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All the news you may have missed over the last few weeks for FC Kansas City including a win, a draw, an award winner and a heartfelt update from a former player.
You Win Some You Draw Some
On Saturday FCKC went on the road to face the Washington Spirit. The game may have been more famous for the NWSL debut of Mallory Pugh but an important thing happen. FC Kansas City won their first road game! The game winning goal was scored by Alexa Newfield.
“The goal was the first in Newfield’s professional career and it ended a 135-minute goalless streak for the Blues.”
The prior weekend didn’t go quite as well, but it could have been far worse. The defending NWSL Shield winners the Portland Thorns came to KC and couldn’t put a goal in the back of the net (though neither could FCKC). After the last two weeks the Blues are right on the cusp of a playoff spot.
A Deeper Dive into those Games
Equalizer Soccer does a great job covering women’s soccer and the NWSL in particular. Their reoccurring piece, Three Things, turns it’s focus to FCKC this week. One of those things was rookie Christina “Gibby” Gibbons. Becky Sauerbrunn had this to say:
“Tonight she played against one of paceist forwards in the league and she’s just so savvy with how she uses her body. She can play herself out of pressure. She’s coming…it’s been like she’s been playing with the team forever….She fits in so well with the rest of us, and it’s been an absolute pleasure to play with her and I see her, you know, National Team everything in the future. I think she’s got a really long, bright future ahead of her.”
Ashley Scoby also gave equal coverage to the draw against Portland which is worth checking out as well.
Lauren Holiday’s First Mother’s Day
As most of you know, Holiday has been dealing with a brain tumor while pregnant with her first child. Her child has been born and a successful surgery followed. Through this Holiday has remained relatively quiet despite being in such a high profile position (and being married to NBA player Jrue Holiday). She broke that silence for Mother’s Day. I won’t try to comment on it but it’s good to see Lauren back. Here is here instagram post and full transcript.
“I have been hiding myself from a camera for the past 7 months. I didn't want anyone to see my paralyzed face, my eye that is now crossed, the bald spots from radiation & my half shaved head. Granted you can't see any of those things in this picture, just a patch...it's a huge step. Today reminded me just how incredibly strong women are. The resilience of our bodies, the power of our minds, the ability to put other humans fully before ourselves, our compassionate hearts but most of all our undying love for our families, our friends and our precious babies. I went through the day admiring women at church, at lunch and those just walking down the street. I am so proud to be a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a wife and most of all a mother. Happy Mother's Day to all the Mamas, Mamas-to-be and future mamas! You are beautiful. You are ridiculously strong. But most of all you are loved. So very loved. ❤️”
Becky Sauerbrunn Awarded Again
If Sauerbrunn knows one thing it’s how to play defense. If she knows two things it is how to play defense well enough to be award. While this news is late coming Becky was named to the NWSL Team of the Month for April. She is the only member of FCKC to win the award and it likely won’t be her last of the season.
NWSL Players Association Announced
Last week the non-allocated players from the NWSL announced the formation of a Player’s Association. NWSL minimum salaries have steadily risen over the last few years but are still very low (just $15,000 for a six-month season). It should be noted the NWSL has raised salaries much quicker than MLS but hopefully this new union keeps that steady growth up.