In a Flash: WNY vs. FC Kansas City
May 11, 2013 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
The Matchup: The Western New York Flash aim to start its first win streak, facing FC Kansas City in its third home game this season. The two teams have never met before, as this is Kansas City's first season of play after being selected as one of eight teams for the NWSL.
Today will also be the NBC Sports ProSoccerTalk NWSL Game of the Week.
Where to Watch: The Flash and all participating NWSL teams will stream games live on the Internet throughout the 2013 season. Flash fans can find today's game video by clicking the link above.
Fans can join the conversation by following the official Flash Twitter account (above) and by using the designated hashtags for the game: #WNYF, #WNYFvFCKC, #NWSL
Carli Gets Cleared: U.S. Women's National Team and Flash midfielder Carli Lloyd has been cleared for contact play and joined WNY this week. Lloyd joined the team for her first practice on Friday and will be in uniform for today's game.
Lloyd will also be interviewed on the field at the start of the halftime break.
Huffy's Here Too: Sarah Huffman will also suit up for her first game with the Flash today. Huffman has been out up until this point with a knee injury and will add another dimension to the Flash's midfield.
Another Undefeated Opponent: FC Kansas City comes to Sahlen's Stadium undefeated, making them the second-straight opponent the Flash will face without a
� blemish. In their last game, the Flash handed Sky Blue FC its first loss of the year and will look to do the same to Kansas City on Saturday night.
Headed Home: After having their two opening games on the road, the Flash will return to Sahlen's Stadium for a four-game home stand. After today's game with FC Kansas City, the Flash will finish the home streak with a 7:05 p.m. contest with the Chicago Red Stars on Friday, May 24th. Tickets are still available for all home games and can be purchased online or by calling the Sahlen's Stadium box office at (585) 454-KICK.
The Quest for Four: This season, the Flash will aim for its fourth title, this time in the newly formed NWSL. The Flash are back-to-back-to-back Champions, winning three different championships in the three different leagues since 2010.
In that year, the then-Buffalo Flash went undefeated in the W-League, defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 to take the league crown. The following season, the WNY Flash won the WPS Championship in their first year as a member of the league. The Flash claimed the crown on penalty kicks in front of a league-record crowd. It took penalty kicks again for the team to win its third, coming away with a 2-1 victory over the NY Fury in the WPSL-Elite last year.
Game Four Recap: The Flash gave Sky Blue FC its first loss of the year on goals from Adriana Martin and Abby Wambach - the first of the season for both forwards - in a 2-1 decision on May 1st. The two scores were set up on crosses from Samantha Kerr, who was credited with an assist on Adriana's score at the near post. Wambach netted the game winner when Christie Rampone failed the clear the Kerr cross, falling at the feet of Wambach for the easy tally.
Sky Blue added its lone goal near the end of the first half making it 2-1, but the Flash defense held strong and made some big plays in the final minutes to take the win.
The Kit: The Flash announced that Sahlen Packing Co. would serve as the team's official jersey sponsor for the 2013 season. Joe Sahlen, owner of the Buffalo-based packaging company, started the Flash in 2008 and the Sahlen's family has been tied to the team ever since. Sahlen Sports Park in Elma serves as the official practice facility of the Flash, while the team will play home contests in Rochester at Sahlen's Stadium.
Third Time's a Charm? After the folding of the WUSA and the WPS, the NWSL will look to create a sustaining women's professional soccer league. The NWSL is backed by US Soccer, the Canadian Soccer Association and the Mexican Football Federation.
All teams were allocated players from the respective countries and rosters were then filled out through drafts and free agent signings.
There are eight clubs competing in the league. They are: the Boston Breakers, the Chicago Red Stars, FC Kansas City, Portland Thorns FC, Seattle Reign FC, Sky Blue FC, the Washington Spirit and the Western New York Flash.
Next Game: The Western New York Flash will complete its four-game home stand on Friday, May 24th when it hosts the Chicago Red Stars at 7:05 p.m.
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National Women's Soccer League Stories from May 11, 2013
- Reign FC falls 0-2 at Sky Blue FC - Seattle Reign FC
- Flash Win Second in a Row; Beat Undefeated FC Kansas City - Western New York Flash
- FC Kansas City Suffers First Defeat - FC Kansas City
- SBFC Reigns over Seattle - Sky Blue FC
- SBFC Reigns over Seattle - Sky Blue FC
- Seattle Reign FC Faces Sky Blue FC Tonight in New Jersey - Seattle Reign FC
- In a Flash: WNY vs. FC Kansas City - Western New York Flash
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