In a Flash: WNY at Sky Blue FC

Published on April 14, 2013 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release


Date: Sunday, April 14, 2013

Time: 6 p.m. (EST)

Pitch: Yurcak Field at Rutgers University

Forecast: Sunny, clear and 57 degrees

The Matchup : The Western New York Flash open the 2013 NWSL season on the road, traveling to face Sky Blue FC on the campus of Rutgers University. This is the first time the two teams have met in the newly formed NWSL, as it will mark the season opener for both clubs. The two teams were both a part of the WPS in 2011, with the Flash owning the season series 3-0-1.

Where to Watch: The Flash and all participating NWSL teams will stream games live on YouTube 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, #SBFCvWNYF, #NWSL

Welcome Home, Wambach: 2012 FIFA Player of the Year Abby Wambach will suit up for her hometown team for the first time in her career. The forward has returned to play in Rochester many times, with both her professional and international clubs, but she has never spent an entire season in the Flower City.

On July 20, 2011, Wambach and her then-club magicJack met the Flash for the first game following the 2011 Women's World Cup. The game drew a WPS record 15,404 fans, marking the highest selling game at Sahlen's Stadium. The Our Lady of Mercy High School graduate stands as the second all-time leading scorer in women's international soccer with 155 goals, just three behind tying Mia Hamm for first at 158 tallies.

The Quest for Four: The Flash's quest for its fourth title will start today in the team's first game of 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.

Familiar Faces: In addition to Wambach, Flash fans will recognize a number of players on the pitch. McCall Zerboni, Alex Sahlen, Adriana MartÃ-n and Angela Salem all return after helping lead the club to the 2012 WPSL-Elite Championship in 2012. Goalkeeper Pamala Tajoner will also be on the roster. The Mexican international was allocated to the Flash, but was an original member of the 2010 Buffalo Flash W-League Championship team.

Head Coach Aaran Lines will again lead the charge as he looks to direct the club to yet another championship. The two-time Fieldturf Coach of the Year will be assisted by former Rochester Rhino standout Scott Vallow, who will serve as the goaltending coach, and Pedro Losa.

On the other side of the pitch, Wambach will go head-to-head with USWNT teammates Christie Rampone, Kelly O'Hara and Jill Loyden. Brittany Bock and Brittany Cameron will also wear the opponent's crest, as both are former members of the Flash.

Preseason Perfection: The Flash are coming into today's game after a perfect preseason stand. WNY claimed victories over Canisius College (3-0), Penn State University (7-0), Ohio State University (4-0) and UNC (2-1). The 2012 defending NCAA Champion Tar Heels were the first and only to score on the Flash in the preseason, jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the matchup. But two goals late in the game, and just five minutes from each other, sealed the undefeated preseason campaign.

The Kit: The Flash announced on Friday 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.

And the Award Goes to..: The Football Media Association of Australia has named Western New York Flash forward Samantha Kerr the W-League Player of the Year. The 19-year-old returned from an ACL injury to lead Sydney FC to the Westfield W-League Championship for the 2012-13 season. The Matilda scored nine goals on the year, including the game-winner in the W-League grand final. Kerr's header in the 48th minute broke a 1-1 tie with Melbourne Victory, as Sydney FC would go on to win 3-1.

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 Flash will play their second game on the road as well, facing the Washington Spirit at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 20th. The game will be held at the Maryland Sportsplex in Millersville, MD.

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