Flash Prepare For Well-rested Spirit Without Some Stars
Published on June 13, 2013 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
Elma, N.Y. - Riding a five-game unbeaten streak, the Western New York Flash (4-2-2, 14 points) have catapulted into third place in the NWSL and head to Washington (1-4-3, 6 points) on Saturday for a 7 p.m. battle with the seventh-seeded Spirit.
The Flash are coming off their biggest win of the year, a 3-0 victory at Sky Blue FC who, tied with Portland, leads the NWSL with 22 points. It was the Flash's second win over the New Jersey team (7-2-1), after posting a 2-1 win in Rochester back on May 1st. In the first meeting the Flash ended Sky Blue's bid for an undefeated season, while the second victory makes the Flash the only team to post wins against Sky Blue.
More importantly, it was the first clean slate put up by the Flash in 2013, a culmination of the strong play in the defensive end over the last five games - the Flash have posted 13 of their 14 points over the span.
On Saturday the Flash, however, will be without three of their headline offensive powers as Abby Wambach, Carli Lloyd and Samantha Kerr all have National team duties. The United States will actually be kicking-off at the same time as the Flash, taking on the Korea Republic in Foxborough, MA. Kerr and the Matildas will play New Zealand on Sunday (12 a.m. ET/2 p.m. local time).
The trio posted all eight points in the victory over Sky Blue, with Wambach finding Kerr for the game's opening goal. The duo then teamed up again for the third and final score. Lloyd tallied her first goal of the year, the second of the game, on a powerful shot minutes before the first half ended.
Washington has just one win on the year, but played the Flash to a 1-1 draw in their first meeting this season. The Spirit will be without the service of Ali Krieger, who will also be with the USWNT, and Canadians Diana Matheson and Robyn Gayle who get set to face Germany on June 19th.
The Spirit recently added defender Toni Pressley, to help bolster the backline, and forward Conny Pohlers who both come to Washington after playing in Germany.
Washington has not been contested in some time, with the team's last game coming back on May 26th - nearly a three-week break. In that game the Spirit were held scoreless at Boston, 3-0, after being outshot 15-4 over the 90 minutes.
Saturday's game will be the second time the two teams square off at Maryland SoccerPlex, with Matheson and Kerr scoring goals for their respective teams in the previous 1-1 decision. Washington will come to Rochester in two weeks, facing the Flash at Sahlen's Stadium on June 28th.
Fans can watch the game on YouTube or follow live updates on the Official Flash Twitter page. To join in on the conversation, use the hashtags #WASvWNYF, #NWSL and/or #WNYF.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from June 13, 2013
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- Red Stars Drop Match to FC Kansas City 2-0 - Chicago Stars FC
- Thorns FC Weekly Update - Portland Thorns FC
- NWSL Announces 2013 National TV Schedule - Chicago Stars FC
- Flash Call Up Amateur Forward Ashley Grove - Western New York Flash
- NWSL and Fox Sports Media Group Announce 2013 National TV Schedule - Sky Blue FC
- NWSL Announces 2013 National TV Schedule - FC Kansas City
- NWSL and FOX Sports Media Group Announce 2013 National TV Schedule - Seattle Reign FC
- Flash Announce Schedule Changes Due to Televised Games - Western New York Flash
- Thorns FC Announce Upcoming Televised Matches - Portland Thorns FC
- NWSL Announces National TV Schedule - NWSL
- FC Kansas City to Take On Chicago - FC Kansas City
- Red Stars Make Roster Moves Ahead of Kansas City Series - Chicago Stars FC
- Flash Prepare For Well-rested Spirit Without Some Stars - Western New York Flash
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