Sky Blue FC were able to edge out a tie against number 4 Portland Thorns, 1-1. Unfortunately for the New Jersey team, they get a point but lengthen their winless streak to 12 games, breaking the NWSL record.
This game was a pinnacle moment in Sky Blue’s progress to be able to get their first win of the season. Defensively this was Sky Blue’s best game, they were compact and in-sync. They made a couple inconsequential errors, but the back-line was a solid unit. Specifically, Sky Blue’s Mandy Freeman has been a key player in this team’s back-line. She’s aggressive and smart, making important, clean tackles, and she keeps her team in check. Sky Blue has been notorious for their defensive mistakes in the past season and a half, a game like this will definitely give them the push they need.
Offensively, we saw the same laid-back style in the first half that has defined Sky Blue this season. But in the second half, especially after their tying goal, Sky Blue lit a fire beneath themselves and became the serious threat that everyone has expected of them. In the first half, Sky Blue played too narrow, unwilling to use the width of the field. They were reacting to the ball instead of anticipating it, which lost them many chances. After halftime, they were able to figure things out and move in a more positive direction, especially after substituting Raquel Rodriguez on.
In the 45th minute of the first half, Sky Blue’s Carli Lloyd conceded a foul on Portland Thorns’ Lindsey Horan at about 35 yards out. Meghan Klingenberg took the kick, which Thorns’ striker, Christine Sinclair, headed on goal until it was redirected by Horan’s header, making it impossible for Kailen Sheridan to save it.
It took another foul to level the scoring. In the 76th minute, Lloyd took the ball into the Thorns’ box, heading towards the end-line when Thorns’ midfielder Celeste Boureille tripped her, conceding a penalty. Lloyd gladly took advantage of the opportunity, converting the goal a minute later. She buried to ball past Thorns’ goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, despite the keeper guessing the right direction. Lloyd’s power made the difference.
As I said earlier, this goal seemingly inspired Sky Blue as they pushed themselves to go for the win, rather than sitting back and taking the point. The movement produced in this half was some of the best offensive play I’ve seen out of Sky Blue this season. I’ve been saying for weeks that Sky Blue was on the verge of a win, and they seem to be getting closer every day.
