NWSL COG 11
/COG 11 is here, but it's singular. "Collection of Game." Is a collection technically able to have one item? Of course it is. An art collector might have just one item, right? Shh. I'll allow it. In any case, there is only one match to talk about this weekend, and it will be over by the time we sleep tonight.
So we've got one game to watch. Who, exactly will be starting for the Washington Spirit and Sky Blue FC? The options are limited. Let's take a look.
What Happened in COG 10?
Waaaaaaay back on Wednesday last week, the NC Courage went to Portland. They dominated from whistle to whistle and emerged with 3 points on a 4-1 scoreline. Yikes. They'd stay undefeated on Sunday in Houston (despite being without their Internationals), earning a 1-1 draw to propel them to 30 points through 12 matches.
Elsewhere, the Utah Royals went to New Jersey and handed Sky Blue a 2-1 defeat, Washington couldn't keep the Red Stars out of the goal in Maryland as they lost 2-0, and all the goals were locked closed for Orlando and Seattle as they settled for a scoreless draw beneath the Space Needle.
The Courage remain the class of the league, and nobody is even a convincing second. The next six teams sit on 14-18 points, with only Washington and Sky Blue lagging behind on 8 and 1 point(s), respectively. The good news is that at least one of these two sides will earn points tonight.
Washington Spirit at Sky Blue FC
Friday at 7PM Eastern on Go90
Let's play a game. Well, not this game—instead let's play a game to try to see who might play this game.
Sky Blue's Roster and Availability:
GK: Caroline Casey, Kailen Sheridan BOTH AVAILABLE!
Defense: Mandy Freeman, Amanda Frisbie (Questionable-Neck), Christina Gibbons, Kayla Mills, Amandine Pierre-Louis, Domi Richardson, Erica Skroski (Questionable-Hamstring), Rebekah Stott (OUT-NZ)
Midfield: Daphne Corboz (OUT on Loan), Sarah Killion, Carli Lloyd (OUT-USA), Raquel Rodriguez (Questionable-Back), Thaisa Moreno (OUT-BRA), Madison Tiernan
Forward: Michaela Abam, Janine Beckie (OUT-CAN), Shea Groom, Jen Hoy (OUT-Knee), Katie Johnson, Adriana Leon (OUT-CAN), Savannah McCaskill (OUT-USA), McKenzie Meehan
So there are a total of 2 GK, 5 Defenders, 2 Midfielders and 4 Forwards fully fit for the match. Oh, and Defender Cassidy Benintente was signed as a National Team Replacement Player, so she's there too. Fun times.
For the Spirit (if the team lists a player at 2 positions, I list them in the first one of the categories below):
GK: Aubrey Bledsoe, Kelsey Wys (Questionable-knee)
Defense: Caprice Dydasco, Rebecca Quinn (OUT-CAN), Whitney Church, Taylor Smith, Morgan Proffitt, Schuyler DeBree, Estelle Johnson [Not too bad; defense pretty much all present and accounted for!]
Midfield: Andi Sullivan, Meggie Dougherty-Howard, Havana Solaun (OUT-Knee), Estephania Banini, Joanna Lohman, Rose Lavelle (OUT-USA), Tori Huster (Questionable-Groin), Maddie Huster (A National Team Replacement player and, yes, Tori's sister), Yanara Aedo (OUT-CHI)
Forward: Arielle Ship (OUT-ACL Recovery), Mal Pugh (OUT-Knee), Francisca Ordega (OUT-NGA), Cali Farquarson (OUT-D45), Cheyna Matthews (OUT-Pregnancy), Mallory Eubanks (OUT-Ankle), Ashley Hatch (Questionable-Hip Flexor), Tiffany Weimer
Sky Blue will not look like this tonight. Not even close. Photo: Anya Button (ADB Photos)
This cupboard doesn't look quite as empty, and that's good news for the Spirit.
It's going to be an odd match, as neither side will be fielding an XI the likes of which we've ever seen. But the Spirit has better depth and should be able to move the ball better through the midfield. That will go a long way towards keeping possession and providing opportunities for a somewhat limited Hatch and perhaps Ocho and/or DeBree to work free up top.
SPIRIT FANS REJOICE! A road win may be in the cards tonight. I'm hoping for a Tiff Weimer goal. It would also make a pretty nice story for the Huster sisters to win in their first professional match together. Let's make it happen, world.
Washington Spirit 2-0 Sky Blue FC
