Match Preview: Sky Blue FC vs. Boston Breakers – 3 Things To Look For

Sky Blue FC vs. Boston Breakers

Jordan Field; Allston, Massachusetts

April 23, 2017

4 p.m. ET

Watch: go90 app

Sky Blue FC (0-0-1, 1 point) will hit the road once again this weekend, traveling to New England for a Sunday match-up with the Boston Breakers (0-1-0; 0 points) at Jordan Field. The Week 2 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) contest will kickoff at 4 p.m. ET, and fans can watch live via NWSL’s streaming partner go90.

The New Jersey club comes into the match off a 1-1 draw with Seattle Reign FC on April 15 at Memorial Stadium. Midfielder Sarah Killion converted a second half penalty kick – shortly after Reign midfielder Megan Rapinoe did the same – to secure the road point and continue SBFC’s unbeaten NWSL season opener streak. The Boston Breakers, on the other hand, dropped its first game of the season with a 2-0 loss against FC Kansas City and will look to snap a six-game winless streak dating back to the 2016 season.

As Sky Blue FC continues its first road trip of the year, here are three things to look for in Sunday’s match-up:

1. Can Sky Blue FC find its stride on offense?

Despite having a 17-11 shot advantage against Seattle last week, Sky Blue FC was only able to score once off a Killion penalty kick in the 62nd minute. Don’t get me wrong, Reign FC goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer had an outstanding showing and was named the NWSL Player of the Week for her performance. However, SBFC created multiple scoring chances throughout the match and need to start putting some goals away soon. With the amount of talent the New Jersey club has up top with players like Sam Kerr and Kelley O’Hara, it should only be a matter of time before the floodgates open. Plus, history is on SBFC’s side, outscoring the Breakers 8-4 over the past six encounters.

2. The Dynamic Duo In Midfield

Killion and Costa Rica international Raquel Rodriguez were exceptional controlling the center of the field last week against Seattle. The dynamic duo continued right where they left off last year and played a huge role in creating many scoring chances for Sky Blue FC. With Boston’s defense looking shaky last week against FCKC, there’s a very good chance these two can expose the backline and get things going offensively again (and maybe even get a goal of their own). However, the entire mid-line will need to stay disciplined defensively, especially when facing midfielder Rose Lavelle, if they hope to win the midfield battle.

3. The Rookies

With their NWSL debuts last week, rookies Mandy Freeman, Kayla Mills and Kailen Sheridan showed why the SBFC staff was extremely excited throughout the 2017 NWSL College Draft. Freeman and Mills were teammates at USC and members of the 2016 NCAA championship roster, and they fit right in with veterans Erica Skroski and Christie Pearce in the backline. Freeman and Mills combined for four tackles while Sheridan recorded four saves against the Reign last week. Fans will have to wait until April 30 to see these rookies live at Yurcak Field, but in the meantime, these three will continue to strive to play like veterans in their next challenge against Boston.