Amy Rodriguez scores twice, FC Kansas City beats Sky Blue FC 3-2 in regular-season finale

FC Kansas City coach Vlatko Andonovski has always taken pride in his team’s ability to play its best when the pressure is on, and there is no better poster child for the claim than Amy Rodriguez.

She recorded a brace for the second time in three games and led the Blues to a 3-2 victory against Sky Blue FC in the regular-season finale Wednesday at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J. She also had an assist in the match.

“It is very important for us to have Amy in top form for us right before we go into the playoffs,” Andonovski said. “In order for us to be successful, we need A-Rod to play her best game.”

The victory extended a six-game unbeaten streak, which helped catapult the Blues into third place in the National Women’s Soccer League standings and become the only team to advance to the playoffs all four years. The defending champions are 9-6-5.

“When we started the season, it was pretty obvious that we were not playing our best,” Andonovski said. “We kept saying that we had to get on a streak and get on a streak at the right time. Hopefully we can keep this streak alive.”

The Blues are set to play the Chicago Red Stars on the road in the semifinals, unless the Washington Spirit defeat Seattle Reign FC on Saturday and jump to third. Then, FC Kansas City would face Seattle in a rematch of last year’s NWSL championship game. Both semifinals will be played Sept. 13.

The Blues took an early lead in the fifth minute when Rodriguez connected with Sarah Hagen. The play was started when Heather O’Reilly collected a turnover in the middle of the field.

Sky Blue FC equalized in the 37th minute with a goal from Samantha Kerr, which broke a 415-minute shutout streak by the Blues, but Rodriguez had the answer in the 40th.

Rodriguez crossed in front of the goal and fired a shot that bounced off of goalkeeper Brittany Cameron in the 52nd minute for the brace and Kerr matched her in the 73rd minute, but Kansas City limited the damage and held on for the victory. Becca Moros recorded her first assist of the season on Rodriguez’s goal.

Rodriguez now leads the Blues with six goals and four assists in 11 games. Shea Groom ranks second with four goals.

FC Kansas City 3

Sky Blue FC 2

FC KANSAS CITY: Nicole Barnhart, Becky Sauerbrunn, Leigh Ann Robinson, Rebecca Moros, Amy LePeilbet, Heather O’Reilly, Jen Buczkowski, Amy Rodriguez (Yael Averbuch, 62nd), Lauren Holiday (Mandy Laddish, 61st), Sarah Hagen, Elizabeth Bogus (Francis Silva, 79th).

SKY BLUE FC: Cameron Brittany, Christie Rampone, Kelley O’Hara, Cami Levin, Hayley Haagsma (Shawna Gordon, 69th), Caitlin Foord, Lindsi Cutshall, Sarah Killion, Katy Freels, Samantha Kerr, Jonelle Filigno (Maya Hayes, 68th).

GOAL SCORING

FC Kansas City: 1, Hagen (Rodriguez), 4th minute; 3, Rodriguez (O'Reilly), 41st minute; 4, Rodriguez (Moros), 52nd minute. Sky Blue FC: 2, Kerr (O’Hara), 38th minute; 5, Foord (Killion), 73rd minute.

CAUTIONS

FC Kansas City: Sauerbrunn, 92nd.

Sky Blue FC: None.

RED CARDS

Washington: None.

FC Kansas City: None.

OFFICIALS

Referee: x.

Assistant referee: x.

Assistant referee: x.

4th official: x.

Announced attendance: x.

This story was originally published September 2, 2015 at 8:45 PM with the headline "Amy Rodriguez scores twice, FC Kansas City beats Sky Blue FC 3-2 in regular-season finale."