Sky Blue continues to steamroll their competition in NWSL. Last week, SBFC recorded the NWSL’s biggest win. The 5-1 victory against Boston had contributions from Taylor Lytle, Danesha Adams and Lisa De Vanna, with the latter two scoring two goals apiece.
Sky Blue FC vs. Western New York Flash: Preview
On Saturday, the top team in the league will host the Flash for a third time with hopes to continue their five consecutive game winning streaks.
Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE
This score line is unlikely to be produced again due to the special circumstances of Week 8, as all Canadian and American national team members were called away. SBFC took advantage of a disorganized Boston squad that was missing their pivotal players. Competing against the Flash on Saturday will be a challenge. The last meeting between both teams resulted in Sky Blue’s first loss of the season but since then Sky Blue has produced five consecutive wins and four consecutive clean sheets.
WNYF are a scoring threat as Abby Wambach is tied with Sophie Schmidt as the top leading goalscorer in the league. The Flash are a creative side and have an abundance of great shooters such as Carli Lloyd, Samantha Kerr and McCall Zerboni, but Sky Blue’s Jim Gabarra has developed an impenetrable back line.
Caitlin Foord’s runs down the flank act as a catalyst for SBFC to create offensive plays. If Foord can connect with Kelley O’Hara or Katy Freels then the home team may record their sixth consecutive win. Freels and O’Hara are creative on the ball and find pockets to seed passes. SBFC’s top three goal scorers will be prime targets on Saturday.
The Flash defense is not as technically trained on the ball as SBFC but their physicality on the field could suppress De Vanna’s movement into the box. However, O’Hara’s quick feet and control of the ball could provide her or De Vanna with an opportunity on goal if she can penetrate the box or blast a the ball 20 yards out.
A setback could affect the overall performance of SBFC’s offense. Following O’Hara’s ankle injury in Week 7 against FCKC, it is uncertain whether she play for the home team on Saturday. If she cannot, this could disadvantage SBFC offensively. She knows how to drive the ball up the field and link up with Schmidt or De Vanna, without her creativity behind the ball the team may encounter difficulty pushing the ball forward and finding the back of the net.
Sky Blue FC Injuries
DOUBTFUL: Brittany Bock
QUESTIONABLE: Kelley O’Hara
Western New York Flash Injuries
OUT: N/A
Match Date/Time: Saturday June 8 2013 at 7:00 pm EST
Venue: Yurcak Field Stadium, Piscataway, NJ
Online: NWSL Soccer YouTube Channel
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