In a Flash: WNY at Chicago
Published on June 19, 2013 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
The Matchup: The Western New York Flash end a four-game road trip with a weekday contest at the Chicago Red Stars. The two teams met earlier this season, with the Flash coming away with a 2-1 win at Sahlen's Stadium. The Red Stars were the first to strike in that game, but fueled by two assists from center back Brittany Taylor, the Flash came away with the win. Abby Wambach scored first on a lofty pass from Taylor, followed by a header goal from McCall Zerboni that proved to be the game winner.
Now riding a six-game unbeaten streak, that victory marked the third point-producing game of the span.
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, #CRSvWNYF, #NWSL
Where We Stand: Compiling 16 of their 17 points over their current six-game undefeated run, the Flash currently sit in third place in the NWSL, just one point ahead of FC Kansas City. Chicago is also streaking as of late, racking up nine of 11 points over the last four games. The Red Stars are currently in sixth place, trailing Boston by a single point.
Flash Firing on All Cylinders: As mentioned, the Flash have posted five wins and one draw over their last six games, having not lost a game since April 27th. In its last two games, the Flash have shutout both opponents with a 3-0 win at Sky Blue and a 2-0 win at Washington. Over the six games, the Flash are outscoring opponents 13-5 and have not allowed a goal since the 64th minute of June 5th's 2-2 draw at Boston.
National Team Duties: On Wednesday night, the Flash will be without a handful of players who are currently serving national team duties. Both Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd are currently with the U.S. Women's National Team, who play South Korea at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at Red Bull Arena. Also absent from the Flash line-up will be Jodi-Ann Robinson who received a late call-up to the Canadian National Team. They play in Germany on Wednesday as well, facing the home team in Paderborn.
Chicago will also be without two players, as goalkeeper Erin McLeod and defender Carmelina Moscato were both called-up to the Canadian National Team for its game against Germany.
Flash Shine in National Spotlight: Playing with their respective national teams, Wambach, Lloyd and Kerr all made the Flash proud with big games last week. On Saturday, Wambach netted her 156th international goal with an injury time penalty kick conversion, as the forward is now just two goals away from tying Mia Hamm's all-time mark. Lloyd scored her 44th goal with a 30-yard blast in the 57th minute to put the Americans up 3-0. The USA would go on to beat South Korea 4-0 in Foxborough, MA.
Kerr and the Australian National Team were pushed to penalty kicks by New Zealand on Sunday, after a 1-1 score in regulation. With her team ahead 3-2 in penalties, Kerr converted her kick to seal the win for the Matildas.
A Pit Stop for Camp Good Days: On Sunday, the Flash will return home to Sahlen's Stadium to host the Seattle Reign in "A Pit Stop for Camp Good Days". The Flash will be partnering with Watkins Glen International to promote Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen, which will be held at The Glen June 28-30. Flash jerseys for the game will feature Watkins Glen and Six Hours of the Glen logos, and will be auctioned off following the game with all proceeds going to Camp Good Days and Special Times.
In addition, the first 500 fans to register at the Watkins Glen informational table will receive two complimentary passes to the Six Hours of the Glen race.
Red Stars on a Roll: Like the Flash, the Red Stars are also riding a hot streak as they have won three of their last four games. Most recently, the team posted a 3-1 win over FC Kansas City, who sits in fourth place in the NWSL. After starting the year without a win over the first six games, the Red Stars have now added nine points in the month of June.
Game Nine Recap: Behind goals from Veronica Perez and Vicki DiMartino, the Western New York Flash shutout Washington 2-0 on Saturday. The Flash posted all 10 of their shots in the first half, but managed to keep the door closed in the second half to pick up their second shutout in as many games. Perez scored just seven minutes into the game, when she put home a pass from Adriana Martin. That goal was followed up with a header score from DiMartino in the 31st minute when she capitalized on a far- post cross from Alex Sahlen.
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.
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.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from June 19, 2013
- Flash Extend Point Streak to Seven Games with Exciting Finish at Chicago - Western New York Flash
- Red Stars End 4-Game Stretch with 2-2 Tie vs WNY - Chicago Stars FC
- Megan Rapinoe, Stephanie Cox and Kennya Cordner Signed by Reign FC - Seattle Reign FC
- Breakers Coach Lisa Cole and Guests Will Lead Course - Boston Breakers
- In a Flash: WNY at Chicago - Western New York Flash
- Flash F Robinson Called to Canadian National Team - Western New York Flash
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