The Washington Spirit and Sky Blue FC will kick off the National Women’s Soccer League’s fall series action on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET at Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia. Fans have waited since the end of the successful NWSL Challenge Cup, a little over a month, to see their favorite clubs battle it out on the pitch once again.
The Spirt and Sky Blue are part of the Northeast pod, one of the three regional pods, each made up of three teams, designed to limit travel to keep players and staff safe. The Chicago Red Stars are the third team of the Northeast pod. The Portland Thorns, Utah Royals and Reign FC make up the West pod, while the Houston Dash, North Carolina Courage and Orlando Pride make up the South pod.
How to watch Washington Spirit vs Sky Blue FC?
The game is set to start at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, and will be available on CBS (TV) and CBS All Access (Live Stream) for American audiences. Moreover, the game will be available for fans outside of the U.S. through Twitch.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Washington Spirit vs Sky Blue FC: Preview
The last time these two sides met was in the Challenge Cup quarterfinals where Sky Blue eliminated the Spirit on penalties. Washington dominated possession and created more chances, but the Beez were able to hold off the Spirit and take the game into a penalty shootout.
Deemed the best passing team in the NWSL Challenge Cup where they completed 81.2% of their passes, the Spirit will look to control the game against Sky Blue. Moreover, Washington was the cleanest side in Utah, where they committed 38 fouls and were not shown any cards.
On the other hand, Sky Blue was more accurate with their shots during the tournament with a conversion rate of 11.4%, despite creating fewer chances than Washington.
Washington Spirit overview
The Washington Spirit is one of the few teams that has kept a solid number of players during times of uncertainty, as players search for more playing experience abroad. With the exception of midfielder Rose Lavelle, who was traded to OL Reign and went overseas to play in Manchester City on a short loan deal shortly after her acquisition, the Spirit has not made any transfer moves.
Captain Andi Sullivan will be out as she recovers from MCL surgery, veteran Tori Hustler is out with an ankle injury, defender Tegan McGrady will miss out on the action with a foot injury and midfielder Jordan DiBiasi is still recovering from a hip injury. Other than these players, and Lavelle, it is game on for the Spirit.
Forward Ashely Sanchez, who won the Challenge Cup future legend award, will look to connect with fellow rookie forward Ashley Hatch and forward Kumi Yokoyama in the attack. Other rookies like defender Natalie Jacobs, forwards Averie Collins and Katie McClure, and midfield duo Dorian Bayley Feist and Dorian Bailey, will get plenty of experience. Spirit Head coach Richie Burke expressed that the fall series will be a good opportunity for players to showcase themselves, especially with some big shoes to fill for out of the picture Sullivan and Lavelle.
“This is an ideal for managers like me to do an assessment,” said Burke, “an overview, a complete rundown and evaluate where our players are this year.”
Washington Spirit fall series roster
Goalkeepers (3): Audrey Bledsoe, Katie Lund, Devon Kerr
Defenders (5): Sam Staab, Natalie Jacobs, Brooke Hendrix, Paige Nielsen, Kaiya McCullough
Midfielders (5): Jaye Boissiere, Meggie Dougherty Howard, Avery Collins, Dorian Bailey, Bayley Feist,
Forwards (9): Ashley Sanchez, Katie McClure, Kumi Yokoyama, Jessie Scarpa, Jenna Hellstrom, Meghan McCool, Crystal Thomas, Ashley Hatch, Avery Collins
Head coach: Richie Burke
Sky Blue FC overview
The New Jersey home-based side had a memorable experience in the NWSL Challenge Cup, reaching the semifinals and narrowly missing the championship game after losing 3-2 to the Chicago Red Stars.
Despite the result, head coach Freya Coombe had plenty of reasons to be satisfied. One of the reasons was goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan’s performances, which ultimately earned her the golden glove, recording 21 saves. The team also boasted one of the most dominant midfield lines in Jennifer Cudjoe, Sarah Woldmoe and McCall Zerboni. However, Zerboni will miss the fall series after suffering an injury, and it will be interesting to see which player will fill that void.
Like mentioned before, players have traveled abroad to play more than four games for more match experience. Elizabeth Eddy, Nahomi Kawasumi and Evelyne Viens are the players who have chosen to do so.
Forward Mallory Pugh will play her first game for the Beez against her her previous club and will be looking to gain form to be able to make it to the USWNT roster for the Olympics.
Sky Blue will also be missing some key players when they step on Segra Field on Saturday afternoon.
Sky Blue FC fall series roster
Goalkeepers (4): Didi Haracic, Megan Hinz, Amanda McGlynn, Kailen Sheridan
Defenders (7): Imani Dorsey, Sabrina Flores, Mandy Freeman, Estelle Johnson, Gina Lewandowski, Margaret “Midge” Purce, Erica Skroski
Midfielders (4): Nicole Baxter, Jennifer Cudjoe, Domi Richardson, Sarah Woldmoe
Forwards (3): Paige Monaghan, Ifeoma Onumonu, Mallory Pugh
