Kansas City, MO- FC Kansas City hosted the Orlando Pride in Week 5 of the NWSL season at Children’s Mercy Victory Field.
Early in the match the Pride faced problems when defender Monica was injured and Dani Weatherholt had to be quickly subbed in. Throughout the first half international forward Marta kept up the pressure on Kansas City goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart, who stood her ground at the back of the net.
In the 22nd minute, Marta came from the left side to cross the ball past two Kansas City defenders, but Danica Evans was unable to complete the pass and it was easily scooped up by Barnhart.
Kansas City forward Brittany Ratcliffe had several opportunities and put solid pressure on the Pride defense. However in the 27th minute it Marta once more, forcing Barnhart to come out of the box and doing everything in her power to keep the ball in, but still no goal. Ratcliffe would try again, sending a cross to the center to get a shot before the half, but no one was there to finish the shot. Even with two minutes of stoppage time added, the score remained 0-0 at the half.
Coming into the second half Kansas City had more possession, but couldn’t take advantage to get a goal. KC midfielder Lo’eau Labonta took a shot, which rebounded to Sydney Leroux, who took another shot. Each was saved by Orlando keeper Ashlyn Harris. Both saves were remarkable feats and deserve a look for Save of the Week. The breakthrough goal finally came in the 73rd minute when Kristen Edmonds found Marta who took the shot from the right, which Barnhart wasn’t able to save. This goal marked Marta’s first NWSL goal.
The Pride continued to play strong as Ali Krieger crossed to Edmonds in the box, who found Marta whose shot was just wide of the goal. In the 84th minute, Yael Averbuch from Kansas City took the free kick that would tie the game. With players flocking to the goal, it would be Erika Tymrak who finally got a shot off that reached the back of the net. Tymrak’s goal was the first goal since Amy Rodriguez scored in Week 1 of the season. Both teams fought to finish on top in the last five minutes of stoppage time, yet neither could break the tie, with the final score being 1-1 .
Kansas City now stands in ninth place, holding a 1-2-1 record while the Pride are 0-2-2 in tenth place.
SCORING SUMMARY:
ORL- Marta Vieria Da Silva 73′
KC- Erika Tymrak 84′
BOOKING SUMMARY:
KC- Sydney Leroux issued a yellow card 46′
ORL- Maddy Evans issued a yellow card 60′
FC KANSAS CITY: #18 Nicole Barnhart; #31 Christina Gibbons, #10 Yale Averbuch, #4 Becky Sauerbrunn, #13 Brittany Taylor, #11 Desiree Scott, #9 Lo Labonta, #25 Brittany Ratcliffe (#88 Alexa Newfield 71), #6 Katie Bowen (#15 Erika Tymrak 64), #2 Shea Groom (#44Maegan Kelly 83), #14 Sydney Leroux
Subs not used: #3 Becca Moros, #22 Brianne Reed, #19 Cat Parkhill, #21Caroline Flynn
ORLANDO PRIDE: #24-Ashlynn Harris; #7 Steph Catley, #3 Toni Pressley, #14 Alanna Kennedy, #11 Ali Krieger, #21 Monica Hickman Alves (#17 Dan Weatherholt 4), #18 Maddy Evasn (#4 Jamia Fields 82), #12 Kristen Edmonds, #10 Marta Vieria Da Silva, #8 Danica Evans (#23 Jasmine Spencer 64), #9 Camila Martins Pereira
Subs not used: #5 Laura Alleway, #19 Aubrey Bledsoe, #6 Chioma Ubogagu, #20 Nickolette Driesse
TOTAL SHOTS: KC 11-10 ORL
SHOTS ON GOAL: KC 3-5 ORL
FOULS: KC 7-14 ORL
OFFSIDES: KC 2-0 ORL
CORNER KICKS: KC 4-5 ORL
SAVES: KC 4-2 ORL
FC Kansas City
