Sporting Club Jacksonville women's soccer returns to Gainbridge Super League action Aug. 30 against the Tampa Bay Sun. Here's what fans need to know.
Gainbridge Super League: Women's soccer preview
Who: Sporting Club Jacksonville at Tampa Bay Sun.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30.
Where: Riverfront Stadium, Howard W. Blake High School, Tampa.
Watch it: Streaming on Peacock.
Last week: Sporting Jax lost 3-1 vs. DC Power FC; Tampa Bay lost 2-1 vs. Brooklyn FC.
Target practice: The lesson from the storm-delayed opener, where Sporting dominated possession but lost to a defensive-minded, efficient DC Power: Finish those scoring chances. Miscues in the attacking third sank Sporting Aug. 23, but head coach Stacey Balaam was more pleased with the midfield's tenacity in regaining possession: "Our recovery to win the ball back and go again was exceptional."
The opposite sideline: Sporting Jax's first-ever league road trip is no walk in the park: Tampa Bay won the inaugural USL Super League title in June. Tampa Bay's lineup includes abundant international experience, including goalkeeper Sydney Schneider from Jamaica's World Cup squad and midfielder Sandrine Gaillard from Switzerland's World Cup and European Championship team.
Injury watch: Parker Roberts remains out indefinitely with a knee injury, but wing midfielder Caroline Murray returned to training this week after exiting at halftime of Sporting Jax's opener.
Quote of the week: "Whether that comes from individual quality or we end up breaking them down with a little combination play or a good cross and finish, there's ways to break [defenses] down. I just don't think we were efficient enough in doing it." -- Balaam.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Sporting Jax: Tampa Bay Sun women's soccer preview, Aug. 30
Category: General Sports
