WPS Sky Blue FC

Sky Blue FC Meets Sol Saturday for the Final Time this Season

Published on June 12, 2009 under Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Sky Blue FC News Release


Saturday's match against the Los Angeles Sol is shaping up to be a key game in Sky Blue FC's inaugural campaign. A win against the top team in Women's Professional Soccer would provide Sky Blue FC with a confidence boost as the playoff race heats up.

Sky Blue FC will take on the league leaders at 7 p.m. on Saturday night at Yurcak Field on the campus of Rutgers University in Piscataway, N.J. The matchup is Sky Blue FC's third and final meeting of the season with Los Angeles.

Saturday night's match will be broadcast on a tape-delayed basis on the Universal Sports network with a 10 p.m. air time. The match will also be streamed live online on the Universal Sports website at www.universalsports.tv.

The Sol enters the match with the second-most goals scored in WPS with 15 and also has allowed the least with four, despite playing the most matches of any team in the league so far. Saturday's game will be the 12th of the season for Los Angeles (7-1-3, 24 pts.), with only eight more scheduled the rest of the way.

However, Sky Blue FC interim head coach Kelly Lindsey is not intimidated by the impressive statistics the Sol has generated. She takes comfort in her team's excellent defense, which has not allowed more than two goals in any game this year. In the two previous matches against Los Angeles, Sky Blue FC allowed three goals - all scored by Brazilian sensation Marta.

That being said, Lindsey stresses the need to pair a strong defensive effort with a lively attack, an area where Sky Blue FC has struggled this season.

"All season long, we've been well-organized defensively," Lindsey said. "We've relied on our defense a lot because we have a lot of confidence in it. However, I think our best defense this weekend will be a good attack - we need to put a few goals in the back of the net, keep possession and keep Los Angeles on its heels."

Sky Blue FC (2-5-2, 8 pts.) comes into the match looking up in the standings. The Sol dominates the table at the moment 12 points clear of second-place Washington, but Sky Blue FC trails the Freedom by just four points. Depending on the results of the other two matches this weekend, a Sky Blue FC win could catapult the team back into the playoff hunt. Three teams - Boston, FC Gold Pride, and Saint Louis - are currently tied for third with 11 points.

While Saturday's match represents the season's midpoint for Sky Blue FC, Lindsey doesn't see the upcoming game as a must-win at this point in the year. However, she does recognize the necessity of keeping Sky Blue FC on track.

"One game here or there isn't going to make or break our season," explained Lindsey. "Obviously if we can get three points this weekend, it leads us in the right direction heading into the second half of the year. I feel confident that we'll get points this weekend - the team is feeling very good right now."

Lindsey is also aware of the large crowd that is anticipated for the Saturday evening match, and she welcomes the enthusiasm and energy that the fans from New Jersey and the surrounding area bring to Yurcak Field.

"Keep the fans coming," exclaimed Lindsey. "All three games that we've been at home, we've played well in front of our fans. During our last game, they helped us get the win. Our team is feeling the energy already and can't wait to get out in front of them on Saturday."

Ticket specials are available for Saturday night's game. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 888-SBFC-TIX (888-723-2849) or online by visiting www.SkyBlueStore.com.

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Women's Professional Soccer Stories from June 12, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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