Sky Blue FC look for a strong close to their 2016 season, while the Portland Thorns seek to claim the NWSL shield this Sunday night at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, New Jersey.

"We are very excited to close out the season in front of our hometown fans in New Jersey,” said Christy Holly, Sky Blue FC head coach. “We want to make sure that we put on a very entertaining and open-attacking game for them, which would also enable us to finish off what has been a very good season on a high note.

What might have been for the Sky Blue

After finishing near the bottom of the table last year, this year has been a pleasant surprise for the Sky Blue. Under the leadership of Christy Holly, who merits serious coach of the consideration, they improved in both goals and wins from 2015 and boast some of the league's best young talent in midfielder Sarah  Killion and forward Sam Kerr, who leads the team in goals. Killion has quietly become one of the tops middies in the NWSL while Kerr has become one of the top snipers.

Sadly, the team will again finish at the bottom of the league in attendance but do appear to be returning in 2017 which is good news for the small but very loyal fan base. Closing out the season with a win over Portland would send the team towards 2017 on a high note.

Less than two months ago it looked as if Holly had his team on the threshold of a playoff berth, but two crucial losses to Washington and Orlando killed any hopes they had. Now, with a squad brimming with bright young talents such as  Kerr, Killion, forward Leah Galton, midfielder Raquel Rodriguez, defender Erica Skroski and Kristin Grubka, they look to end the season with a three-game unbeaten streak.However, knowing how close a playoff berth was, it has to be a somewhat disappointing end, win or lose Sunday night.

Erin Simon of Sky Blue FC in action earlier this season against the Portland Thorns | Source: Craig Mitchelldyer - ISI Photos
Erin Simon of Sky Blue FC in action earlier this season against the Portland Thorns | Source: Craig Mitchelldyer - ISI Photos

Portland soaring high

With just one point separating Mark Parsons' squad and the Washington Spirit for the NWSL shield, Sunday's match is critical. Led by former Sky Blue member Nadia Nadim and her team-leading nine goals, the deep and talent Thorns can claim their first ever shield with a win and a Spirit loss or a draw against Sky Blue FC and a Spirit loss to Chicago. Portland and Washington would be level on points, but Thorns FC holds  the tiebreaker – head-to-head record – over the Spirit.

Sunday marks the second and final match between the Thorns and Sky Blue.Portland defeated Sky Blue 2-1 at Providence Park on July 2, behind goals from midfielder Dagny Brynjarsdottir in the 38th minute and the game-winning goal scored by Nadim in the 62nd minute. This will be the 11th meeting all-time between the two clubs, with Portland trailing the overall series 3-5-2. In four away matches against Sky Blue, Thorns FC has a 0-2-2 record.

Nadim, Brynjarsdottir, Tobin Heath, and Christine Sinclair are just a few stars in an array for the Thorns. Goalkeeping has been an Achilles heel for the Sky Blue, so whoever is in net for them will have to play the match of their life to keep a clean sheet against the potent Thorns attack.

Final thought

Nadim is sure to get a huge welcome from the Sky Blue fans. She has the ability to score from any angle and she can expect a heavy dose of attention from the Sky Blue defense. This match looks to be a fun, wide open game.

Sky Blue FC 2, Portland Thorns 2

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About the author
Scott Sinclair
A graduate of Penn State University, I've loved writing and sports for as long as I can remember. Currently employed as a teacher assistant, I have written for NicePick Cowher on Fansided and cover the NWSL and specifically the Sky Blue FC. I recently retired from youth soccer coaching for my daughter's team but am looking forward to cheering her on as a parent.