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NWSL National Women's Soccer League

Boston Breakers Host FC Kansas City on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET at Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium

July 8, 2015 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) News Release


CHICAGO (July 8, 2015) - Shea Groom and FC Kansas City travel to Boston to face the Breakers at 7 p.m. ET with a renewed sense of optimism when the two teams square off Thursday night at Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium in Boston.

Groom scored for the second game running and the NWSL champions also got goals from midfielder Yael Averbuch and forward Liz Bogus to pace FC Kansas City to a 3-0 victory over the Washington Spirit in Week 12.

The win snapped a five-match winless run for the Blues and vaulted FCKC into fourth in the standings.

It was the first time in 11 games this season in which FC Kansas City scored three or more goals in a game. The Blues have scored one goal or fewer in nine of their 11 contests in 2015 after two or more goals in half of their 24 matches last season.

While coach Vlatko Andonovski's offense broke out of their slump, goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart also got things pointed in the right direction by recording two saves to post her fourth shutout of the season - and first since May 8.

The match is the first in a stretch that will see FC Kansas City play three of their next four games away from home. The Blues have been one of the league's most consistent performers on the road, averaging 1.17 points per game away from Swope Soccer Village - second best in the NWSL.

The Breakers come into the game - the third of four straight home games - looking to rebound after suffering two consecutive defeats at Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium after a 2-0 loss to the Western New York Flash on June 28.

Goalkeeper Jami Kranich made three saves for Boston in the loss.

Getting off to a strong start will be imperative for coach Tom Durkin's side, as the Breakers are looking to improve upon a league-worst minus-4 goal difference in the first half of games this season.

Boston will be looking for a close game Thursday night. While the Breakers boast a 3-1-2 record in games decided by one goal or less, tied with the Washington Spirit for the second most in the league - they have lost all four games they've played this season that have been decided by two or more goals.

Boston has not won in four games since a 1-0 victory against the Blues on May 30, the only previous encounter between the two sides this season. Breakers midfielder Kristie Mewis scored the lone goal of the match and Kranich made three saves to earn her two shutouts in 2015.

Mewis and company close out their four-match home stand with another midweek match against the league-leading Chicago Red Stars on July 15, the first in a home-and-home series between the two clubs.

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