This would have been a rematch if the season had gone as scheduled, but FC Kansas City and the Boston Breakers met for the first time this season on Saturday night after their first meeting was postponed. Boston created chances -- especially through Lianne Sanderson -- but FCKC’s defense was incredible in a 2-0 win.
FC Kansas City vs. Boston Breakers: Final Score 2-0, Cuellar and Cheney earn a win at home
Boston continues to struggle. They could not contend with the consistent pressure added by FCKC. Cecilia Santiago had her moments between the posts, but she was beaten by Renae Cuellar and Lauren Cheney. KC also earned their third clean sheet of the season.
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Boston GK Cecilia Santiago was tested throughout by Lauren Cheney, Renae Cuellar and Kristie Mewis, with Cuellar finding the net in the first half. The opening goal came in the 17th minute when Cuellar managed to break away from Cat Whitehill and Kia McNeill, who were slow to react to the developing attack. That enticed Santiago off her line, leaving plenty of room for Cuellar to place her strike low into the net.
Boston pressed the gas early in the first half as they tried to get back into the game. Sydney Leroux had numerous intelligent runs to link up with Sanderson and Heather O’Reilly, but the FCKC back line was defiant. Lauren Sesselmann did a nice job of defending throughout the half, holding off Leroux on a few occasions.
The possession was back and forth with no side dominating for a great length of time in the first half. However, FCKC was able to control the closing minutes of the half, with Cheney and Mewis creating a handful of half chances.
Boston’s annoyance at their failure to score showed early in the second half, as Leroux started to play more physically, checking Sessleman to the ground on one occasion. Frustrated with the lack of opportunities on goal, coach Lisa Cole subbed in Kyah Simon at the 54th minute. Simon immediately provided a spark and Boston looked more dangerous after she entered.
It wasn’t Boston’s night, however, and FC Kansas City expanded their lead not long after that substitution. In the 65th minute, Cheney got on the end of a cross by Casey Loyd and scored an unorthodox goal by chesting the ball down into the net.
Boston pressed forward late, but their attacks were defeated by FCKC. The closest Boston got to threatening the clean sheet was in the 89th minute, when Lisa Marie Woods struck a shot directly at Barnhart. In the 80th minute, FCKC encountered a setback as Sesselmann was forced to exit the field due to an ankle injury. The absence of Sesselmann did not hinder their performance as FCKC managed to keep Boston off their heels to maintain a clean sheet, despite Boston’s late efforts on set pieces.
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