Tag: Soccer

KC women’s soccer team opens Challenge Cup play tonight in Portland

Kansas City returns to the National Women’s Soccer League, opening against Portland Thorns FC at 9:30 p.m. Friday in the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup.

Head coach Huw Williams has assembled a roster that boasts 19 players who moved from Utah in the offseason, including seven who originally came from FC Kansas City in 2017.

Leading the charge for the NWSL’s newest side is team captain Amy Rodriguez. A long-time veteran of the NWSL, Rodriguez was a member of FC Kansas City’s two championship rosters in 2014 and 2015. In addition to providing a scoring threat, Williams will be looking to Rodriguez to help instill the championship culture he wants to put in place.

Rookie Victoria Pickett is another player to watch in Friday’s opening match. Drafted in the second round from the University of Wisconsin, the young Canadian has been impressive throughout preseason.

“We have been impressed with Victoria since before draft, obviously,” Williams said. “She has come into camp with an open mindset and done everything we have asked her to do. She has the tools to be a great player in this league.”

Williams has preached an attacking mentality throughout the preseason, a tough task against their opening night opponent, the Portland Thorns. Although they will be without U.S. Women’s National Team Captain Becky Sauerbrunn, the Thorns defense will still be a strong force for the NWSL Fall Series champions.

Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast exclusively on Paramount+, the home of all four of Kansas City NWSL’s games during the round-robin portion of the tournament. The team will make its home debut at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 26.

Pirates, Braves duel for third at Turner tourney

Piper sophomore Ryann Clark scored on a breakaway in the first half of a match against Bonner Springs in the Turner Black and Gold Girls Soccer Invitational. Clark scored two goals in the contest, and Piper won 10-3 to take third place. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

The Turner Black and Gold Girls Soccer Invitational tournament wrapped up Wednesday evening at the new Turner District Activity Center.

Piper defeated Bonner Springs in the consolation match 10-3. Piper had seven different players score in the match, led by Ryann Clark, Ella Buff, and Sierra Montez with two goals each. Kyndell Letcher, Emma Hawley, Samantha Trumbo, and Mackenzie Jones each scored one.

In the tournament’s championship game, Shawnee Mission Northwest defeated Shawnee Mission North 7-0 to claim the title.

In the evening’s earlier contests, Raytown defeated tournament host Turner 4-1, and Sumner Academy defeated Bishop Ward 9-1.

Final tournament standings:
1st Shawnee Mission Northwest
2nd Shawnee Mission North
3rd Piper
4th Bonner Springs
5th Raytown
6th Turner
7th Sumner
8th Bishop Ward

Piper sophomore Kyndall Letcher took a shot from the edge of the penalty area, defended by Bonner Springs sophomore Gabrielle Klein. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Piper sophomore Sierra Montez headed an attempted clearance to keep it in the box. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Bonner Springs sophomore Jenna Knight took a shot on goal from the edge of the 18-yard box. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Piper freshman Ella Buff streaked toward the Bonner Springs goal. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Bonner Springs junior Mercedes Madlock leaped to intercept a pass to Ryann Clark. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Piper freshman Ella Buff tried to slip past the defense of Bonner Springs junior Mercedes Madlock. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Piper sophomore Alexis Simpson worked the ball against Bonner Springs freshman Chloe Knapp. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Turner senior Melanie Ibarra brought down a pass along the right side. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Turner freshman Anely Navidad took a shot from distance. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Sporting to start preseason matches March 13 in Arizona

Sporting Kansas City has announced four friendly matches for the 2021 preseason.

The four matches will be held in Arizona.

The preseason matches begin with Phoenix Rising FC on March 13 at the USL Championship club’s new training facility at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Arizona.

Manager Peter Vermes’ team will then face three MLS Western Conference opponents at Kino North Complex in Tucson, Arizona.

Sporting will play the Colorado Rapids on March 20, the Portland Timbers on March 24 and the LA Galaxy on April 3.

Limited fan attendance is expected because of health and safety regulations.

FC Tucson announced today that Sporting is one of five clubs participating in the 2021 Visit Tucson Sun Cup, with Colorado, LA, Phoenix and Real Salt Lake. It will be the 12th consecutive season Sporting plays preseason matches in Arizona.

Sporting started voluntary preseason training this week at Compass Minerals National Performance Center in Kansas City, Kansas. The club will travel to Arizona on Sunday for the start of a four-week preseason camp that runs March 8 to April 3.

Sporting will return to Kansas City in early April for the final two weeks of preseason preparation ahead of the 2021 MLS regular season, which is scheduled to kick off the weekend of April 17. The MLS regular season schedule will see all 27 clubs play 34 matches, and is expected to be released soon.

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