Western New York Flash Host Sky Blue FC in NWSL Semifinal Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 2
Published on August 23, 2013 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
CHICAGO - The Western New York Flash host Sky Blue FC on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 8 p.m. ET in the semifinals of the 2013 NWSL Playoffs live on FOX Sports 2.
The Flash went unbeaten in their final seven regular-season games to chase down FC Kansas City for the NWSL Shield and No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
Western New York went top of the table for the first time all year on the second to last day of the regular season with a 2-1 victory over the Boston Breakers on Saturday courtesy of goals from forwards Samantha Kerr and Abby Wambach.
Wambach's game-winning tally was her 11th goal of the season - tied with Breakers forward and fellow U.S. international Sydney Leroux for the second most in the league. She also finished the regular season with the second most assists (8), only trailing FC Kansas City midfielder Lauren Holiday in both categories.
Flash goalkeeper Adrianna Franch made six saves against the Breakers to close out the regular season as the league leader in saves with 98 - six more than Portland Thorns FC's Karina LeBlanc.
In addition to their current seven-game unbeaten streak, the Flash also posted a nine-game run without a loss between May 1 and June 28, which included two wins over Sky Blue FC.
The Flash hold a 3-1-0 advantage in the season series, with Western New York running off three consecutive victories over their semifinal opponents after dropping the opening game of the season for both teams.
Western New York outscored SBFC 8-1 over the final three regular-season meetings, with midfielder Carli Lloyd, Wambach and Kerr all netting twice during the span.
Sky Blue FC come into the semifinal match Saturday night with just one win (over the last-place Washington Spirit) in their final seven regular season games - during which time they fell out of first place in the NWSL standings for good on July 24.
SBFC had finished the preceding 100 days in first place before a host of injuries began to take a toll on coach Jim Gabarra's side.
SBFC, however, was able to make the playoffs despite injuries that caused several key players - including forwards Monica Ocampo and Lisa De Vanna, midfielder Kelley O'Hara and defender Caitlin Foord - to miss significant time.
Both O'Hara (right ankle) and Foord (left foot) will not play Saturday night against the Flash - but Ocampo, who returned to the lineup at the end of July, is expected to start and proved pivotal for Sky Blue FC down the stretch.
The forward and Mexico international scored three goals in three games during August to push her season total to a team-best eight and earned her NWSL Player of the Month honors.
In addition to Ocampo, SBFC have gotten strong performances from midfielders Sophie Schmidt (7 goals) and Katie Freels (6 assists) as well as defenders Christie Rampone and Coco Goodson .
Goodson was one of just three outfield players, including Western New York defender Estelle Johnson and FC Kansas City midfielder Jen Buczkowski, to play every minute of the 2013 season.
Flash defender Alex Sahlen will miss the game with a plantar fasciitis injury in her left foot.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from August 23, 2013
- Reign FC Completes Inaugural NWSL Season - Seattle Reign FC
- Flash Begin Quest for NWSL Title - Western New York Flash
- FC Kansas City Ready for Playoffs - FC Kansas City
- Perez, Tajoner Called to Mexican National Team - Western New York Flash
- Western New York Flash Host Sky Blue FC in NWSL Semifinal Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 2 - Western New York Flash
- Red Stars Announce End of Season Team Awards - Chicago Stars FC
- FC Kansas City Host Portland Thorns FC in NWSL Semifinal Saturday - NWSL
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.
