Composure!Top accolades this week, i think i will give it to Eniola Aluko.Aluko scored her 1st goal and Saint Louis Athletica's 3rd goal against the Washington Freedom at the SoccerPlex Stadium in Maryland. In an exciting yet physical and emotional match the game ended 3-3 with the Freedom scoring 2 late goals to tie.
Aluko was played through in the 69th minute with a great pass over the top by substitute Keri Hanks. Aluko ran on to the ball and struck a perfect shot across the Freedom keeper while under pressure from the centre-back Becky Sauerbrunn. It was a well taken goal and should give her confidence going into future games. Aluko also played hard and was constantly dangerous in a match Athletica having been 3-1 after 75 minutes up should have closed out.
“I would have taken the win rather than score,” said Aluko. “The draw took away any joy that came with that goal. Everyone is very disappointed. To go 3-1 up in any game and lose it in the 90th minute and lose Daniela is very tough to take.”
Goal, Again!Kelly Smith once again has shown how much she means to the Boston Breakers . Scoring her 4th goal in as many games against LA Sol. Smith sat out against the Red Stars last match and boy! did they miss her. They were all over the place and were trampled 4-0. This weekend it was oh so different. Just 2 minutes into the game Smith struck a well placed shot to beat the previously unbeaten keeper Karina LeBlanc. She also displayed her superior skills in midfield against the likes of Shannon Boxx and Aly Wagner who had to use what ever method they could to stop her, it worked only when she was brought to ground. Smith takes the knocks and the accolades with aplomb.
"There was a lot of hype, obviously," Smith said. "For me, it's not Marta v. Kelly. It's Boston v. L.A., and I'm all about the team performance. I was pleased to get on the scoresheet, but if other players score and we get three points every week, I'm happy as long as we're winning."
While Smith played a great game, it was the Breakers' back line of Alex Scott, Amy LePeilbet, Sue Weber and Heather Mitts -- along with goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill -- that kept Marta from looking dangerous and off the scoresheet. Scott had another solid game directly up against the best player in the world. Marta is fast but so is Scott and rarely did Marta get past her. Scott drove Marta into midfield to get the ball this way limiting her effectiveness and ultimately the Sol's game. As a consequence Scott did not do much attacking in this match. Looking forward to the replay in a bigger pitch and GRASS!
Anita Asante and Sky Blue FC were beaten by a single goal by FC Gold Pride. A Topsy turvey match with chances on both sides. The Sky Blue defence looked off the pace whenever the pacier Pride players were in and around the box. Asante possibly getting used to playing again with Christie Rampone was made to look slow at times, hesitating before clearing the ball. As a player she will need to be sharper against International teammate Karen Carney, Megan Rapinoe and Cristiane this weekend. As a unit the defence need to be more compact and alert to the offence of the only undefeated team in the league.
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