FC Kansas City traveled to Lisle, IL on Thursday without their American and Canadian national team players to earn a second consecutive away win with a 2-0 defeat over the Chicago Red Stars.
The visiting team wasted no time adding pressure to Chicago's half. Courtney Jones, FCKC's most dangerous player on the night, received her first start on Thursday and her contribution provided the visitors with several shots on goal before the opening goal by Casey Loyd in the 26th minute.
FCKC were awarded a penalty kick in the 25th minute when Melissa Henderson was taken down in the box by Sonja Fuss. Loyd converted the PK and FCKC were up 1-0.
Chicago was unable to respond as Kansas City defended well. FCKC mounted another attack, again involving Henderson inside the box, as Erika Tymrak slid a short pass for Henderson into the box, but Henderson's strike was blocked by Taylor Vancil's diving save.
Rory Dames added two players at halftime in Lori Chalupny and Inka Grings. Their influence provided Chicago with 15 minutes of consistent pressure in the FCKC half. Chalupny shipping a dangerous cross into the box two minutes after the break, but none of her teammates could connect. Later, Bianca Henninger was forced to make a big save in the 49th minute after Maribel Dominguez had a breakaway out of the midfield.
In the 65th minute, FCKC countered the Chicago offensive pressure and extended their lead to 2-0. Jones recorded her first goal this season after receiving a short pass from Tymrak outside the box. Jones moved towards the six yard box unmarked and used her space to bury the shot over Vancil's head.
The Red Stars developed two dangerous attempts on goal in the closing minutes but the Kansas City defense closed them down, maintaining their fifth clean sheet of the season and second consecutive win.
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