Amy Rodriguez leads FC Kansas City to 2-1 win over Sky Blue FC

Amy Rodriguez’s success with FC Kansas City so far this season has been no secret.

Even then, her ability to solve the Sky Blue defense during their three-game regular season series came as a surprise.

Rodriguez scored her third goal of the season series and led FC Kansas City to a 2-1 victory against Sky Blue FC on Sunday night at UMKC’s Durwood Stadium.

“I guess I have their number,” Rodriguez said with a laugh. “I don’t know what to say.”

Her first-half goal also helped her move back into a second place tie in the National Women’s Soccer League with 11 goals this season.

FC Kansas City had a flurry of early shots, but Sky Blue FC goalkeeper Jill Loyden was there to collect saves on three of the first four. She also had a little help from the crossbar when Erika Tymrak’s shot ricocheted off later in the half. Loyden finished with five saves on the night.

Rodriguez finally broke in the 34th minute tapping in a cross from fellow U.S. Women’s National Team member Lauren Holiday. It was Holiday’s sixth assist of the season, which tied her for the league lead.

“This week we had a big focus on finishing especially that cross that Lauren played to me to have the composure and confidence to tuck it away,” Rodriguez said. “I was very happy to put that away for the team.”

FC Kansas City took the 1-0 lead into halftime and Holiday scored a goal of her own in the second half off an assist from rookie Frances Silva in the 70th minute. It was Holiday’s eighth goal and Silva’s first assist of the season.

The goal added a bit of a cushion for the Blues who surrendered a goal to Nadia Nadim in the 87th minute.

“I feel like we get a little complacent so we need to work on finishing off the game completely, but I think we started well,” Holiday said.

Ultimately the Blues held on for the victory and defended its second place ranking in the NWSL standings where it trails only Seattle Reign FC with four games left in the regular season. The Blues also improved their home ledger to 7-0-3.

This story was originally published July 27, 2014 at 7:13 PM with the headline "Amy Rodriguez leads FC Kansas City to 2-1 win over Sky Blue FC."