Kansas City NWSL Plays Tough in Challenge Cup Debut

PORTLAND, Ore. (April 9, 2021) – In an emotional night that marked Kansas City’s return to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) against the 2020 Fall Series Champion Portland Thorns FC, Kansas City fell just short of victory. Forward Amy Rodriguez scored the team’s first goal in the 60th minute. Unfortunately Portland had already tallied two scores from Raquel Rodriguez and Tyler Lussi. 

Only 124 days since being announced as the newest team in the NWSL, Kansas City kicked off in a meaningful game for the first time on Friday night. Williams warned his team that the Thorns would be pressing early and he was proven right early in the game. In the 8th minute, Portland captain Meghan Klingenberg launched a cross from a free kick 30 yards from goal that found the head of Raquel ‘Rocky’ Rodriguez who put the home side up 1-0 early.

Kansas City saw themselves on the attack through many points of the first half. In the 21st minute Michele Vasconcelos capped off a three-minute flurry of action with a close-range shot that Portland goalkeeper Adrianna Franch was able to grab onto and keep KC off the board.

After giving up an early goal, Kansas City’s defense stood strong through the rest of the opening half. Center backs Kate Del Fava and Rachel Corsie were able to clean up just about any attack the Thorns threw at them.

The second half saw Kansas City once again on the defensive as Portland began to throw deep crosses into the penalty box. In the 58th minute Tyler Lussi was able to put her head onto one of the crosses and put the Thorns up 2-0.

Forward and team captain Amy Rodriguez rallied her side following the goal and led her team towards the Portland defense immediately off the kickoff. After a ball bounced outside to Brittany Ratcliffe, she was able to send a pass into the penalty area where midfielder Victoria Pickett got just enough of a touch onto it that Rodriguez could find it and tap the ball over the outstretched hands of the Thorns goalkeeper for the first goal in team history.

There were several late dramatics as Kansas City tried for the equalizer. Two yellow cards and three red cards were issued in the 90th minute or later. First Portland Simone Charley was shown her second yellow card of the match in the 90th minute for a reckless tackle. Then Kansas City’s Kristen Edmonds and Portland’s Morgan Weaver were shown straight red cards for their extra-curricular activities along the sidelines.

Kansas City now turns its sights to the Chicago, where they will travel to face the Chicago Red Stars on Tuesday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. CT. The team will make their debut at home against the Houston Dash on Monday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. CT. For season ticket information visit kansascitycurrent.com

NWSL Match Report
Match: Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City NWSL
Date: April 9, 2021
Venue: Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Kickoff: 7:38 p.m. PT, 9:38 p.m. CT, 10:38 p.m. ET
Weather: 48 degrees, clear

Discipline
48’ KC V. Pickett (Yellow)
49’ POR Charley (Yellow)
90’ POR Charley (RED, 2nd Yellow)
90’+1 KC Del Fava (Yellow)
90’+4 KC Edmonds (RED)
90’+4 POR Weaver (RED)

Scoring
8’ POR Rodriguez (Klingenberg)
58’ POR Lussi (Westphal)
60’ KC Rodriguez (V. Pickett)

Scoring Summary
Goals                           1  2  F
Portland Thorns FC   1   1   2
Kansas City                  0  1   1

Lineups:
Portland Thorns FC: Franch, Westphal, Kuikka, Hubly, Pogarch, Rodriguez, Boureille, Klingenberg (c) (Salem 73’), Everett (Weaver 67’), Charley, Lussi

Substitutes Not Used: Bixby, Nally, Hogan, Menger, Angerer, Persaud, Fitzgerald

Kansas City: Smith, Edmonds, Corsie, Del Fava, Maemone (Leach 90’+4), Pickett, Vincent, Nolf (Miramontez 85’), Vasconcelos, Rodriguez, Ratcliffe (Strom-Okimoto 63’)

Substitutes Not Used: Nick, Bowen, LaBonta, Barnhart, , McCain

PORTLAND, Ore. (April 9, 2021) – In an emotional night that marked Kansas City’s return to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) against the 2020 Fall Series Champion Portland Thorns FC, Kansas City fell just short of victory. Forward Amy Rodriguez scored the team’s first goal in the 60th minute. Unfortunately Portland had already tallied two scores from Raquel Rodriguez and Tyler Lussi. 

