Sky Blue FC Vs Chicago Red Stars: Week 22 Preview

Off little rest and plagued by a stomach bug, the Chicago Red Stars continue their road trip in New Jersey against Sky Blue FC. Here is a full preview.

There’s a term in tech when programmers are closing in on a deadline and they need to work double overtime to get it done in time. It’s called a ‘death march.’ That is where the Chicago Red Stars are now.

On their third game in a single week and with teams closing in on their playoff spot, the Chicago Red Stars are reaching the end of their ‘death march’. They have survived so far with six points from six, but now comes the greatest challenge: Sky Blue FC.

It seems so weird to say that a team that has spent most of the season in last place is the biggest challenge to a team who spent time at first place, but this game is not quite what it seems. The Red Stars have yet to beat Sky Blue this season and have struggled to dispense with lesser opposition all season long.

There do not appear to be any new additions to the injury report other than Katie Johnson being unavailable due to suspension. However, there does seem to be a stomach bug going around the Chicago Red Stars camp. First, Arin Wright missed the match against Houston, then Vanessa DiBernardo was a late scratch against Orlando. We may well see another player go down before this next game unexpectedly. Not only that, but many of these players have now played a full 180 minutes so far this week, half of which came in sweltering Florida heat.

Sky Blue FC are no longer players in the NWSL Playoff Picture. And yet, they have only lost one out of their last four games and come into this game in decent form. It is unfortunate for Sky Blue, but they did not start performing well until they were already out of playoff contention. This coincided with the return of Carli Lloyd and a change in coaching, so that likely played a part too.

While Lloyd has returned and the performances have improved as a result, the Sky Blue’s most important player is the best goalkeeper in the league, Kailen Sheridan. With a league-leading 70 saves so far, she is sitting on the golden formula of goalkeeper stat-padding. Take an excellent shot-stopper, put them behind a very leaky defense, and just watch the magic unfold. And Sheridan really is magical.

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And the Chicago Red Stars should be wary of her — and the Sky Blue’s — unpredictable ability. They have been jumped by Sky Blue twice already this season, and with their fatigue factored into the equation, that could become a third time. It seems as though Sky Blue have figured the Red Stars out. Perhaps a change in gameplan, then, would be wise.

In the end, the Chicago Red Stars are fighting for their place in the playoffs. They need this win more than they needed those last two games against Sky Blue. It’s crunch time, and this Chicago team is filled with players who thrive under such pressure. They have been to the playoffs so many times and failed and I’m sure that they’re tired of losing. With expansion looming, this is their year to do it. Because in the death march, all you can do is keep on walking.

Projected XI:

Chicago Red Stars (4-2-3-1): Alyssa Naeher; Casey Short, Tierna Davidson, Julie Ertz, Sarah Gorden; Nikki Stanton, Danielle Colaprico; Yuki Nagasato, Savannah McCaskill, Morgan Brian; Sam Kerr

Sky Blue FC (4-3-1-2): Kailen Sheridan; Caprice Dydasco, Gina Lewandowski, Erica Skroski, Imani Dorsey; Raquel Rodriguez, Sarah Killion, Elizabeth Eddy; Carli Lloyd; Jen Hoy, Paige Monaghan

Next. Orlando Pride Vs Chicago Red Stars: 3 things we learned. dark

How To Watch:

Sunday, September 15th, 4:00 PM CDT; At Yurcak Field in Piscataway, NJ, on NBC Sportsnet Chicago, and online with the Yahoo Sports App

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