KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Amy Rodriguez and Lauren Holiday scored second-half goals and FC Kansas City beat the defending champion Portland Thorns 2-0 in the National Women's Soccer League semifinals on Saturday.
Kansas City (13-7-5) avenged a 2013 semifinal loss to Portland (10-9-6), which the Thorns came back to win 3-2 in extra time.
Rodriguez gave Kansas City the lead in the 63rd minute. She received a through ball from Holiday and took one touch to elude Portland goalkeeper Nadine Angerer. Kansas City extended its lead in the 87nd minute when Holiday got behind the defense and sent Sarah Hagen's pass into the back of the net.
Portland's best scoring chance came when Veronica Boquete curled a shot off the near post in the fourth minute of stoppage time before halftime.
Kansas City will face the winner of Sunday's match between the Washington Spirit and the Seattle Reign FC for the NWSL championship on Aug. 31.