FC Kansas City was unable to contain Chicago’s offense in the second half as Ella Masar and Sonja Fuss’ goals lifted Chicago to a 3-1 victory. Kansas City remain without a point at home since week six.
FC Kansas City vs Chicago Red Stars: Final Score 1-3, Chicago makes a comeback
Athough FCKC took an early lead, Chicago had the last laugh, scoring three unanswered goals in a 3-1 victory.
Chicago didn’t have much time to find their footing before Renae Cuellar opened the scoring in the 3rd minute. The Red Stars back line failed to cover Cuellar, who ended unmarked inside the box when Courtney Jones fired in a cross. That gave her the time and space to smack an unstoppable strike past Taylor Vancil to give the hosts an early 1-0 lead.
The Red Stars were knocked off-balance by the goal and gave the home team additional chances to increase their lead early in the opening half. Gradually, however, the visitors settled down and began to take more shots on goal. The visitors break in the match came in the 28th minute off a deep run from Lori Chalupny down the flank.
Chalupny lofted a deep cross for Inka Grings into the six yard box which she headed down into the net. Chicago had leveled the game at 1-1, and the score would remain tied for the remainder of the opening half. Both sides had several opportunities to break the tie before the break but their shots were poorly placed or blocked by the keepers.
Chicago kicked off the second half aggressively, challenging for the ball at every turn and charging down the FCKC midfield. The visitors took their aggression to an almost dangerous level, causing silly fouls in the midfield with harsh tackles and body checks on the FCKC offense.
The Red Stars’ aggression off the ball was only match by their persistence on it, and thatl paid off in the 57th minute when Taryn Hemming slid a short pass to Ella Masar inside the box. Masar finished it with the tip of her boot past Bianca Henninger for a 2-1 lead. Chicago’s defense was solid, as was Vancil -- Cuellar, Casey Loyd and Melissa Henderson took shots on goal throughout the second half but couldn’t defeat the goalkeeper.
FCKC’s unsuccessful attempts frustrated the home team and that told in added time. Chicago’s defender Sonja Fuss converted a PK in the second minute of injury time after Chalupny was fouled inside the box by Nia Williams, killing off the match once and for all.
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