took home a point and remained tied in the standings.
The last time Portland and FC Kansas City met was one of the most exciting games of the season. Both clubs played to their best offensively, the 4-3 final was the highest scoring match in league history, to date. This Sunday is important for both teams as the playoff picture begins to take shape. The ‘Blues’ will gain some ground on the Thorns in standings and Portland could pass Sky Blue FC in the NWSL standings with three points on Sunday. FC Kansas City’s offense will be a challenge for Portland’s backfield. Lauren Cheney is tied with Abby Wambach for the league goal-scoring lead with 7 goals. Renae Cuellar is right behind with six and rookie Erika Tymrak is coming on strong with three goals in her last six games. Portland has their scoring duo of Alex Morgan and Christine Sinclair, the two combined had three shots against Sky Blue. Kansas City backfield of Becky Sauerbrunn and Lauren Sesselmann will look to keep Morgan and Sinclair away from goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart.
The kick off for these two teams is set for 3:10 PM CT on Sunday, June 30th. FC Kansas City and Portland will battle on Verizon Wireless Field located at 7401 Johnson Drive in Overland Park. The next game for the ‘Blues’ will be July 3 in Maryland to visit the Washington Spirit. For tickets, call 855.4KC.GOAL (855.452.4625)