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FC Kansas City Battles to Scoreless Draw

September 10, 2017 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
FC Kansas City News Release


FC KANSAS CITY BATTLES TO SCORELESS DRAW

KANSAS CITY (September 9, 2017) - FC Kansas City's playoff hopes came to an end Saturday afternoon as they played to a scoreless draw against the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL Lifetime Game of the Week. The match, as a whole, was a midfield battle with each side creating chances, but neither finishing.

FC Kansas City vs Chicago Red Stars Game Stats

Chicago's first opportunity came off a corner kick in the 14th minute. Red Stars midfielder Danny Colaprico crossed the ball into the box, but defender Sydney Miramontez got her head on the pass to clear it away from danger. Miramontez, signed to the team midway through the season, was making her first career start as an outside back.

The Blues' first chance came when midfielder Lo'eau LaBonta was fouled by Chicago defender Sam Johnson right outside the box. Defender Yael Averbuch stepped up to take the free kick, but it was blocked by the wall and went out for a goal kick.

Goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart came up with a great save in the 23rd minute. After forward Shea Groom fouled Red Stars defender Casey Short, Colaprico crossed the ball in to the box, but the header fell to Barnhart who smothered it.

Each side had a few close moments during the remainder of the first half, but neither team could convert their shots into goals.

The first shot on goal, for either side, came in the 47th minute after a Miramontez cross was misplayed and landed at the feet of Groom who tried her luck from outside the box. Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was able to move across the goalmouth quickly and come up with the save.

Barnhart came up big for her side in the 55th minute as well. Chicago took a corner kick that found its way to the feet of forward Sofia Huerta, but the Blues' goalkeeper came up with the point-blank save.

The entire defensive back line stood strong in the 70th minute after Chicago forward Christen Press dribbled end line to try and cross. Sauerbrunn came in with a sliding tackle to break up the attack and was fouled hard for her efforts.

In the 83rd minute, FC Kansas City earned a corner kick with some good work by Groom to get end line and force a deflection. In the 87th minute, the Blues earned another corner. Miramontez crossed the ball into the box and to Kelly's head, but Naeher came up with the save.

FCKC had one last chance at the end of the match to put one away as midfielder Desiree Scott chipped the ball to Leroux. The veteran forward took a half-volley shot off her chest, but the ball went just over the crossbar.

FC Kansas City will earn a point in the standings for the draw, however he tied score ends their chance at any postseason opportunities.

FC Kansas City will be able to rest this week as the NWSL takes a break for the FIFA International Window. Becky Sauerbrunn and the U.S. Women's National Team will play a pair of friendlies against Katie Bowen and the New Zealand National Team this week.

When NWSL action picks up again, the Blues will be on the road as they take on the Seattle Reign Sunday September 23 at 8 p.m. CT. The match can be streamed on go90.com or the go90 app which is available on for both iOS and Android platforms.

NWSL Match Report

Match: FC Kansas City vs Chicago Red Stars

Date: September 9, 2017

Venue: Swope Soccer Village, Kansas City, MO

Kickoff: 2:50 p.m. CT

Weather: 90, Sunny

Scoring

Scoring Summary

Goals

1

2

F

FC Kansas City

0

0

0

Chicago

0

0

0

Lineups:

FC Kansas City: Barnhart, Moros, Averbuch, Sauerbrunn ©, Miramontez, Gibbons, Scott, LaBonta (Ratcliffe 74'), Bowen (Kelly 56'), Groom, Leroux

Substitutes Not Used: Tymrak, Flynn, Newfield, Parkhill

Chicago Red Stars: Naeher, Johnson, Naughton, Gilliland, Short, Ertz, Huerta (Mautz 86'), Colaprico, Brian (Comeau 57'), Nagasato (McCaffrey 77'), Press ©

Substitutes Not Used: Hoy, Gorden, Kaskie, Dalton

FC Kansas City is a founding member and proud two-time champion of the National Women's Soccer League. Fans can keep up-to-date on the most recent club news by following the Blues' official Twitter account (@FCKansasCity).

--FCKansasCity.com--

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