National team call-up adds to week of good news for FC Kansas City

A few silver linings have emerged for FC Kansas City this week following a 4-1 win over Sky Blue FC over the weekend.

Captain Becky Sauerbrunn was chosen to the United States women’s national team roster on Thursday, ahead of a pair of friendlies against New Zealand scheduled for Sept. 15 and Sept. 19.

That news comes on top of FCKC forward and Liberty native Shea Groom receiving National Women’s Soccer League player of the week honors on Tuesday.

Groom scored two goals and had an assist in FCKC’s victory on Sunday. She gave the team a 2-0 lead in the 44th minute, which became the decisive goal in the match. Groom was chosen as player of the week once before, in Week 13 of the 2015 season.

FC Kansas City (7-9-5) can play the role of spoiler when they host the Chicago Red Stars (10-6-5), who are third in the league standings with 35 points, at Swope Soccer Village on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Technically, the Blues’ playoff chances aren’t dead. But with only three matches remaining in the season, they are seventh in the NWSL with 26 points and one loss away from being eliminated and missing the postseason for a second straight season.

The NWSL will observe an international break from Sept. 11-22, during which time Sauerbrunn will play for national team coach Jill Ellis.

This story was originally published September 7, 2017 at 5:32 PM with the headline "National team call-up adds to week of good news for FC Kansas City."