NWSL releases 2017 schedule

The NWSL finally announced its 2017 schedule today. The regular season’s span is from April 15 to September 30 with the playoffs commencing afterwards. This year’s NWSL season has been extended to a 24-match schedule instead of the 20-match schedule of previous seasons. Each team will play 12 home matches and 12 away matches. Unlike the two previous years, due to the 2015 Women’s World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics, there will be no extended tournaments breaks this year.

This season Sky Blue will play the Boston Breakers once at home and twice away, the Chicago Red stars once at home and once away, FC Kansas City twice at home and once away, Houston Dash once at home and once away, North Carolina Courage once at home and twice away, Orlando Pride twice at home and once away, Portland Thorns once at home and once away, Seattle Reign FC once at home and twice away, and Washington Spirit twice at home and once away.

The team will start off the season in Seattle playing Seattle Reign on April 15. Kick off at Memorial Stadium is at 10 PM. On Sunday April 23 the team will travel to Massachusetts to face the Boston Breakers. Kick off at Jordan Field is at 4 PM. The Jersey Girls will return home to Yurcak Field on Sunday April 30 when they welcome FC Kansas City home. Kick off is at 6 PM.

Sky Blue’s last home game is on Sunday September 24, kick off at 6 PM, when they face North Carolina Courage. The following week they will end their regular season at Jordan Field playing against Boston Breakers. Kick off is at 7 PM. The complete schedule as released by Sky Blue can be seen below.

Head Coach Christy Holly said in a statement released by Sky Blue that everyone at the club is excited to have the full schedule publicly announced. “We cannot wait to get the season rolling and to see all of our great fans at the games, led by the Cloud 9 Supporters Group. We have a very enjoyable season ahead of us, and we encourage everyone to come out and watch these world-class players do what they do best.”

As has been reported before Lifetime, now NWSL main broadcaster, will show a Game of the Week every Saturday at 4 PM, with a pre game and half time shows. Lifetime is yet to announce which games they will feature as their Game of the Week but given the time and dates here are the possible Games of the Week for Sky Blue:

Saturday May 6, against Washington Spirit at the Maryland SoccerPlex.
Saturday May 13, against Houston Dash at the BBVA Compass Stadium.
Saturday May 20, against Houston Dash at Yurcak Field.
Saturday July 1st, against North Carolina Courage at the Wakemed Soccer Park.
Saturday August 12th, against Orlando Pride at the Orlando City Stadium.

To see the complete NWSL 2017 schedule click here.