On Mother’s Day, just under a year after giving birth to her son, forward Amy Rodriguez propelled FC Kansas City past the Washington Spirit 2-1. The lone goal for the Spirit came courtesy of forward Danesha Adams.
FC Kansas City controlled the game for the majority of the 90 minutes, while the Spirit were content to pass laterally in their defensive third. Despite dominating possession, Kansas City only had five more shots than the Spirit and both teams had four shots on goal.
The tempo and pace of the match was remarkably low. The combination of 80 degree temperatures, less than fresh legs due to a mid-week game, and national team duty made the match appear to be slowed down to half speed.
Kansas City showed their willingness to go forward early as Melissa Henderson launched a cross to Merritt Mathias, but Mathias wasn’t able to put her shot on frame. Kansas City continued to push forward in a similar fashion all game, meanwhile the Spirit looked to absorb the attack and breakaway on the counterattack.
One nervous moment for both fans of the Spirit and the U.S. Women’s National Team came when defender Becky Sauerbrunn took down defender Crystal Dunn as she neared the end of a box to box run. Play was stopped for Dunn as she walked gingerly off the field with a trainer favoring her previously sprained ankle. She returned to play the remainder of the half, but was subbed off at halftime for Yael Averbuch.
The first goal of the match came from Rodriguez at the top of the Spirit penalty box in the 36th minute. Rodriguez maneuvered around Spirit defenders Ali Krieger and Tori Huster to get just enough space to launch a high strike over the outstretched arms of Spirit keeper Ashlyn Harris.
Washington finally equalized after a wonder strike from Adams. She launched a high floating shot from 25 yards just over the head of Kansas City keeper Nicole Barnhart in the 63rd minute.
In nearly identical fashion to their game against Seattle last week, the Spirit gave up a goal just seconds after scoring. Lauren Holiday dished a pass to Rodriguez on her left. Rodriguez clinically slipped her shot past Harris to put Kansas City up 2-1.
FC Kansas City are now tied for second in the NWSL table, while the Spirit have slid to sixth.
This game could be a pivotal moment for both clubs. This win could be the boost of confidence FC Kansas City needs as they head toward a crucial away match against the league leading [dominating] Seattle Reign FC. For the Spirit, it is a matter of whether they prove they can bounce back from tough losses. Next Saturday they face the Western New York Flash, which includes Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd who is fresh off her two game suspension.
Both squads have clear weakness that need to be addressed if either hope to succeed in or even make the playoffs. Kansas City must figure out a way to more effectively convert possession into more goals and the Spirit have to be consistent defensively and not continuously give the ball away allowing teams to quickly capitalize.