Sky Blue FC and Orlando Pride both ended losing streaks with a 1-1 draw but the result combined with the Flash earning a point in Boston extinguished Sky Blue’s playoff chances. The upstart New Jersey club reached fourth place after beating the Spirit in July but have not won in four matches since. The Pride had lost five straight and were already eliminated from playoff contention. The draw was their first in club histiory and snapped an NWSL record 17-straight matches without one.
Alex Morgan put the Pride on top in the 23rd minute when she got on the end of a through ball and beat Caroline Casey to put the visitors on top. Sky Blue equalized in the 80th when Sam Kerr played a gorgeous ball in to Maya Hayes. Pride keeper Ashlyn Harris made a stout, kick save but Kerr followed up the play and had an easy finish to equalize. Harris had made an earlier save on Leah Galton but Tasha Kai put the rebound wide.
The result leaves Sky Blue (6-7-5, 23 pts) are six points out of a playoff spot but cannot win any tiebreakers. The Pride (6-11-1, 19 pts) earning a point means the Breakers will finish last for the second year running. The teams will meet again Saturday in Orlando.
