Sky Blue Plays Orlando Pride During NWSL Week 12

Sky Blue FC (0-8-2, 2 points) is on the road this weekend for NWSL week 12 and will play No. 3 ranked Orlando Pride (4-3-4, 16 points) at the Orlando City Stadium. The match is set for Saturday, June 16, 7:30pm ET kickoff and will mark the first time both teams meet this season.

While Orlando Pride had week 11 off during the FIFA break, they are coming from a scoreless tie against the Seattle Reign during week 10. On the other hand, Sky Blue FC has been showing good rhythm and better team chemistry between the midfield and the forwards during the past two games. The NJ team will look to continue their momentum, especially now that all of the six players out on international duty are back.

Players to Watch

Sky Blue’s Carli Lloyd, Savannah McCaskill, Janine Beckie, Thaisa Moreno and Rebekah Stott are back. Lloyd, Moreno, Beckie and Sarah Killion will be essential on the attack. Stott, Mandy Freeman and Christina Gibbons are solid on the defensive end. They will definitely give Orlando’s offense a hard time.

Orlando’s Alex Morgan, Sydney Leroux, Marta and Chioma Ubogagu will put pressure on Sky Blue’s defense. They will create opportunities on the final third and threaten Kailen Sheridan’s net. Any of Orlando’s goalkeepers are great. Whether Haley Kopmeyer or Ashlyn Harris start, they are both confident on the net and are hard-to-beat goalkeepers. Sky Blue forwards will need to be smart and take more shots on the attack.

Transactions, Transactions, Transactions

Lots of activity going on for Sky Blue FC this season. Below is a quick update on the most recent transactions for the team:

• May 4: Erin Simon is officially waived.
• May 26: Sky Blue officially signs Kaycee Gunion as replacement goalkeeper.
• June 12: Acquired fourth round pick of Seattle Reign FC in the 2019 NWSL College Draft in exchange for forward, Adriana Leon.
• June 15: Sky Blue signs Imani Dorsey to full professional contract. Defender Kayla Mills is waived to make room on the roster for Dorsey.

Match Injury Report

As of Friday, June 15, Shea Groom (right ankle contusion), Jen Hoy (right knee sprain), and Raquel Rodriguez (back spasms) are out. There are no reports of any other questionable players.

The match will be live-streamed on go90.