The Seattle Reign opened up the scoring in the 8th minute with a goal by midfielder Keelin Winters, and would control the tempo for the rest of the match, as they beat Sky Blue FC by a score of 3 – 0.
Seattle seemingly has Sky Blue’s number this season. Through two matches they’ve been able to hold Sky Blue to a total of eight shot attempts and one goal. However, their first meeting ended in a 1 – 1 draw.
Sky Blue did have a good scoring attempt in the 15th minute off of a shot by midfielder Meg Morris who beat her defender and struck a shot off the post. At the time the goal could have been an equalizer, but the ball has continually not bounced Sky Blue’s way so far this season.
All four of Sky Blue’s shot attempts came in the first half. They seemed stagnant for a majority of the game and were outmatched from opening kickoff until the final whistle.
“We were really flat in the first 30 minutes of the game, and we paid for it,” Sky Blue FC Technical Director & Head Coach Jim Gabarra said. “We did not generate enough on the attack tonight, which limited our chances. Players put forth a good effort overall, but it was just one of those games where too many players had off-days.”
Seattle would go on to score their second goal in the 27th minute off of a corner kick that was directed into goal off the head of Jessica Fishlock, who was sent off with a red card the first time these teams met.
The only goal to come in the second half was the result of a penalty kick in the 77th minute. Seattle midfielder Kim Little took a free kick that struck the Sky Blue wall and produced a handball. Little stepped forward to beat Brittany Cameron and score the last of Seattle’s three goals.
“Kim can go forward. It’s not just about goals for Kim. It’s everything else that she brings to the game,” Seattle Reign Head Coach Laura Harvey said. “I think you saw tonight, between Kim, Jess [Fishlock], and Bev [Yanez], some of the link-up play they do at time is just scary.”
Sky Blue has still only managed to score six goals through nine games this season. Their pace and attack had seemed to be improving over their past three bouts, but they definitely took a big step back with this performance against Seattle.
After winning the first game of the season, Sky Blue is still searching for that elusive second win. It’s coming to the point this season where they might have to look into taking an alternative approach if they wish to score some goals.
The loss moves Sky Blue solely into last place on the table with a record of 1-4-4. The win has Seattle sitting in third with a record of 3-2-2.
The NWSL is taking a two week break for the group stages of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. Sky Blue’s next match will be Sunday, June 28 when they return home to Yurcak Field in Piscataway to take on the Chicago Red Stars.
