Lauren Holiday scored two penalty kicks to lift FC Kansas City past Boston. (Photo Copyright Erica McCaulley for The Equalizer)
A pair of Lauren Holiday penalty kick goals lifted FC Kansas City past the last-place Boston Breakers, 2-0, on Saturday at Durwood Stadium.
Amy Rodriguez earned the first penalty kick in the 13th minute when she was brought down at the top corner of the box by Breakers defender Julie King. Holiday stepped up to finish the penalty kick.
Holiday scored her second goal of the game from the spot and her fifth goal of the season in the 35th minute after Jazmyne Avant was deemed to have brought down Erika Tymrak in the box. Replays showed what looked like a dive from the FC Kansas City midfielder, but Holiday stepped up for the finish, regardless.
Rodriguez was twice denied by Breakers goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher on a stoppage time breakaway.
Heather O’Reilly was active throughout the first half for the Breakers, but was often left with few supporting options up top. Her 32nd minute header of Lianne Sanderson’s corner kick forced a diving save from FC Kansas City goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart. It was Boston’s most clear opportunity of the match.
King’s header of an 82nd minute Sanderson corner kick was cleared off the line by Kansas City midfielder Merritt Mathias.
FC Kansas City (6-4-3, 21 pts.) moves into second place in the NWSL with the win, though the Blues have played more games than any other team in the league. Boston (2-8-0, 6 pts.) returns home on Wednesday to host the Washington Spirit.
