BOSTON BREAKERS 2 - 1 LA SOL

High Five!

Kelly Smith shows why she is important to the Boston Breakers and to the WPS.

The Breakers coming of of that 4 - 0 drubbing by Chicago Red Stars were determined to get the win and show their fans just how good they really are. With Smith back in the starting 11 and Amy Rodriguez dropped to the bench they put early pressure on the LA Sol. Heather Mitts set the play in motion with a feed to Kelly Schmedes 12 yards in front of the LA goal. Schmedes’ shot was deflected back to Smith, who fired the ball over Karina LeBlanc’s fingertips and into the upper right corner for the fastest goal in the league this season. 2 minutes on the clock. The Sol had just conceded their 1st goal and the Breakers were on their way.
They went up 2-0 in the 55th minute on a hard run upfield by defender Stacy Bishop, who dished to Kristine Lilly on the left flank. Lilly fought off LA defender Manya Makoski and beat LeBlanc on the far side.

The Boston defence dealt adequately with Marta and the rest of the Sol attack for most of the game. In fact Smith handed out high praise to her back unit. "....it was important to our defenders and keeper to show the level that they can play at. They’re the best defensive unit I’ve ever played with and today they showed it". Wow! high praise indeed from Smith considering the teams she has played with.

LA Sol at times had good possession and good passing. They got through the Boston defence at times but goals were marked off for offside.In the 1st half Marta had few chances but came alive in the 2nd half going on her typical runs from the left to inside. GK Kristin Luckenbill making the saves. They got their goal from an Aya Miyamo free-kick which Brittany Bock headed past Luckenbill in the 63rd minute. Tails up, the Sol pressed forward for the equaliser but the Breakers defence held strong sending most of the 8,031 strong crowd home happy.

"You knew they were going to come out well, and with fairness to them, they scored two quality goals with two quality finishes. I give them credit but I think we played a very good game as well and I was happy with the work we put in". LA Sol's coach Abner Rodgers

Lineups:

Boston Breakers: Kristin Luckinbill; Heather Mitts, Amy LePeilbet, Sue Weber, Alex Scott; Kelly Smith, Angela Hucles, Stacy Bishop; Kelly Schmedes (Kasey Moore: 76), Chritine Latham (Amy Rodriguez: 64), Kristine Lilly (c).

Los Angeles Sol: Karina LeBlanc; Manya Makoski, Matina Franko, Brittany Bock, Stephanie Cox; Camille Abily (Katie Larkin: 75), Shannon Boxx (c), Aya Miyama; Aly Wagner, Han Duan, Marta.