Houston Dash vs FC Kansas City Final Score: Dash lose lead settle for draw against FC Kansas City

A goal in Carli Lloyd's return wasn't enough as the Houston Dash finished with a tie on the road against FC Kansas City in front of a sell-out 3,557 supporters at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Mo. Both teams were at full-strength with their U.S. Women's National Team players back in action.

Lloyd launched a free kick form 25 yards out  that bounced under a diving Nicole Barnhart and into the back of the net. The 31-year-old forward seemed to be in top form, picking up from where she left off in the World Cup.

Kansas City equalized in the 55th minute after an unfortunate break resulted in an own goal. Heather O'Reilly made a run down the right flank and placed her cross into the direction of Lauren Holiday. Dash defender Toni Pressley tracked back to beat Holiday to the cross but deflected the ball past Erin McLeod.

On their heels for the latter part of the match, Erin McLeod denied Holiday in the 62nd minute with a kick-save. The Canadian keeper made another huge save in the 70th minute deflecting O'Reilly's strike over the bar.

Kansas City lead with a dominant performance in the first half capitalized in the 29th minute, Amy Rodriguez nailed the bar with a header on a cross from O'Reilly.

Both teams were at full-strength in the match with their U.S. Women's National Team players back in action.

The draw is a lost opportunity for the Dash, as the club remain in sixth place still four points back of Kansas City for the fourth and final playoff spot. With only eight games left, Houston will need to find a way to hold on to leads and close out games if their truly vying for playoff contention.

The Dash search for another opportunity to get a victory during the close out game of their two-game road trip July 25, against the Western New York Flash at Sahlen's Stadium.

Houston Dash (3-5-4; 14 points) vs. FC Kansas City (5-6-2; 18 points)

NWSL Regular Season

July 20, 2015 – Swope Soccer Village (Kansas City, Mo.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Houston Dash 1 0 1

FC Kansas City 0 1 1

Scoring Summary:

HOU: Carli Lloyd 45'

FCKC: Toni Pressley (OG) 55'

Misconduct Summary:

HOU: Ella Masar

Lineups:

Houston: Erin McLeod, Ella Masar, Ellie Brush, Toni Pressley, Meghan Klingenberg (Jessica McDonald 56'), Jordan Jackson (Nikki Cross, 81'), Morgan Brian, Carli Lloyd, Camila, Tiffany McCarty, (Melissa Henderson, 76') Kealia Ohai

FC Kansas City: Nicole Barnhart, Leigh-Ann Robinson, Amy LePeilbet, Becky Sauerbrunn, Rebecca Moros, Jen Buczowski, Mandy Laddish (Frances Silva, 81'), Lauren Holiday, Heather O’Reilly, Erika Tymrak (Liz Bogus, 87'), Amy Rodriguez (Yael Averbuch, 81')