WPS PLAYOFF - 1ST ROUND

Washington Freedom v NJ Sky Blue FC Sat Aug 15th 4pm ET Live FSN , CSN , Webcast

This WPS First Round will be a re-match of last week’s playoff clinching match-up at the Maryland SoccerPlex, between the Washington Freedom and NJ Sky Blue FC.

It's the last chance for both teams to advance. No get out clauses this time.The rematch was made possible when Boston lost to Los Angeles, clinching a spot for Sky Blue FC.

The Freedom are coming in hot, having won four of their last five games and were a solid 5-2-3 at home this year, the second-best home record in the league (some games played at RFK Stadium).

Sky Blue are coming in confident as well despite the defeat to Washington. They have had more time in training to get the confidence and tactics right.

Both teams are missing players to the Euro 2009. Washington will miss their bright spark French international Sonia Bompastor and Sky Blue will miss the pacy English defender Anita Asante and Goalkeeper Karen Bardsley who was also called by England.

Both teams will need to be mindful of the goals they concede. In the 3 matches already between the sides the Freedom outscored Sky Blue 9-6.

Sky Blue will have to find a way to contain strikers Abby Wambach and Lisa De Vanna. Two pacy players without the speed of Asante.

The Washington defence will keep their eyes on striker Natasha Kai. Kai herself will be looking to take the many chances she will almost certainly get during the game.

The winner can look forward to a match with the Saint Louis Athletica who are waiting in the Super Semi- Final on Wednesday evening.