This was a big game for both sides: Washington Spirit was looking for their first win in six games while Sky Blue FC was searching for their first win this season. The two teams seemed evenly matched, the sole goal of the match being scored in the 64th minute.
For the first half, Sky Blue started off more consistently aggressive and stronger than they have in the past. They had a lot of momentum, unfortunately, their shots and crosses did not come together. Specifically, Janine Beckie had a tremendous first half, producing some great shots and crosses that just narrowly missed their targets.
Sky Blue FC needs, first and foremost, to work on precise passing and anticipatory play. A lot of times, Kaite Johnson and Carli Lloyd expect a run that never happens, and they end up passing into empty space for the opposing team to pick up. Other times, Sky Blue’s midfielders will pass the ball straight to the opposing team, without any Sky Blue player in sight. Since Sky Blue takes awhile to develop play, they have to focus on maintaining possession.
The only goal of the game came, as I stated before, at the 64th minute after a free-kick. Sky Blue’s Christina Gibbons committed a soft foul at about 25 yards out. Washington’s Andi Sullivan took the kick, chipping it above the defense, where Ashley Hatch was able to jump over Beckie and head it down, across the face of goal, and into the back of the net.
This Sky Blue team is, individually, incredibly skilled. It will take some time for these players and coaches to figure out what formula will work best. It’s been taking longer than one would expect, but once they figure out what that key is, this team can become unstoppable.
