Going into the fifth week, FC Kansas City were the sole side to have only conceded one goal. That changed after they met the Western New York Flash, who stole their bragging rights plus all three points. The stream of play was fragmented for FCKC in the first half as they sat deep in their half frequently giving the Flash room to push players into the box. The passive style of defending resulted in Abby Wambach finding the back of the net twice, the USA star notching in the 34th and 39th minute. FCKC’s Lauren Cheney made an advance to threaten the Flash lead in the 53rd minute but her lone contribution to the scoreboard was not enough to deny the Flash three points as they came away 2-1 winners.
Western New York Flash vs FC Kansas City Final Score 2-1, Wambach-Lloyd promises bright WNYF future
An Abby Wambach brace earned WNYF a victory at home to Kansas City
The Flash midfield played extremely quickly, making it difficult for Desiree Scott and Kristie Mewis to dispossess them. FCKC were less fortunate, as a turnover just after the half-hour mark proved decisive. Renae Cuellar was dispossessed outside the 18, and the hosts quickly counterattacked. Less than a minute later Abby Wambach had opened the scoring after a cross from Brittany Taylor resulted in a loose ball for Wambach to blast past Nicole Barnhart.
FCKC attempted to find the equalizer, and came close through a 20 yard strike by Mewis that hit the crossbar, the headed rebound scooped up by AD Franch. But five short minutes later, they’d conceded again, gifting Wambach her second goal of the night.
An odd chain of events led to the goal. Scott couldn’t contain a pass from Farelly which was picked up by the Flash and sent to Samantha Kerr only for the forward to be dispossessed by Leigh-Ann Robinson. Robinson’s poor clearance to Sesselmann resulted in Wambachgetting possession from close, and from there she’d score the winning goal.
FCKC tried to claw their way back into the match, but they were well-marshalled by the Flash defense. They did manage to halve the deficit in the 52nd minute off a Lauren Cheney header, but couldn’t find much motivation after their lone goal continuing to allow the Flash time on the ball -- especially after Carli Lloyd was subbed on in the 64th minute.
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