Sky Blue FC Welcomes Chicago Red Stars to Yurcak Field on Saturday Night
Sky Blue FC (7-6-1, 22 points) will return to National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) action on Saturday, looking to extend a two-match winning streak when it hosts the Chicago Red Stars (7-3-3, 24 points) for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J. The home contest will mark the first time that forward Tasha Kai will be available for Sky Blue FC during the 2017 season, with defender Erin Simon replacing her on the 45-day disabled list after suffering a left foot fracture in game action two weeks ago.
“We look forward to getting back on the field in front of our fantastic fans on Saturday,” said Christy Holly, Sky Blue FC head coach. “We had a really good week of preparation and know that we must meet our potential in order to achieve a positive result.”
After having procedures done during the offseason to both her left and right ankles, Kai has returned to full fitness and will be on the active roster for Sky Blue FC on Saturday night. During the 2016 season, the Hawaii native made 17 starts and appeared in all 20 matches for Sky Blue FC, recording four goals and one assist.
Simon has made seven starts for Sky Blue FC this season, but the New Jersey native will now miss a minimum of 45 days after having a procedure done to address a left ankle fracture she suffered two weeks ago against the North Carolina Courage. In that game, she was substituted off the field in the 24th minute after an opposing player inadvertently stepped on her left foot to cause the injury. Sky Blue FC will be a bit depleted in terms of defenders this weekend, as Mandy Freeman will also miss the match after suffering a left ankle sprain on Saturday in a 3-2 win over FC Kansas City.
Sky Blue FC will be seeking its first-ever NWSL win over the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday, with the cumulative record standing at 0-5-6 overall and 0-3-2 in New Jersey. The last time these two clubs played was on June 25. In that meeting, Taylor Lytle and Madison Tiernan hooked up in the 3rd minute, but the Red Stars rallied for a pair of second-half goals in an eventual 2-1 victory.
In its last NWSL contest, Sky Blue FC orchestrated what was arguably the greatest comeback in league history. Heading into the 78th minute with a 2-0 deficit, forward Sam Kerr exploded for a 12-minute hat trick to secure an improbable 3-2 comeback victory. The Australia international finished assists from three different teammates during that span, an effort that resulted in her unanimously winning NWSL Player of the Week honors.
Chicago enters this pairing on the heels of a scoreless draw against the Boston Breakers last Friday night. In its past two matches, the Red Stars have not seceded a goal.
Individual tickets for Saturday’s home match are available now online or by calling 888-SBFC-TIX (888-723-2849). For all of the latest news on Sky Blue FC, visit the team online and follow us on social media: @SkyBlueFC