Only 124 days since being announced as the newest team in the NWSL, Kansas City kicked off in a meaningful game for the first time on Friday night. Williams warned his team that the Thorns would be pressing early and he was proven right early in the game. In the 8th minute, Portland captain Meghan Klingenberg launched a cross from a free kick 30 yards from goal that found the head of Raquel ‘Rocky’ Rodriguez who put the home side up 1-0 early.

Kansas City saw themselves on the attack through many points of the first half. In the 21st minute Michele Vasconcelos capped off a three-minute flurry of action with a close-range shot that Portland goalkeeper Adrianna Franch was able to grab onto and keep KC off the board.

After giving up an early goal, Kansas City’s defense stood strong through the rest of the opening half. Center backs Kate Del Fava and Rachel Corsie were able to clean up just about any attack the Thorns threw at them.

The second half saw Kansas City once again on the defensive as Portland began to throw deep crosses into the penalty box. In the 58th minute Tyler Lussi was able to put her head onto one of the crosses and put the Thorns up 2-0.

Forward and team captain Amy Rodriguez rallied her side following the goal and led her team towards the Portland defense immediately off the kickoff. After a ball bounced outside to Brittany Ratcliffe, she was able to send a pass into the penalty area where midfielder Victoria Pickett got just enough of a touch onto it that Rodriguez could find it and tap the ball over the outstretched hands of the Thorns goalkeeper for the first goal in team history.

There were several late dramatics as Kansas City tried for the equalizer. Two yellow cards and three red cards were issued in the 90th minute or later. First Portland Simone Charley was shown her second yellow card of the match in the 90th minute for a reckless tackle. Then Kansas City’s Kristen Edmonds and Portland’s Morgan Weaver were shown straight red cards for their extra-curricular activities along the sidelines.

Kansas City now turns its sights to the Chicago, where they will travel to face the Chicago Red Stars on Tuesday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. CT. The team will make their debut at home against the Houston Dash on Monday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. CT. For season ticket information visit kansascitycurrent.com

NWSL Match Report
Match: Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City NWSL
Date: April 9, 2021
Venue: Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Kickoff: 7:38 p.m. PT, 9:38 p.m. CT, 10:38 p.m. ET
Weather: 48 degrees, clear

Discipline
48’ KC V. Pickett (Yellow)
49’ POR Charley (Yellow)
90’ POR Charley (RED, 2nd Yellow)
90’+1 KC Del Fava (Yellow)
90’+4 KC Edmonds (RED)
90’+4 POR Weaver (RED)

Scoring
8’ POR Rodriguez (Klingenberg)
58’ POR Lussi (Westphal)
60’ KC Rodriguez (V. Pickett)

Scoring Summary
Goals                           1  2  F
Portland Thorns FC   1   1   2
Kansas City                  0  1   1

Lineups:
Portland Thorns FC: Franch, Westphal, Kuikka, Hubly, Pogarch, Rodriguez, Boureille, Klingenberg (c) (Salem 73’), Everett (Weaver 67’), Charley, Lussi

Substitutes Not Used: Bixby, Nally, Hogan, Menger, Angerer, Persaud, Fitzgerald

Kansas City: Smith, Edmonds, Corsie, Del Fava, Maemone (Leach 90’+4), Pickett, Vincent, Nolf (Miramontez 85’), Vasconcelos, Rodriguez, Ratcliffe (Strom-Okimoto 63’)

Substitutes Not Used: Nick, Bowen, LaBonta, Barnhart, , McCain