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NWSL releases season schedule for WNY Flash

blog by Ben Tsujimoto  • 

The quest for a fourth-straight title will be the toughest slate yet for the Western New York Flash, who debut with two road matches before their home opener on April 27 at Sahlen’s Stadium.

Today, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) unveiled the regular season schedule for its eight teams— including the Flash—and the campaign will run from April 13 to Aug. 18 with two semifinals on Aug. 24 and the NWSL Championship on Aug. 31.

The Flash released season ticket information shortly after the New Year, and you can find all those details here.

Here’s a quick rundown on the Flash’s home opponents:

April 27, 7:35 p.m. vs. Boston Breakers
Boston’s marquee players: Forward Sydney Leroux, midfielder Heather O’Reilly, defender Heather Mitts and returnees forward-midfielder Katie Schoepfer and forward Kyah Simon. The attacking duo of Leroux and Simon is particularly worrisome, as their speed and tenacity will make life easy on O’Reilly.

May 1, 7:05 p.m. vs. Sky Blue:
Sky Blue’s marquee players: Former Flash midfielder Katy Frierson, defensive midfielder Brittany Bock, goalie Brittany Cameron as well as international Christie Rampone (D), Kelley O’Hara (D/MD) and first-round pick Lindsi Lisonbee-Cutshall. This back line is going to be TOUGH to penetrate.

May 11, 7:35 vs. FC Kansas City:
FC Kansas City’s marquee players: Former Philly (WPS) star Sinead Farrelly, third overall pick in NWSL College Draft Kristen Mewis, U.S. goalie Nicole Barnhart, midfielder Lauren Cheney and defender Becky Sauerbrunn. Forward Melissa Henderson gives KC a little attacking flair, while Leigh-Ann Robinson will likely pair with Sauerbrunn in the back.

May 24, 7:05 vs. Chicago Red Stars:
Chicago’s marquee players
: Returnees Lori Chalupny, Lauren Fowlkes and Ella Masar, as well as former Breaker Leslie Osborne, U.S. pool forward Lindsay Tarpley, midfielder Shannon Boxx and defender Amy LePeilbet. Rory Dames’ club is well-stocked with talent but may be a little short on speed (Masar aside, of course).

June 23, 4:05 p.m. vs. Seattle Reign:
Seattle’s marquee players
: Goalie Hope Solo, defender Nikki Krzysik, midfielders Megan Rapinoe (only available in July & August due to contract obligations in France) and Teresa Noyola, and forward Lindsay Taylor (Noyola’s college teammate at Stanford). Loads of experience in the back and midfield and enticing youth in the attacking third.

June 28, 7:05 p.m. vs. Washington Spirit:
Washington’s marquee players
: Former Flash star goalie Ashlyn Harris, midfielders Stephanie Ochs and Lori Lindsey, and defenders Tori Huster and Candace Chapman will return to Western New York joined by recovering U.S. international Ali Krieger, charismatic forward Tasha Kai and blossoming midfielder Ingrid Wells.

July 21, 4:05 p.m. vs. Sky Blue: (See above for marquee players)

July 31, 7:05 p.m. vs. Washington Spirit: (See above for marquee players)

Aug. 10, 7:35 p.m. vs. Portland Thorns:
Portland’s marquee players
: Aug. 10 marks the return of Alex Morgan to Western New York in the Flash’s penultimate game of the regular season. While it’s awfully presumptuous to say that this will be a preview of the NWSL Final, the Portland Thorns are stacked. Christine Sinclair, Nikki Marshall and Becky Edwards return to WNY, too, and Tobin Heath, Allie Long and Rachel Buehler found out the Thorns’ stars.

Aug. 17, 7:35 p.m. vs. Boston Breakers: (See above for marquee players).

TAGGED: abby wambach, alex morgan, national women's soccer league, nwsl, western new york flash, wny flash, women's soccer

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