2019 NWSL Regular Season – Week 17

Sky Blue FC vs Chicago Red Stars

Yurcak Field. Piscataway, NJ

August 14 at 6:00 PM CT

CHICAGO — Chicago’s tough stretch of games in August continues with their second match in five days when they face Sky Blue FC on Wednesday, August 14. Kickoff form Yurcak Field is scheduled for 6:00 pm. CT. 

Where to Watch

TV: NBCSH+

Stream: Yahoo Sports

Additionally, authenticated regional subscribers of NBC Sports Chicago can watch the live stream of the game at NBCSportsChicago.com/WatchLive.

Opponent Form

Sky Blue FC could not replicate their impressive result against Portland two weeks ago when they suffered a 3-0 defeat against the Utah Royals last Wednesday. After they won two consecutive games for the first time since 2017 earlier this season, Sky Blue has only gained a point in their last five games. 

Storylines

Cross Me: We wouldn’t blame you for checking your TV screen after Chicago’s goal against Washington on Saturday, but we promise you it’s working just fine. So has Chicago’s offense, who thanks to Casey Short has scored a goal from a cross in the last three weeks. The Naperville native has put defenders on skates and whipped in a cross that’s connected with Sam Kerr and Yuki Nagasato for goals. Before that, Arin Wright provided a dime of a pass to Vanessa DiBernardo for the equalizer in Chicago’s 2-1 win over North Carolina. 

Summer Friends: Chicago defenders Sarah Gorden and Short continued their great run of form last week against Washington. Short got the assist but was also defensively solid. She led the team in interceptions (3) and was second on the team in possessions gained (9) on Saturday. However, the true ballhawk on the backline on Saturday was Gorden. She had the most touches (74) out of anyone at Maryland SoccerPlex. She led the team in total passes and possessions gained while having the second-best passing accuracy for Chicago. Both defenders were on July’s NWSL Team of the Month and continue to be on fire as August progresses, being part of a Chicago defense that has allowed one goal in their last five games. 

Might need security: Another gameday, another tough goalkeeper to face. After getting a goal past the league saves leader in Aubrey Bledsoe on Saturday, Chicago shifts their focus to Sky Blue’s Kailen Sheridan, who earned a spot on July’s NWSL Team of the Month. The goalkeeper ranks second in saves this season with 49 but ranks third this season in goal against per game for goalkeepers who’ve appeared in 10+ games this season. Sheridan’s ability was on full-display against Chicago last month when they claimed three points on Red Stars home soil. Against one of the top-scoring offenses in the league, she had seven saves and only allowed what proved to be a consolation goal for Chicago as she helped Sky Blue get their first win of the season in a 2-1 victory. 

Everybody’s Something: Speaking of the last time Chicago and Sky Blue FC met, the visitor’s 2-1 win over the Red Stars earlier in the season is another example of Sky Blue rising up to their opponent. Against the current four teams in the NWSL Playoffs, Sky Blue has only lost twice, earning a point in four of the six games played against North Carolina, Portland, Reign FC, and Chicago this season. Two weeks ago against Portland, Sky Blue overcame an early deficit to earn a draw and earlier in the season they held the league’s best offense scoreless in a 0-0 draw against North Carolina.