Penalty Kick Leads FC Kansas City to Victory

In their final game of the season, despite an early goal from Orlando Pride's Jasmyne Spencer, FC Kansas City manages a come-from-behind win.

The beginning of the game saw some back-and-forth play between the teams, with no real chances on a goal until the 15th minute where a deflected free kick found the boot of Spencer who shot a rocket past keeper Nicole Barnhart into the goal. The Pride would continue to look dangerous throughout the remainder of the first half, but Kansas City's defense kept them in check and prevented any more goals. In the 41st minute, FC Kansas City forward Tiffany McCarty ripped a shot from afar, only to have it sail over the crossbar.

At the start of the second half, the air had changed around the Blues, they looked like fire straight out of the gate (and not because it felt like it was 90 degrees in Orlando). In the 47th minute a shot that was deflected by Orlando's keeper, Ashlyn Harris, was sent into the back of the net by McCarty. Both teams would continue to fight for the go ahead goal until the 84th minute when FC Kansas City defender Brittany Taylor was brought down in the box. The Blues were awarded a penalty kick that was taken by midfielder Heather O'Reilly. HAO easily sent the ball past Harris putting the Blues up 2-1.

Despite a continual fight from the Pride for the rest of the game, they were unable to even the score leaving the Blues with their second come-from-behind victory in a month (and in franchise history).

Going into the 2016 season, everyone knew it would be tough for the 2015 champions because of the retirements and pregnancies that the team faced going into this year. After the last several games of the season, the Blues have proved that they have what it takes to be a winning team. With players like Amy Rodriguez and Sydney Leroux coming back into play for next season, the Blues have developed a solid foundation to be a winning team next season.