The Orlando Pride (6-6-5, 23 points) take on Sky Blue FC (7-8-2, 23 points) on Saturday night and will be looking to cap off their three-match home stand with another victory. Orlando’s offense was firing on all cylinders in last night’s second half goal scoring frenzy against Washington; the Pride want to use that momentum and go after three more points against Sky Blue FC.
Read below for an in-depth analysis of Orlando’s next opponent:
Recent Matches
Sky Blue FC fell 4-1 to the Washington Spirit in their last match on August 4th. After taking a 1-0 lead in the second minute of that match, Sky Blue FC failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities to stretch their lead in the first half. Their inability to finish the Spirit off in the first half came back to haunt them. Arielle Ship and the Spirit pounced on their opportunities and scored four second half goals to shock Sky Blue FC on their own field. Before the home loss to Washington, Sky Blue FC lost a thriller to the Seattle Reign by a score of 5-4.
Who’s Hot
Sky Blue FC, like Orlando, are amongst the leaders in the NWSL for goals scored. Aussie striker Sam Kerr has lead Sky Blue FC in that department all season long and her absence up top was definitely felt in the defeat to Washington. Kerr will be back in the Sky Blue line-up after a successful Tournament of Nations run with the Australian national team.
McKenzie Meehan looked a real threat against the Spirit in Sky Blue FC’s most recent match. Meehan, a rookie playmaker out of Boston College, created problems for the Spirit back line -- especially in the first half where Sky Blue FC were certainly the better team.
Who’s Not
The Sky Blue FC defense has now allowed nine goals in their last two NWSL matches. Conceding goals at that rate makes it difficult for any team to win matches, even with an attack as strong as theirs. If something does not change at the back -- and change quick -- for Sky Blue FC, they could be in for a long night at Orlando City Stadium when they come up against Marta, Alex Morgan, and company.
Head-to-Head
The season series between these two teams will be decided on Saturday night. Sky Blue FC were victorious, 2-1, in the first meeting back in May. The second meeting between the two teams saw the Pride come out on top, 3-2, in what was arguably Orlando’s best road performance of the 2017 season.
Saturday night’s match is pivotal. Each team is pushing for NWSL playoff qualification -- tied at 23 points with only goal differential separating the two clubs in the standings.
