FC Kansas City and the Chicago Red Stars battled to a scoreless draw in front of 2,217 fans at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City on Friday night.
It was FC Kansas City midfielder Jen Buczkowski’s final match, as she announced her retirement last week and will begin physical therapy school on June 1. Buczkowski was signed as a free agent by Kansas City in 2013 and started every match her club ever played — 71 regular season matches and five matches in the playoffs — winning two NWSL Championships along the way.
FC Kansas City coach Vlatko Andonovski is presenting midfielder Jen Buczkowski with flowers to celebrate her final game. #ByBucz #KCvsCHI
— FC Kansas City (@FCKansasCity) May 14, 2016
Buczkowski had the best chance of the first half for Kansas City, a shot in the 17th minute that was headed for the top left corner of the Red Stars’ goal before Alyssa Naeher tipped it off the post to keep it out.
The Red Stars turned up the pressure in the second half with a number of chances of their own after the restart, but could not find the back of the net. On the other end of the field, Naeher made several saves to keep the game scoreless, including a spectacular kick save in the 74th minute on a diving header by KC’s Shea Groom.
Defending NWSL champions FC Kansas City are now winless through five matches this season, and have scored only two goals. They have two points, while the Red Stars have 10.
Next up for FC Kansas City is a trip to Boston to face the Breakers next Sunday, May 22, while the Chicago Red Stars will travel to play Seattle Reign FC on May 22.
