Sky Blue FC Vs OL Reign: 3 things we learned
By Drew Hubbard
Sky Blue FC and OL Reign closed out the first set of matches in the NWSL Challenge Cup with a 0-0 draw on Tuesday. Here are three things we learned.
On Tuesday, the NWSL Challenge Cup saw its first 0-0 draw when Sky Blue FC and OL Reign were both held scoreless to close out the first round of games. Both teams stayed committed to their shape early on and remained compact throughout as to not risk the opposition getting in behind. That made for some conservative play and few high-quality chances generated.
As the match went on, the teams grew more comfortable. The best chance of the game fell to Sky Blue who built out of the back starting with goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan and ending with Nahomi Kawasumi’s shot blocked by Lauren Barnes right in front of goal.
OL Reign had a chance to close out the match with all three points when Jasmyn Spencer broke through on a one-on-one with Sheridan but the Canadian keeper kept it out and helped earn her side a point in both team’s Challenge Cup debut.
With the first round of matches now done, here are three things we learned from the draw.
3. Two of the best keepers
The two keepers for this game are two of the best in the league, Kailen Sheridan for Sky Blue FC and Casey Murphy for OL Reign. Sheridan ended last season tied with Aubrey Bledsoe with the most saves, 86, while Murphy finished in third place with 73.
Neither keeper was really tested early on. Sheridan had to make a relatively easy save from Kristen McNabb on a shot from outside the box. That was the first of four saves Sheridan had to make in the match. Her counterpart ended with two saves.
Both these players are 24 and looking at potential call-ups for their senior national teams. Sheridan has made appearances for the Canadian side at youth level while Murphy has appeared for the USWNT youth teams as well.
While the USWNT starting keeper spot doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon with Alyssa Naeher filling that role, there are talks about Sheridan potentially filling Canada’s starting spot currently occupied by the North Carolina Courage’s Stephanie Labbe. Sheridan was called up with Canada in the 2019 World Cup.
The scoreline wasn’t anything exciting for fans, but it gave a glimpse at two of the best upcoming goalkeepers in the league.