WRITING

PREVIEW: FC Kansas City Puts Three-Game Unbeaten Streak On the Line Against the Boston Breakers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (August 21, 2015) – FC Kansas City (7-6-4, 25 points) will put their three-game unbeaten streak on the line on Saturday night when they host the Boston Breakers (4-10-3, 15 points) at Swope Soccer Village. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT and tickets can be purchased at fckansascity.com or at the box office on game day.

Fans are encouraged to stay after the final whistle as FIFA World Cup Champions Lauren Holiday and Alyssa Naeher (Boston Breakers) will be joined by Shea Groom, Katelyn Rowland, Meghan Lisenby and Domi Richardson to share their stories with the fans in celebration of Faith and Family night.

Kansas City and the Breakers will meet for the third and last time this season. On May 30, the Blues visited Harvard University but were unable to get a positive result after falling 1-0. However, FCKC returned on July 9 for a hard fought 3-2 victory in a match that saw Groom assist Erika Tymrak twice before scoring the game-winning tally in the 78th minute. Moments later, she had to leave the match with a right foot second metatarsal fracture, which left her out of competition for six weeks.

The Blues enter the match with two consecutive home shutouts against the Western NY Flash (4-0) and the Portland Thorns (3-0). With three weeks left before the playoffs, a victory could secure a spot in the final four. On the other hand, Coach Tom Durkin’s team will try to end the season on a high note after being out of playoff contention.

Both sides have squared off a total of eight times in the past three seasons. The Blues lead the all-time series 6-2-0. The last time the Breakers visited Kansas City, Amy Rodriguez and Sarah Hagen each scored a goal to earn a 2-1 victory at Durwood Stadium on August 6, 2014.

This will be the first time that Heather O’Reilly faces her former team, as she was in Canada with the U.S. Women’s National Team during the last two matches. In addition, defender Kasey Kallman and Morgan Marlborough will receive their 2014 NWSL Championship rings prior to the game.

FC Kansas City is led by Groom (4 goals and two assists) followed by Liz Bogus, Erika Tymrak and Hagen all with three tallies, while former Blues player Kristie Mewis leads Boston with six goals and an assist. In addition, goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart leads the NWSL with six clean sheets in fourteen games.

The match will be streamed live on YouTube and can also be followed on Twitter at @BluesGameday. Season Tickets for the 2016 season are also available. Fans can receive 20% off before August 31st by calling 855-4KC-GOAL.

RECAP: FC Kansas City Earns Third Consecutive Shutout with a Win Over the Boston Breakers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (August 22, 2015) – FC Kansas City earned their ninth clean sheet of the season and moved to second place in the NWSL standings after defeating the Boston Breakers 3-0. Amy Rodriguez doubled her goal-scoring total for the season after scoring a brace in front of 2,321 fans at the Swope Soccer Village.

Forward Shea Groom made her return to the roster after recovering from a right foot injury, and Lauren Holiday also returned to the starting lineup after an injury to her hip (left sacral iliac).

After defeating their past two opponents by a combined seven goals - Western NY Flash (4-0) and the Portland Thorns (3-0) - head coach Vlatko Andonovski was looking for another big win, and the team delivered.

Amy Rodriguez scored her first of two goals to put the Blues ahead in the 29th minute. Leigh Ann Robinson crossed a ball in for her at the penalty spot, and the forward placed it past Alyssa Naeher for her third goal of the season.

After the half break, Lauren Holiday notched a goal and an assist in two minutes. Her goal came first, in the 50th minute. Holiday received a pass from Rodriguez, then blasted through a pocket of defenders and hit a rocket from 15 yards.

In the 52nd minute, Holiday centered the ball for Rodriguez, who slipped it through and into the back of the net to give FC Kansas City the 3-0 lead.

Goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart earned her league-leading seventh shutout of the 2015 season. In the past three games, the Blues have defeated opponents by a total of ten goals.

Next up, FC Kansas City faces the Washington Spirit in a match with important playoff implications on August 27 at Swope Soccer Village.’

VIDEOS

Both videos below link to playlists. For the game previews/recaps, I filmed, interviewed players and coaches, and edited together the final product. For the player profiles, I filmed and edited.

GRAPHICS