FC Kansas City are the 2014 NWSL Champions! A pair of goals from Amy Rodriguez were enough to put the Blues ahead in a 2-1 victory at Starfire Sports Complex on Sunday.
Seattle looked the better team for much of the first half, controlling the game and applying lots of heavy pressure. FCKC was limited to defending deep and attempting to counter. Many of these early attempts did not make it through. But in the 22nd minute a release pass found Lauren Holiday. A quick drive up the middle and a pass up to Amy Rodriguez led to the opening goal. Seattle continued to apply pressure for the rest of the half and missed a great opportunity for an equalizer that went just wide.
The beginning of the second half was a different story. Seattle appeared to be the team on the back foot as the Blues pressed for another goal. In the 56th minute, Holiday worked some magic in the box taking on three defenders before serving up a great ball to Rodriguez for her second goal. After the second goal the plan was simple, absorb pressure and counter.
The action grew more intense as both teams ran the field looking for opportunities. Seattle turned it up another notch in the final 15 minutes, but the KC defense was up to the task for most of that time. An 83rd minute goal by Megan Rapinoe gave the home team life. After a few passes in the box and a shot off the bar, the ball found its way to Rapinoe at the top of the box where she slotted it home. Seattle had several other solid chances to tie the game, but the KC defense held.
Praise has to be given to Nicole Barnhart and the entire Blues defense for the effort today. Barnhart had all but two shots in her sights the entire way. The goal and the shot off the bar were the only two balls she didn't have. Her stellar performance falls largely on the defensive effort in front of her though. Almost every shot was challenged and if the shots weren't blocked, the angles were closed down directing the ball straight towards the keeper. The amazing attacking core in Seattle was simply outplayed by the FCKC defense for most of the game.
MVP for the match has to go to Lauren Holiday for engineering the two goals. Her presence on the field, decision making, and key passes made Seattle look the counter attack. Her first assist came off a beautiful run up the middle which freed up Rodriguez. The second goal follows what might be the best play of the NWSL season. The footwork and movement in the box is among the best seen all season and the pass was placed just right for Rodriguez to one time it past Solo.