Match Preview: Sky Blue FC vs. Seattle Reign FC

Sky Blue FC vs. Seattle Reign FC

Memorial Stadium; Seattle, Washington

July 22, 2017

10:00 p.m. ET

Watch: go90 or NWSLsoccer.com

Sky Blue FC (7-6-2, 23 points) returns to National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) action on Saturday as the New Jersey club travels to Seattle to take on the Reign (5-3-6, 21 points) at Memorial Stadium. The match is set to kickoff at 10 p.m. ET, and fans can watch the match on go90.com, the go90 app or on NWSLsoccer.com.

The Golden Boot race continues as Sky Blue FC forward Sam Kerr currently leads the league with 10 goals, while Seattle Reign FC midfielder Megan Rapinoe is close behind with nine. Kerr has been phenomenal so far this season for the New Jersey club, and at 23 years old, she is the NWSL all-time leading goal-scorer with 36 and counting.

Sky Blue FC enters Saturday’s contest off a 2-2 comeback draw against the Chicago Red Stars at Yurcak Field on July 15. After falling behind 2-0 early in the first half, Maya Hayes recorded an unassisted tally in the 32nd minute to take a 2-1 score line into halftime. As time was about to expire, Kerr once again saved the day by scoring the equalizer in the 90th minute off a Sarah Killion cross.

Seattle also comes into the match off a tie – a 1-1 result against the Boston Breakers last Saturday. Reign FC are currently undefeated at home with a 4-0-4 record, and have a league-leading undefeated home streak at 14 games. However, Sky Blue FC leads the NWSL in second half goals with 16 so far during the 2017 campaign. Defensively, Seattle has allowed the fourth highest percentage of second half goals this year.

Saturday night will mark the second time these two teams will face each other, with the first being a 1-1 draw at Memorial Stadium during the NWSL Opening Weekend. The series is currently knotted up at 3-3-5 overall, but the New Jersey side holds the edge on road contests at 2-1-3.

This will mark the last match before the NWSL will take its second international break of the season.

Injury Report:

OUT: Mandy Freeman (left ankle sprain), Erin Simon (D45 – left foot fracture)

OUT: Jess Fishlock (left knee MCL sprain), Diana Matheson (SEI – left knee ACL tear)