2. Sky Blue FC midfield steals the show
Sky Blue FC’s midfield trio against Houston was one of the most influential parts for their success. McCall Zerboni, Sarah Woldmoe and Jennifer Cudjoe comprised the central trio in the 4-3-3 shape, starting together for the first time in this tournament. This was Cudjoe’s first start in the NWSL, and she made it count.
More from MLS Multiplex
- Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
- Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
- USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
- De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
- Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States
Cudjoe, who made her way to Sky Blue via an open tryout, was all over the field. She found space on the left, right and through the middle, and completing 82.9% of her passes. Zerboni joined Cudjoe in the midfield. She, too, covered all over the field, winning balls and redistributing them to instigate attacks. Maintaining her role as a box-to-box midfielder allowed the other attacking players like Kawasumi to work their magic in more advanced areas of the pitch.
Woldmoe, meanwhile, will not steal the headlines, but she turned in a good performance to make up the midfield trio. She ended the day completing 90% of her passes, forming a strong right side that consisted of Margaret Purce and goalscorer Paige Monaghan.
Sky Blue played their best game yet of the Challenge Cup. And it all stemmed from a midfield that ran the game, earned all three points, and truly shook up the standings.