Sky Blue FC (3-4-4, 13 points) returns home to try and clinch the season series with the Houston Dash (2-6-1, 7 points) Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. at Yurcak Field in Piscataway NJ.
“We are looking forward to getting back on our home field on Saturday against the Houston Dash,” said Christy Holly, Sky Blue FC head coach. “This game gives us a great opportunity to bounce back from our defeat last weekend in Portland. We have been focused on this match throughout the week, and preparation has gone very well. With the game plan that we have in place, we are very confident that we will have a positive outcome.”
Overview
The struggling Dash present a good opportunity for Holly's squad to gain a much needed 3 points to move up in the standings. Houston enters Saturday night in the midst of five consecutive 1-0 defeats. Most recently, they fell to the Orlando Pride by that score last Thursday night after Jasmyne Spencer hit the game-winner for the expansion Pride in the 92nd minute.
However, the Sky Blue have struggled at home this season, proving to be a much tougher team on the road despite last week's loss at Portland. Overall, they have been playing some of their best soccer over the last six matches and have vastly improved a woeful offense that plagued them all last season.
Even though they will be without their top player in defender/forward Kelley O'Hara, they will have the services of Australian Sam Kerr for two more weeks. Kerr, along with recently signed Leah Galton, Tasha Kai, Sarah Killion and emerging star Raquel Rodriguez give the Sky Blue plenty of firepower. Killion has developed into a solid two-way midfielder and shares the team lead in goals with Kai and Maya Hayes, each with two tallies. Stalwart Christie Rampone continues to anchor the backline. A major subplot was added today when the team announced it had signed former goalkeeper Jill Loyden to the team. Although Caroline Casey figures to get the start, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Loyden earn some minutes.
The Dash have struggled mightily this season, scoring only 6 goals on the year. They have sorely missed the fiery and dynamic Carli Lloyd who suffered a knee injury in the second game of the season. They will also be without Morgan Brian who is preparing for the Olympics with the USWNT. Either Rachel Daly (if available) or Kealia Ohai must pick up the offensive slack.
Historically, Sky Blue FC is on a six-match unbeaten run against the Dash, going 3-0-3 during that time span. However, Houston has seen some success at Yurcak Field, defeating Sky Blue FC the first time they met there in 2014 and going 1-1-2 all-time in New Jersey. Saturday night marks the second meeting of the year between these two clubs after playing to a scoreless draw at BBVA Compass Stadium back in April, so a win by either side would give it the season series.
Final Score
The Sky Blue have the superior talent in this match, however, they are at home which has not proven to be an advantage.
Final Score: Sky Blue FC 1 Houston Dash 1