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Sky Blue FC Defeated 2-1 by FC Kansas City

July 27, 2014 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Sky Blue FC News Release


KANSAS CITY, MO (July 27, 2014) - A late surge from Sky Blue FC (4-8-7, 19 pts) would fall short as FC Kansas City (11-5-4, 37 pts) defeated the New Jersey club 2-1 on Sunday night at Verizon Wireless Field at H. Durwood Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

FC Kansas City had several scoring opportunities early in the match, with the most dangerous coming in the 13th minute. Defender Leigh Ann Robinson played a ball over the top as forward Katrina Gorry made a diagonal run to the left side. Gorry chested the ball down and used her second touch to strike the ball on frame. Sky Blue FC keeper Jill Loyden made a diving save to keep the game scoreless.

Another close opportunity for FCKC came in the 25th minute. Midfielder Erika Tymrak ripped a shot from outside the box that deflected off the crossbar. SBFC eventually cleared the ball out for a Kansas City corner, and the following play resulted in a goal kick for the New Jersey squad.

FC Kansas City would finally get on the board in the 34th minute. Forward Sarah Hagen started the attack by making her way up the right flank, and then passed the ball to midfielder Lauren Holiday. Holiday got into the penalty area, cut the ball back and slotted a pass across the box to a wide-open Amy Rodriguez on the left side. Her one-time shot bounced off the post and into the net for her 11th goal of the season.

The score would remain 1-0 going into the locker room. Sky Blue FC was unable to record a shot on goal in the first half, and Kansas City had an 8-2 shot advantage.

In the second half, SBFC would find its first scoring chance in the 58th minute. Defender Cami Levin played a long ball into the box for forward Kelley O'Hara. She was able to tip the ball past a diving Nicole Barnhart, but O'Hara's shot bounced off the post and was cleared away from danger by the FCKC defense.

After Holiday had several scoring chances, including a shot from distance that forced Loyden to make a big save, she would find the back of the net in the 70th minute. Second half substitute Frances Silva slipped a ball through the SBFC back line into the box for an unmarked Holiday. She beat Loyden down low to give her club a 2-0 lead.

Sky Blue FC would not be shut out though. In the 87th minute, SBFC forward Nadia Nadim punished a bad back pass from Gorry by intercepting the pass and slotting it past Barnhart for her second goal in three games.

Despite several more scoring chances for Sky Blue FC in added time, the NJ side could not find the back of the net again. FC Kansas City would hold on to defeat SBFC 2-1.

SBFC returns home to Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J. on July 31 to host the Western NY Flash at 7 p.m. ET. Purchase tickets at tickets.skybluefc.com .

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from July 27, 2014


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