Kelley O’Hara and Sam Kerr will take over as co-captains for Sky Blue FC. (Jeffrey Auger Photo)
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — With Christie Pearce sidelined with an accumulation of injuries, Sky Blue FC will utilize twin captains to replace the former U.S. international standout.
Sam Kerr and Kelley O’Hara will skipper the team the rest of the National Women’s Soccer League season, starting Saturday night against Seattle Reign FC (7-5-6, 27 points) at Yurcak Field. Sky Blue FC (7-9-2, 23) will play its first game without head coach Christy Holly, who left the team earlier this week.
This game is the third meeting of the season between Sky Blue FC and Seattle. It is the first time during the uear that the two clubs will square off in New Jersey. After drawing 1-1 on NWSL opening weekend in April, an epic seesaw match-up resulted the second time they met at Memorial Stadium in July. After Reign FC ran up a 4-0 advantage, a resilient Sky Blue FC side battled all the way back to level that contest at four goals apiece as the game headed into the final minutes. Unfortunately for Sky Blue FC, a Megan Rapinoe finish in the 87th minute shifted the lead back in favor of Seattle, which held on to claim the 5-4 result.
Sky Blue FC and Reign FC will miss key players on Saturday night. The visitors will playing without Rapinoe on Saturday as she rehabilitate a left knee meniscus tear. Forward Leah Galton and defender Erin Simon will also sit out for Sky Blue FC, as will midfielder Diana Matheson for Reign FC.
Seattle leads this series with a 4-3-5 overall record, including a 2-1-2 advantage in New Jersey.
