FC Kansas City Takes On Boston
FC Kansas City (5-4-3 18 pts) will welcome the Boston Breakers (2-7-0 6 pts) to town for the first time this season on Saturday. The Blues look to continue a shutout streak against the Breakers after a 2-0 win in the previous matchup. Kick off on Verizon Wireless Field at Durwood Stadium is set for 7:00 PM Central Time on June 7th. FC Kansas City comes off of a 1-0 win over the Western New York Flash and Boston visits after a 2-3 loss from Washington Spirit on June 1st.
On Wednesday, FC Kansas City won over the Western New York Flash 1-0. Amy Rodriguez scored the only goal of the night in the last minute of the first half on a play from Leigh Ann Robinson. The Blues were looking to win over the Flash after a loss in Rochester earlier this season. Having a full and rather healthy roster was the difference between this matchup and the last. The game on Wednesday showed both teams’ strengths. Robinson almost scored off of a play from Rodriguez earlier in the match, but goalkeeper Lydia Williams was there to save the attempt. Amy LePeilbet made her return to the pitch after 16 months of rehabbing a knee injury and sitting out the last National Women’s Soccer League season. LePeilbet came on as a substitute in the last minutes of the match to the crowd cheering her return.
On June 1st, the Breakers hosted the Washington Spirit that resulted in a 3-2 loss at home. There were some lineup changes for Boston that included benching Jazmine Reeves who scored a hat trick in the previous match against Portland. Heather O’Reilly and Lisa De Vanna made returns to the lineup for Boston. Possession seemed to favor the Breakers including scoring the first goal in the 29th minute. Former FC Kansas City player, Kristie Mewis curved the ball to Lianne Sanderson who netted the ball. Washington answered five minutes later when Christine Narin who sent a perfect free-kick shot past the Boston goalkeeper. Sanderson earned a brace for the night just four minutes later after De Vanna passed the ball to the English midfielder. The Spirit would score the last two goals in the second half, both from Jodie Taylor and assisted by Diana Matheson.
For Saturday, the Blues will look to shut out Boston again, this time at home. This will be the last match for four FC Kansas City players before going to camp for U.S. national duty. These players are Lauren Holiday, Nicole Barnhart, Becky Sauerbrunn and Rodriguez. Sarah Hagen was set to join the Blues, but received a call up for national duty as well and will join after. Last match against Boston, Nikki Phillips scored her first professional goal on a corner kick from Holiday. Rodriguez took credit for the other to complete the 2-0 score. The backline will need to hold off Boston’s Sanderson and keep an eye on Reeves due to their scoring statistics. Rodriguez can take full ownership of the league leading scorer if she scores just one goal and Seattle’s Kim Little does not score against Chicago later Saturday night. The three home points could possibly move Kansas City in to a second place spot in the NWSL standings.
Kick off for this match is set for 7:00 PM Central Time on Verizon Wireless Field at Durwood Soccer Stadium. Looking ahead, the Blues travel to Houston to face the Dash next Saturday, June 14th. The next home game will be June 21st, against the Chicago Red Stars. For tickets to all home matches call 855.4KC.GOAL