Prediction
Here is Soccer America Associate Editor Dean Caparaz’s prediction for the June 7 game: Carolina 3 New York 2
Preview
(all times ET) Thursday, June 7 – (7:30 pm) – New York (3-1-3, tied for 3rd place, 12 pts) at Carolina (2-4-1, tied for 6th place, 7 pts) (New York Metro Channel, CNN/SI regional). Season series: New York leads 1-0;
All-time regular-season series: New York leads 1-0 (New York leads 3-1 in aggregate goals).
Leading scorers: New York: F Tiffeny Milbrett (3 g, 1 a = 7 pts); Carolina: F Danielle Fotopoulos (5 g = 10 pts).
Did you know? In New York’s earlier meeting with Carolina, Power D Nel Fettig was credited with her club’s first goal of the match, though she claimed it should have been credited to Power F Tiffeny Milbrett. The goal tied the match, 1-1.
Key players out: New York: None; Carolina: D Nicole Roberts (tibia/fibula fracture in leg-R).
Notes: New York F Kerry Connors is questionable with a strained right hamstring. … Carolina D Staci Wilson is probable with a strained right hamstring. … Carolina is the hottest team in the league, with a 2-0-1 record in its last three games. Over that span, Coach Marcia McDermott’s team has scored eight goals. The absence of F Silvana Burtini — away with Canada — will test the Courage. Look for either Fotopoulos, whose starting spot Burtini assumed, or Wilson, whose defensive presence has been missed, to start in Burtini’s place. … Fettig, New York D Gro Espeseth, D Christie Pearce, M Sara Whalen and G Gao Hong have all played every minute (630) of the season so far. … Both teams are owned and operated by Time Warner Cable.
KEY MATCHUP: New York M Jen Lalor vs. Carolina M Hege Riise: Carolina generally possesses the ball more than its opponents, but the Courage didn’t face Jen Lalor, who was injured, the last time these two teams met. Lalor is no Riise, but the return of the 1995 U.S. World Cup veteran means the Power sees more of the ball than it did in its first few games. Meanwhile, Riise is arguably the best playmaker in the league.
SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Sandra Hunt; Assistant Referees: Sharon Wheeler (SAR), Dongho Kim (JAR). Fourth Official: Abbas Piran.
