Thanks to a brace from Amy Rodriguez, FC Kansas City beat the Chicago Red Stars 3-0 to advance to the NWSL title game.
However, it was Chicago that nearly got off to the quick start. Captain Lori Chalupny played star striker Christen Press in on goal, but her shot went just over the bar. It would have been another great goal for Chicago's leading scorer. It seemed like Chicago had all the momentum at the beginning. Yet, that all changed when Lauren Holiday stripped goalie Michele Dalton and slid the ball over to Amy Rodriguez. The World Cup winner didn't miss the open net and Kansas City were up 1-0 on the road.
Things went from bad to worse for the Red Stars when Heather O'Reilly found herself with space near the box and slid the ball over to Erika Tymrak, who found herself with no defenders near her. Tymrak rifled the ball into the net and just like that the lead was doubled for FCKC.
Rodriguez showed her class once again when she went on a wonderful run around Chicago defenders into the box. One on one with Dalton, Rodriguez rounded the Red Stars goalie and slid it into the net for the 3-0 lead in the 25th minute and it seemed like that was the goal that broke Chicago's back.
Christen Press had the best chance for the Red Stars moments later as she tried a cheeky chip from the edge of the box. Unfortunately for Chicago, the ball sailed and rang off the crossbar and the score at the half was 3-0 Kansas City.
Chicago came out gunning in the second half, but with 11 players behind the ball for Kansas City, quality chances were hard to come by.
Chicago hit the woodwork again when Sofia Huerta recieved a pass from Christen Press and tried to curl one into the upper 90 of the goal. It took a great effort from Nicole Barnhart as he tipped the ball off the bar and she later added another great save when Huerta tried to hit the opposite corner and Barnhart pushed the ball around the outside of the post.
FCKC caught Chicago on the break in the 81st minute. Rodriguez again found herself one on one with Dalton and again she rounded the goalie. But, as soon as she shot the ball on goal, Dalton sprung and blocked the goal with her body to deny Rodriguez a hat trick.
Lori Chalupny had the final chance for Chicago in the closing stages as her long range effort had to be tipped over by another great save from Barnhart.
It was FCKC's day as they beat Chicago 3-0 to advance to the title game.
As for Chicago, they had their most successful season in NWSL history and will look to be title contenders again next season.