You read that right. To say it has been a humbling season for FC Kansas City might be an understatement as the Blues finally have a small breath of fresh air with their first 2016 win.
After being back-to-back NWSL champions, who would have thought that the mighty FC Kansas City would get their first win seven games into the 2016 season? Surely no one thought the reigning champions would take so long to make an impact, but they did in a 2-0 win over the newest club in the league, The Orlando Pride.
Both the Orlando Pride and FC Kansas City walked into the match without their United States international players and fans were able to see fresh faces on the pitch. While Pride fans were able to see Aubrey Bledsoe in goal for once, FC Kansas City fans saw rookie Alexa Newfield’s first career start and Tiffany McCarty’s first start for the club.
It wasn’t until into the second half that FC Kansas City even scored a goal on Saturday night at Swope Soccer Village. Yael Averbuch put the first tally on the board when Erika Tymrak was fouled by the Pride’s Becky Edwards just about 35 yards from the goal.
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Averbuch stepped up to take the free kick and after a bounce off of Orlando’s Lianne Sanderson the ball hit the back of the net good for a Kansas City goal. Later into the game, Tymrak was able to double the lead after an assist from rookie Katie Bowen found Tymrak wide open up top. Tymrak beat out the Pride’s Kaylyn Kyle and with her last touch she curled one of the best shots this season just inside the right post. This goal marked Tymrak’s first of the season.
You would think that the chance of a three-peat would be enough of an incentive for the Blues to play with a little more heart this season, but that hasn’t seemed to be the case.
There have been a lot of near misses that have resulted in the lack of production from the club, but that shouldn’t mean that fans should hang up their jerseys or count them out just yet.
It took a long, excruciating seven games, but maybe this win is and can be just enough momentum to look forward to the rest of the season. Especially with the depth in the roster showing that even with some of the big name international players gone they can pull it together for a win.
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FC Kansas City who fell from the top of the standings to the bottom was able to pull themselves out of the last place slot at ten to just above at nine. With just one win, four draws, two losses, and only five points to their name the reigning champions definitely have a lot to prove if they want to even make a playoff run this season.
The FIFA break comes this week and FC Kansas City won’t return to action until June 11 where they will travel to face Sky Blue FC. I would argue that the club needs to basically win out to remain relevant in the 2016 season.