In a Flash: WNY at Washington
Published on April 20, 2013 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
Date: Saturday, April 20, 2013
Time: 7:00 p.m. (EST)
Pitch: Maryland SoccerPlex
Forecast: 54 degrees, clear with slight winds
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The Matchup : This will be the first time the two teams face each other, as this is the first season of play for the Washington Spirit. The team was established after the announcement of the newly formed NWSL.
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, #WASvWNYF, #NWSL
Let's Hear From You! The Flash are calling on fans to create the OFFICIAL Flash chant. The chant will be played at all home games as an official battle cry of the team. The selected winner will also get to walk the team onto the field for the home opener! Video submissions, with lyrics, can be sent to wnyflashcontest@gmail.com
Headed Home: After two games on the road, the Flash will open their home season on Saturday, April 27th at 7:35 p.m. WNY will host the Boston Breakers at Sahlen's Stadium in the "Best is Back" celebration. Tickets are still available for the game and can be purchased by calling the Sahlen's Stadium box office at (585) 545-KICK.
Preview at Practice: The Flash will host an open training session on Thursday, April 25th at Sahlen's Stadium. The practice will begin at 3 p.m. and is scheduled to last approximately 90 minutes. Tickets are not needed for the event and gates will open when the team takes the field.
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.
Familiar Faces: Fans will recognize a number of players on the Spirit sideline. Lori Lindsey, a member of the USWNT and the 2012 WNY Flash Championship roster, will wear the armband for a Washington team that features goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris. Harris played a key role in the Flash's 2011 WPS Championship run; she would go on to win Coast Guard Goalkeeper of the Year honors after making a key save in penalty kicks. Defender Candace Chapman was also a part of that 2011 team, while Stephanie Ochs and Tori Huster were on the 2012 roster.
It will be a homecoming of sorts for Abby Wambach, who spent her first years of professional soccer playing alongside current USWNT teammate and Spirit defender Ali Krieger with the Washington Freedom in the WUSA.
Game One Recap: In the season's opening game, the Flash fell 1-0 to Sky Blue FC on a 42nd minute own goal. After the only blemish of the game, Adrianna Franch made seven saves to keep her team in the contest, and would go on to finish in fourth place for Week 1 NWSL Player of the Week voting (as a write-in vote). Sky Blue became the only team to win on opening weekend, with the other three contests ending in draws.
The Spirit were one of those ties, playing to a 1-1 score with the Boston Breakers. Tiffany McCarty scored first for the Spirit at the 16 minutes mark, but a stoppage time goal by Sydney Leroux evened the score.
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 Flash host the Boston Breakers at 7:35 p.m. on Saturday, April 27th at Sahlen's Stadium in the team's 2013 NWSL home opener.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from April 20, 2013
- Flash Pick up First Point; Draw 1-1 at Washington - Western New York Flash
- In a Flash: WNY at Washington - Western New York Flash
- NWSL to Reschedule FC Kansas City vs. Breakers Game - Boston Breakers
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