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All of us will be supporting the USWNT during the World Cup. For the rare few that aren't American or are just curious about how to get some Sky Blue action while the NWSl is on a 2 week break, I have good news. Here's how Sky Blue players are doing before the World Cup and how to watch them perform in the World Cup Round 1.
WHO Canada vs China (Jonelle Filigno)
WHEN Saturday, June 6th, 6:00 p.m.
WHERE Edmunton, Canada
TV Fox Sports 1, Telemundo
INTERNET Fox Soccer 2 Go, Fox Sports Go
Sky Blue Forward, Jonelle Filigno takes on the Chinese in the opening game of the Women's World Cup. Filigno is not only a Sky Blue player but also an alumni of Rutgers so she's all about the Jersey connection. While Filigno has not yet appeared for Sky Blue this year (she's been in a pre-World Cup camp with the Canadian National Team), she has appeared for Canada this year. Notably starting and playing 79 minutes against France where Canada lost 1-0. Having appeared in 6 of Canada's 9 matches, Filigno is a good bet to appear for Canada in this year's World Cup.
WHO US vs Australia (Kelley O'Hara, Christie Rampone, Caitlin Foord, Samantha Kerr)
WHEN Monday, June 8th, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE Edmonton, Canada
TV Fox Sports 1, NBC Universo
INTERNET Fox Soccer 2 Go, Fox Sports Go
Not sure about you guys but I've missed Kelley O'Hara and Christie Rampone. It's not like we need to throw out some missing posters for them or anything dramatic. They've just been away with the USWNT working to get that third star above the crest. Well much like when you visit a good friend at college, we're about to get a snap shot of what all their hard work has been building to.
Last week Rampone and O'Hara both came off the bench in the USWNT's last friendly against South Korea. Good news is that they didn't give up a goal. Bad news is that they didn't score a goal against a team that just two years ago they dropped 5 on. Now don't expect either player to start against Australia. But that doesn't mean that we won't see them. O'Hara's versatility makes her seem like the more likely of the two to come off the bench. She's played as a striker in college, a winger (on both sides) in the pros, and a defender (on both sides) on the national team. She's appeared in games to help the team grab a goal and to help the team defend a lead. She's a Swiss army knife that we hope to see in the World Cup.
Rampone on the other hand is harder to predict. With 3 guaranteed games on turf, it'll be interesting to see how Ellis rotates her backline. While Rampone is 40, she is fully fit and is definitely the first option at center back off the bench. Rampone also brings a ton of intangibles to the field. A consistent player since 1999, Rampone's kids now are older than some of the other players were when she won the World Cup. If you need to hold onto a late game lead, she'd be one of the people I hope to see on the field. This is Ellis's first major tournament so it'll be a toss up to see what she does with Rampone and substitutions.
Samantha Kerr and Caitlin Foord on the other hand, you can't miss what you never had. While they've been away with the Australian Women's National Team, the two players have been cheering on Sky Blue from afar. I really hope they don't expect any Sky Blue fans to cheer for them come Monday. Unlike Rampone and O'Hara Kerr and Foord are both integral parts of the team. Expect the Kerr and Foord to test the left flank of the USWNT. Coming off an 11-0 whipping of Vietnam.
June 9th: Mexico vs Columbia 4 PM FS1 and Fox Sports Go.
WHO Mexico vs Colombia (Monica Ocampo)
WHEN Tuesday, June 9th, 4:00 p.m.
WHERE Moncton, Canada
TV Fox, Telemundo
INTERNET Fox Soccer 2 Go, Fox Sports Go
The last of Sky Blue's World Cup contingent is Monica Ocampo of Mexico. Ocampo lead Sky Blue in 2013 with 8 goals. While she has yet to appear with Sky Blue this year, much like Filigno she's been out training, the 28-year-old forward is a strong part of the Mexican squad and is one of the team's veteran leaders. She has played in 73 games with 14 goals for Mexico.
Come back to Once a Metro for all your Women's World Cup coverage. We'll keep you updated on how both the USWNT and Sky Blue players are doing.