FC Kansas City feeling effects of tough May schedule

FC Kansas City is nearing the end of its exhausting stretch of nine games in 30 days, and the effects are showing.

The women’s soccer team has not had more than three days off in a row since late April and the injuries are racking up, but the good news is that in this stretch the Blues have maintained a 3-3 record. They are 3-4-1 overall and will have two games at home this week with a chance to get above .500. In the first, they will face the Houston Dash at 5 p.m. Sunday at UMKC’s Durwood Stadium.

FC Kansas City is coming off a 3-2 loss to top-ranked and undefeated Seattle Reign FC. The Blues fell behind 2-0, but rallied back before giving up a late goal to Keelin Winters in the 76th minute. They were the first team to score more than a goal against Seattle, which is now 7-0.

“Right now, we aren’t just fighting the other team,” FC Kansas City coach Vlatko Andonovski said. “We are fighting the frustration, the flights and the schedule. We are also battling injuries, but because of all of that I can say that we showed a lot of character.”

According to the National Women’s Soccer League injury report, the Blues will line up without Kassey Kallman, and Morgan Marlborough is questionable. Liz Bogus and Erika Tymrak, who split time in the Seattle match, are listed as probable with Melissa Henderson.

Tymrak was one of four players that scored in FC Kansas City’s first matchup with the Dash on May 3. She was joined by Liz Bogus, Amy Rodriguez and Frances Silva as the Blues cruised to a 4-0 victory. It was the highest scoring game of the season for the Blues and it was the second shutout for 2013 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year Nicole Barnhart.

This story was originally published May 17, 2014 at 11:01 PM with the headline "FC Kansas City feeling effects of tough May schedule."