Orlando Pride vs. Sky Blue FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

Welcome to your match thread for tonight’s match-up between the Orlando Pride (4-3-4, 16 points) and Sky Blue FC (0-8-2, 2 points). This is the first time these teams will see each other this season, and will play twice more in 2018 — Sky Blue returns to Orlando Aug. 5 and the Pride visit New Jersey on Sept. 8 in the regular season finale.

History

Orlando is 2-2-1 against Sky Blue FC in the all-time series, with the last meeting ending in a 5-0 demolition of the New Jersey side. Alex Morgan and Marta both recorded a brace and an assist and Dani Weatherholt also got in on the fun. The Pride fell 2-1 in the first trip to New Jersey in 2017. Jasmyne Spencer scored early on, but Sam Kerr and Maya Hayes each scored to give Sky Blue the win. A month later, the Pride came from behind to win the second meeting, 3-2.

In 2016, the two clubs played twice. The Pride earned their first-ever draw in a 1-1 deadlock on the road on Sept. 7, 2016. Alex Morgan scored 22 minutes in and Ashlyn Harris defended the net heroically but Kerr equalized less than 10 minutes from the whistle. Three days later, Sky Blue captured a 2-1 comeback win at Camping World Stadium in the rematch. Kristen Edmonds scored first but Kerr and Hayes beat Harris to fuel the comeback.

Overview

This season could not be going differently for these two teams. The New Jersey side is currently the only winless team in the league but was able to get a rare point a week ago against the Washington Spirit — a game that ended goalless. Sky Blue not only has the worst goal differential (-10) in the NWSL but also the fewest goals scored (6) and the third-most goals allowed (16) — one behind Houston’s and Washington’s seven.

“Sky Blue has been struggling results wise, but if you look at their last five games each of them could have gone either way.” Head Coach Tom Sermanni said. “It’s one of those situations that they’re in at the moment where things just aren’t going right for them, but they are still a team that are very dangerous, they’re a team that are very well organized, they’re a team that works very hard and they’re a team on the cusp of getting a win. It’s a very dangerous game for us this weekend.”

The Pride, on the other hand, are coming off of a scoreless draw at Seattle. Harris and Morgan were both unavailable due to international duty. While the attack stalled, Harris’ backup, Haley Kopmeyer, stepped right in and was a huge reason why Orlando earned a point. Marta, Rachel Hill, and Ali Krieger also missed the game due to injuries.

While Krieger will not be returning any time soon, there is some good news. Camila is finally off the injury list and could feature tonight for the first time in eight months due to an ACL tear. Marta is listed as questionable with a left calf strain as well. For the visitors, Shea Groom (right ankle contusion), Jen Hoy (right knee sprain), and Raquel Rodriguez (back spasms) are all out with injuries.

Official Lineups:

Orlando Pride (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Ashlyn Harris.

Defenders: Carson Pickett, Shelina Zadorsky, Monica, Poliana.

Midfielders: Christine Nairn, Alanna Kennedy, Emily van Egmond.

Forwards: Chioma Ubogagu, Alex Morgan, Sydney Leroux.

Bench: Haley Kopmeyer, Danica Evans, Marta, Kristen Edmonds, Rachel Hill, Toni Pressley, Dani Weatherholt.

Sky Blue FC (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Kailen Sheridan.

Defenders: Christina Gibbons, Dominique Richardson, Mandy Freeman, Erica Skroski.

Midfielders: Imani Dorsey, Sarah Killion, Madison Tiernan.

Forwards: Katie Johnson, Carli Lloyd, Savannah McCaskill. 

Bench: Caroline Casey, Michaela Abam, Amanda Frisbie, Mckenzie Meehan, Thaisa Moreno, Rebekah Stott, Janine Beckie.

Referees

REF: Matt Franz.

AR1: Tom Felice.

AR2: Ben Pilgrim.

4TH: Janessa Gunn.

How to Watch

Match Time: 7:30 p.m. (ET).

Venue: Orlando City Stadium — Orlando, FL.

TV: None.

Streaming:  go90.com, go90 iOS and Android app (in the U.S.), NWSLSoccer.com or the NWSL app (outside the U.S.).

Twitter: For live updates, follow along at the Orlando Pride’s official Twitter feed (@ORLPride) and despite the busy triple game night we’ll try to provide some updates on The Mane Land’s Twitter (@TheManeLand).

Match Thread Rules

This is your live thread for posting comments on the match. So use our comments section below to talk about the game in real time with other supporters. If you’re new, welcome to our happy home! While you’re here, please observe a few basic rules:

• Absolutely no links to illegal streams. They can get us in trouble, and no one wants that.
• Try not to be the person who spews nothing but venom and hate for the team. It’s OK to be critical, and, let’s face it, sometimes even the best teams can be frustrating to watch, but being overly negative relentlessly can sap the enjoyment for others.
• Keep it somewhat clean and fair when criticizing players / officials. You never know who might be reading.
• Do unto others in the match thread, the way you would have others do unto you. We are a fun community and want to keep it this way. We have a moderator, but we’d rather let him enjoy the game instead of having to play babysitter.

Enjoy the match!