Washington Freedom 2 - 1 Sky Blue FC

DeVanna magic!

The Washington Freedom claimed a 2-1 victory over Sky Blue FC at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. It was the 1st time since the WUSA days that the Freedom were playing at RFK Stadium and the 1st double-header with the MLS team DC United.
Washington named the same team that came away with a draw at Boston. Abby Wambach this time away on national team duty.Sky Blue FC on the other hand were without four starters with Christie Rampone and Heather O'Reilly (United States) and Kelly Parker (Canada) away for national team duty and Sarah Walsh was out with a hamstring injury.
Sky Blue FC had the better chances in the early going, but the Freedom took over as the opening half came to a close. In the eighth minute, Rosana made a nice move along the left sideline before crossing the ball to Kacey White in the box. White brought the ball down before striking a left-footed shot that was saved by Freedom keeper Erin McLeod.

Washington broke through in the 35th minute after earning a corner kick on the right side. Sonia Bompastor whipped the ball into the box and Cat Whitehill met the ball at the near post and flicked the ball into the goal.Washington continued to attack and in the 40th minute as Lisa De Vanna tried to sneak one in at the near post but missed wide. One minute later, Rebecca Moros had a goal disallowed after she received the final pass in an offside position.

The Freedom doubled the lead in the 43rd minute on a nice individual effort by De Vanna, who took advantage of a Sky Blue FC misplay, defender Anita Asante failing to trap a ball and miscontrolling it. De Vanna got the ball and carried it into the box from 40 yards out. After fending off the challenge of defender Keeley Dowling, the Australian striker rolled a shot inside the right post from 12 yards out.

Sky Blue FC came out strong in the second half and could have struck early on if not for a few great interventions from McLeod.

In the 47th minute, a nice combination between Kacey White and Natasha Kai left White behind in the left corner. White’s cross was deflected to the near post and McLeod had to tip the ball over the left post. On the following corner kick, Rosana snapped a header off the Collette McCallum serve but McLeod made a top-class diving save near the right post to parry the chance away.

Sky Blue FC finally broke through in the 66th minute on a play started by Jen Buczkowski on the right side of the midfield. She played a pass forward to the feet of Kai, who controlled the ball before slipping a perfect splitting ball behind for Rosana. The Brazilian midfielder was in alone and she slotted an easy finish into the lower right corner from 12 yards out.

Washington held on for a much needed win. There play improving and their defence showing some signs of resilience. Should set them up for a play-off place.

Sky Blue are in trouble. Not only on the field but off it as well. Head coach Ian Sawyer was suspended indefinatly by the club before the game. No information as to why as yet. Where do they go from here is any ones guess but as of right now they are short of confidence, in last place and well of the pace.

Washington Freedom Head Coach Jim Gabarra

On the first goal
“We’ve probably had a lot of corners; we hadn’t scored on any corner kicks so eventually the numbers game plays into that. I think Cat made a great run and Sonia’s been great with her serve.”

On the second goal

“They were a little tired and beat in the back and they were losing the ball, they weren’t having good touches. I actually yelled to Lisa, ‘come on, you’ve got to work’ and she stepped and pressed [the Sky Blue defense] and stole the ball and went on a breakaway and finished it nicely.”

Sky Blue FC Interim Head Coach Kelly Lindsey

On the final minutes of the game

"It felt good - our team did well, our bench was up, the fans were into it. I thought there were a lot of goal scoring opportunities and there were some dangerous moments and I think everyone enjoyed the last 15-20 minutes of the game."

Lineups:

Washington Freedom – Erin McLeod; Becky Sauerbrunn, Cat Whitehill (Capt), Alex Singer, Jill Gilbeau (Lisa DeDyker 64’); Homare Sawa, Sonia Bompastor, Lori Lindsey; Rebecca Moros, Lisa De Vanna (Parissa Eyorokon 78’), Allie Long (Emily Janss 90’)

Sky Blue FC – Jenni Branam; Julianne Sitch, Anita Asante (Capt), Keeley Dowling (Capt), Meghan Schnur; Jen Buczkowski, Collette McCallum; Yael Averbuch (Christie Shaner 67’), Rosana (Mele French 79’); Kacey White, Natasha Kai (Noelle Keselica 67’)