FC Kansas City Defeat the Spirit 3-0, For a Much Needed Win
Fourth of July Weekend is a perfect time for soccer, FC Kansas City (4-5-2, 15 points) defeated the Washington Spirit (5-4-2, 17 points) to secure its first win in five games. FC Kansas City displayed a strong performance in its home win with goals from Yael Averbuch, Shea Groom, and Liz Bogus.
For the first ten minutes, FC Kansas City applied high pressure in the defensive third of the Spirit, creating numerous opportunities on net. The first real chance came in the 27th minute after Spirit defender Estelle Johnson fouled Groom right outside the box. Averbuch, with a quality free kick on goal, shot over the wall and into the back of the net. Goalkeeper Kelsey Wys didn’t have a chance. FC Kansas City led in the 27th minute, 1-0.
Ten minutes later, the Spirit looked to attack with Joanna Lohman cutting into the box and taking the ball past her defender, but she hit the post. The Washington Spirit went into the locker room down 1-0.
The second half started with both teams attacking, but the offense of FC Kansas City was exploding. In the 53rd minute, good passing through the midfield from Bogus to Frances Silva led to a goal by Groom, her third of the season.
Washington Spirit kept the pressure high after Groom’s goal with runs on the outside. Laura del Rio, with a great run down the side line, crossed the ball in the 55th minute, but the ball went wide of the attacking Spirit players.
FC Kansas City added insurance in the 65th minute with a cross from Leigh Ann Robinson to Bogus who tapped the ball into the back of the net. FC Kansas City led at home 3-0.
A last second chance came in the 87th minute when Tiffany Weimer beat her defender to the near post and played a perfectly weighted ball to Tori Huster, but the backline of FC Kansas City blocked the shot, securing the clean sheet and the 3-0 win.
The Washington Spirit have its first bye-week of the 2015 NWSL season this upcoming week and return home on Saturday July 18th at 7:00 pm ET for the first of three consecutive home games.
