WPS Sky Blue FC

Going to California: Sky Blue FC Heads West to Face FC Gold Pride

Published on May 1, 2009 under Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Sky Blue FC News Release


When Sky Blue FC travels to face FC Gold Pride this weekend, each team will be coming off its debut appearance on Fox Soccer Channel's WPS Sunday on FSC but with greatly contrasting outcomes.

Before sitting out this past weekend with a bye on the schedule, Sky Blue FC battled the Chicago Red Stars to a rainy 0-0 tie in Chicago two weekends ago. While the goals were scarce in Sky Blue FC's most recent outing, FC Gold Pride took part in a goal fest last Sunday. In a last minute affair, Abby Wambach of the Washington Freedom netted her second goal of the game in stoppage time to send FC Gold Pride to a 4-3 defeat in the league's highest scoring game to date.

When Sky Blue FC and FC Gold Pride meet for the second time this season on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET at Santa Clara's Buck Shaw Stadium, Sky Blue FC will be seeking to follow the Gold Pride's offensive example while the California team will be trying to maintain its scoring pace.

Sky Blue FC is aiming for its first win of the season after opening with a loss and two ties while FC Gold Pride is trying to snap a three-game winless run that includes two losses and a tie. FC Gold Pride opened the season with a 2-1 victory over the Boston Breakers.

In the first meeting between the two teams, Sky Blue FC came from behind to earn a 1-1 tie on April 11 in New Jersey. Carrie Dew opened the scoring for FC Gold Pride in the 33rd minute before Heather O'Reilly tied the game for Sky Blue FC in the 76th minute - the only goal so far this season for the New Jersey team. After a fairly even first half, Sky Blue FC carried the second half and finished the game with a 15-5 edge in shots.

For Sunday's game, Sky Blue FC will be hoping for the return of team captain and defensive leader Christie Rampone, who has been out of action with a strained hamstring since the first half of the opening game of the season. Rampone would further bolster a Sky Blue FC defense that has allowed just three goals in its three games this season.

Against the Freedom, Tiffeny Milbrett, Tiffany Weimer, and Christine Sinclair accounted for FC Gold Pride's three goals. For the season, Milbrett leads the team with two goals while Weimer is tops in scoring with the former Penn State standout accounting for one goal and three assists.

Sky Blue FC's next home match is on Sunday, May 31st at 6 p.m. ET at Yurcak Field on the campus of Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ. Bring the whole family - Sky Blue FC is offering a Family 4-Pack special offer. Get more information about Sky Blue FC tickets at www.SkyBlueStore.com.

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Women's Professional Soccer Stories from May 1, 2009


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