WPS PREVIEW WEEK 5

Eniola Aluko

St.Louis Athletica Vs LA Sol Saturday April 25th 4pm ET

St Louis have yet to win or even score a goal. The Sol have yet to lose or concede a goal.I suppose something is got to give or maybe we will see a 0-0 draw, that way keeping their records intact.
Athletica are coming of a bye week. Hopefully they were putting extra work into finding ways to score a goal. Expect a few changes in the starting 11 from the last match. Eniola Aluko has just got back from England after playing a friendly against Norway. We will just have to see how the hectic schedule and travel has affected her.She May be on the bench.Brazilian Francielle and Swedish defender Sara Larsson will not be available as they will be playing each other in a friendly International match. Athletica need to pick up the pace, they are lagging behind the leaders in the table.
LA Sol will be without without the services of some key players including Brazilian Marta, France's Camille Abily and Chinese striker Han Duan due to them being away with their National teams. The Sol will miss Marta as she has been on fine form for them scoring in their last 2 matches. Midfielder Aya Miyamo and WPS Player of the Week Aly Wagner will need to pick up the playmaking duties in their absence. Strikers Liz Bogus and Christie Welsh may start, but Marta has big boots to fill. St Louis have never had a better chance.
My prediction: 1-1

A-ROD

Chicago Red Stars Vs Boston Breakers Saturday April 25th 8.30pm ET

An exciting match between two good teams where there will be some familiar faces getting reacquainted with each other. Chicago's English star Karen Carney who has just returned from playing the full 90 minutes for England against Norway on Thursday will be looking to get one over against former Arsenal teammates Kelly Smith and Alex Scott. Chicago coach Emma Hayes who was the assistant coach at Arsenal will also be looking forward to meeting with her former players.Brazilian Cristiane is still with the Brazil national team so will be unavailable. Captain Frida Ostberg returns from suspension. Lindsey Tarpley, Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe all had better games offensively for the Red Stars against Sky Blue FC last week. Look for them to continue this and striker Ella Masar should get her starting position back.
The Boston Breakers are sitting in 2nd place in the league coming of the back of two wins. They are brimming with confidence. Kelly Smith and Alex Scott also played the full 90 mins against Norway. Both indicated they would love to play against their former coach and teammate.It could be a test of endurance and physical conditioning for them. The Breakers will be looking for USWNT player Amy Rodriguez to step up. Rodriguez has started all 3 games for Boston but hasn't really shown what she can do. With Smith possibly suffering a little A-Rod could net her 1st goal in the league.
My prediction : 1-1


Abby Wambach

FC Gold Pride Vs Washington Freedom Sunday 26th April 6pm ET FSC

After last weekend’s losses, FC Gold Pride and Washington Freedom will battle for three points in the televised match on Sunday. With national team call-ups for star players on each team, line-up changes are evident. FC Gold Pride will play without key Brazilians starters, Formiga and Erika, as well as Brandi Chastain, while Washington lose Sonia Bompastor to the French National Team.
FC Gold Pride could be without defender Carrie Dew who suffered a sprained LCL during last week’s 1-0 loss to the Sol, but is listed as probable for Sunday’s match. Beyond the midfield, FC Gold Pride is counting on their forwards to have a big impact on Sunday’s game, with Eriko Arakawa, Tiffany Weimer, and Christine Sinclair combining very well together thus far despite Arakawa being the only one to record a goal.
Washington Freedom are looking for their sometime dominance in games to result in their 1st win to stay in touch with the leaders. Striker Abby Wambach will be keen to get on the scoring chart sooner rather than later.Coach Jim Gabarra believes Wambach’s time will come and that her presence on the field is an offensive advantage in itself. She will need to do it without Bompastor's service.Homare Sawa and Strike partner Lisa DeVanna need to elevate their game. GK Erin McLeoad could start in place of Briana Scurry.
I expect a few goals as both teams offence really haven't kicked into gear yet.
My prediction : 2-2