FC Kansas City suffers first loss of the season

For the second straight game the Blues were held to just one goal despite having several opportunities.

This time it resulted in a 3-1 loss to the Washington Spirit at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md. It was the first loss of the season for FC Kansas City which dropped to 0-1-1. Washington improved to 1-1-0.

“It seems like just playing nice and keeping the ball is not enough, ultimately we have to put the ball into the net,” FC Kansas City coach Vlatko Andonovski said. “We created great opportunities and got a PK, but it seems like things didn’t work for us again.”

FC Kansas City had 17 shots including eight on goal while holding Washington to seven shots with six on goal. The Blues also had nine corner kicks while Washington had none.

FC Kansas City fell behind early when Diana Matheson scored the first goal of the game in the 4th minute. FC Kansas City had a chance to tie the game on a penalty kick in the 7th minute, but Lauren Holiday was unable to convert.

The Blues’ Amy Rodriguez had a shot blocked but knocked in the rebound in the 29th minute. It was the second goal for Rodriguez who has been the only scorer in the first two games for FCKC.

But moments later Washington’s Matheson added another goal on an assist from Crystal Dunn, who was the top pick in the National Women’s Soccer League College Draft. That gave the Spirit the lead for good in the 38th minute. Matheson scored on both shots she had in the game.

“She played very well,” Andonovski said. “She found those pockets where she can be dangerous and of course scored a beautiful goal.”

Christine Nairn added the final Washington goal in the 45th minute.

This story was originally published April 19, 2014 at 9:15 PM with the headline "FC Kansas City suffers first loss of the season."