Yael Averbuch would score the game winner for FC Kansas City off a free kick in the 53rd minute.
In their first meeting of the season FC Kansas City played host to the Orlando Pride Saturday night. Both clubs were missing their national team players, including Orlando’s standout keeper Ashlynn Harris. With three rookies getting a start, it was FC KC who would come away with their first win of the season, defeating the Pride 2-0.
Throughout the first half both teams looked as if they were trying to get a feel for the game, and the new line-ups. Play was mainly kept to the middle with FCKC keeper Nicole Barnhart, who leads the league in saves, remaining relatively untested. Same could be said for Orlando keeper Aubrey Bledsoe who was getting her first start of the season.
The surprise story of the game was Pride standout Sarah Hagen suddenly substituting out for Tiffany McCarty in the 21st minute without explanation. Play picked up near the end of the first half with Orlando gaining momentum; however they could not break through KC’s back-line or Barnhart. In another physical game Kansas City’s Shea Groom found herself the subject to several hard hits throughout the night. Including a left forearm to the face from Orlando’s stonewall in the back Toni Pressley. Groom continued runs on the defense along with Erika Tymrak, although their attacks were also kept from the back of the net.
Second half action at Swope Soccer Village showed a little more life with both sides charging at goal. Although Pride midfielder Becky Edwards played solidly throughout the night, it was her foul that lead to the first goal. With Yael Averbuch stepping up for the FC Kansas City free-kick, her shot took a deflection off of Pride’s Lianne Sanderson to put the Blues up 1-0 in the 53rd.
Kansas City showed new life after that and set on Orlando with repeated attacks. Tymrak, Groom and McCarty teamed up several times to force Bledsoe off her line and sent the Pride back-line into disarray. While the Pride had a promising start to the half, they seemed to fizzle as the game continued, showing no real threat in their attack.
The final goal of the night would come from a wide open Erika Tymrak, who sent it lower right side, past the outstretched fingers of Bledsoe in the 77th. From there FC Kansas City took solid control of the game, slowing the tempo and keeping play to Orlando’s side of the field. Both teams would pick up a yellow before the night was out, but it was Kansas City who were finally able to celebrate the win in front of a capacity crowd at home.
Remaining 9th in the standings, FC KC look for their second win June 11th as they head to Yurcak Field to face 6th place Sky Blue FC. Coverage begins at 7pm.
FC Kansas City
