RECAP: FC KANSAS CITY EARNS A POINT ON THE ROAD WITH 1-1 TIE AGAINST THE PORTLAND THORNS
Thorns goalkeeper Michelle Betos scored in the 94th minute to tie the match
PORTLAND, Oregon (June 19, 2024) – Just when FC Kansas City was about to wrap up an important road victory, Portland Thorns FC goalkeeper Michelle Betos equalized the match with a diving header from a corner kick in the 94th minute to tie match 1-1 in front of over 15,000 fans at Providence Park on Friday night.
The Blues (3-4-2, 11 points) took the lead in the 52nd minute when forward Sarah Hagen found the back of the net after heading a perfectly placed free kick from midfielder Jen Buczkowski making it 1-0.
Kansas City and Portland (2-3-4, 10 points) settled for a scoreless first half. However, both sides created multiple scoring opportunities including a long-range shot by Hagen that bounced off Betos’ right post before the defense cleared it off.
Both teams came out to the field for the second half as the fourth official announced the first substitution of the match when defender Alyssa Kleiner entered the match for Taylor Cromeau. Five minutes later, Portland’s Kendall Johnson was issued a yellow card for a foul on Shea Groom, which led to Kansas City’s only tally.
Moments later and after a foul called on Groom who was on the ground, Thorns’ McCall Zerboni was shown a red card after stepping on the Liberty, Missouri native’s leg leaving Head Coach Paul Riley with 10 players in the 71st minute.
The fourth official announced a minimum of five minutes of added time, which saw all twenty-two players on Kansas City’s half as the Thorns looked for the tying goal. Portland won a corner before Betos ran across the field and into the box before connecting Allie Long’s kick, which barely crossed the goal line as Frances Silva tried to clear it.
FC Kansas City will end its three-game road trip next Saturday when the Blues visit Seattle Reign FC’s Moda Pitch before returning home to host the Washington Spirit on Friday, July 3rd.
Portland Thorns FC (2-3-4, 10 points) vs. FC Kansas City (3-4-2, 11 points)
June 19, 2105 – Providence Park (Portland, Oregon)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Thorns FC 0 1 1
FC Kansas City 0 1 1
Scoring Summary
FCKC: Hagen (Buczkowski), 52
PTFC: Betos (Long), 94
Misconduct Summary
PTFC: Long (Caution), 45
PTFC: Johnson (Caution), 51
FCKC: Hagen (Caution) 62
PTFC: Zerboni (Ejection) 71
FCKC: Groom (Caution) 71
Starting Lineups
PTFC: Betos; Van Hollebeke, Williamson ©, Menges, Cromeau (Kleiner), Farrelly, Zerboni, Johnson (Jackson), Long, Shim (Terry), Ayo.
Substitutes Not Used: Kruger, Bennett, Niemiec, Haycook.
FCKC: Barnhart; Robinson ©, LePeilbet, Averbuch, Moros, Buczkowski, Laddish, Tymrak, Bogus (Lisenby), Groom (Silva), Hagen (Kastor).
Substitutes Not Used: Rowland, Clark, Richardson.
Referee: Brandon Artis
Assistant Referees: TJ Zablocki, Reyna Fonseca
Fourth Official: Desmond Miller
Weather: Partly cloudy, 77 degrees