KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Sky Blue FC surrendered two goals within two minutes late in the first half and could never recovered as it dropped a 4-1 National Women’s Soccer League decision to FC Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Victory Field Sunday night.

Shea Groom scored twice, one on each side of halftime before a crowd of 1,571.

The Jersey side fell to 9-10-2 and remained at 29 points while FC Kansas improved to 7-9-5 and 26 points.

Sam Kerr, the league scoring leader, did not find the net.

FC Kansas City broke the deadlock, hitting a go-ahead tally in the 42nd minute. Groom broke free with possession running towards goal, playing the ball Lo’eau LaBonta as she overlapped her left side. Sky Blue FC goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan stretched out in an attempt to collect the feed, but LaBonta finished it before Sheridan could.

In the 44th minute, FC Kansas City extended its lead to 2-0. On a play that started with a Barnhart goal kick, LaBonta volleyed a ball that landed for a racing Groom. Groom struck a right-footed shot into the back of the net.

FC Kansas City stretched its advantage to 3-0 in the 64th minute. Desiree Scott chipped a ball from the left side of the penalty area that found Groom, who took a shot on frame. Sheridan saved the attemped, but Groom was collected the rebound for a three-goal lead.

Sky Blue FC pulled one back in the 83rd minute. Taylor Lytle delivered a corner kick that found the head of Madison Tiernan, who redirected the ball past Barnhart.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, FC Kansas City recorded its fourth goal as Maegen Kelly made a quick start of a free kick opportunity. She played the restart to Sydney Leroux, who sped towards goal before finishing the late opportunity.

Sky Blue FC returns home to host the Washington Spirit at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J. Sunday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.