:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50185411/web-size-copy-Banini-SB.0.0.jpg)
This year, the NWSL schedule is set up so teams play a regional rival four times over the course of the 20 game regular season. For the Washington Spirit, that means extra games against Sky Blue FC. The Spirit are in New Jersey for tonight's game before finishing the season series next week at the Maryland Soccerplex.
Last Saturday, the Spirit beat FC Kansas City 3-2 in a back-and-forth, very competitive game. The Spirit's attack was well-rounded throughout the game, but still required two Estefania Banini goals - including the league's goal of the week - to bring home all three points.
Sky Blue also had a competitive game last week against the last place Boston Breakers. On the road, Sky Blue won despite conceding two goals to the Breakers (the first time goal-shy Boston has scored more than one goal in a game all year). Erica Skroski, Leah Galton, and Sarah Killion each scored for the New Jersey side but the latter two are both listed on this week's injury report (Galton is probable with a hip issue, while Killion is questionable due to a quad strain). Attacking midfielder Raquel Rodriguez will also be out for Sky Blue since she played in Costa Rica's friendly against the United States last night.
The Spirit last faced Sky Blue in late June and the team delivered a poor first-half performance in a 2-1 loss to the New Jersey side. Washington's attack fell flat and Galton scorched the Spirit's backline and provided two assists. Washington will carry on without 5 starters due to next month's Olympics, but their injury report is blank aside from Laura Del Rio, who was placed on the season-ending injury list back in May.
Location: Yurcak Field (Piscataway, NJ)
Kick-off time: 7:00pm Eastern
Available TV: None
Available streaming: NWSL Soccer, free and non geo-blocked
Treat this as the gamethread for tonight's match.