WPS PREVIEW WEEK 10

Crash!Round 2

Los Angeles Sol vs Saint Louis Athletica Sat May 30 7.00pm ET

Two of the hottest teams in the league face off at the Home Depot Center with Saint Louis – carrying a 2-0-2 record over the past four games – taking on Los Angeles, which has won its last two games. The two played to a scoreless draw on April 25 in St. Louis, which began the Athletica’s four-game unbeaten streak and also ended the Sol’s 3-game winning streak to start the season. Athletica coach Jorge Barcellos has made the necessary adjustments following the loss of star Daniela to injury, getting contributions from Eniola Aluko and recently-acquired Kendall Fletcher. Lori Chalupny continues to develop into a dominant game changer, while Hope Solo returns from national team duty, having seen her fellow teammate and keeper Jillian Loyden capture WPS Player of the Week honors. The Sol continue to be the dominant defensive team in the league giving up a paltry 0.25 goals per game through eight games. Han Duan notched her first WPS goal in Week 9 finally demonstrating that the Sol’s other standout internationals can contribute to the scoring beyond Brazilian sensation Marta.
My prediction 1-0 home win Sol.





Who will be cheering the loudest?


Washington Freedom vs FC Gold Pride Sun May 31 4.00pm ET

The Washington Freedom come into the game having moved up the WPS standings with a four-game unbeaten streak at 2-0-2 following an 0-2-1 start to the season. The Freedom have fond memories of their first game against FC Gold Pride, in which they notched their first WPS victory, 4-3, through a stunning injury-time goal by Abby Wambach in one of the most exciting games of the young season so far. Look for another high-scoring affair on the East Coast return match. The Freedom have not lost a game since and now sit in fourth-place in the WPS standings, just one point behind FC Gold, with a game in hand. They will also have the services of Wambach again, after missing a game due to suspension and last week’s victory over Sky Blue FC as a result of national team duty. The Pride has been up and down this season with exciting performances one week and less solid games in other weeks. Albertin Montoya’s side has been shut out on three occasions this year – all losses – and have given up 10 goals on the season, second only to Freedom’s 14 goals surrendered.
My prediction 3-0 home win Washington.



Standing strong!


Sky Blue FC vs Boston Breakers Sun May 31 6.00pm ET FSC

The first match-up of these Northeast teams in WPS and the first game at Rutgers’ Yurcak Field following a five-game road trip for Sky Blue FC. Boston comes in refreshed from a bye week, while Sky Blue FC has lost two hard-fought, close one-goal decisions that have dropped them to the bottom of the WPS standings. Sky Blue FC recently suspended head coach and GM Ian Sawyers for differences with the team’s ownership and were led by interim coach Kelly Lindsey’s in last weekend’s game. But New Jersey has faced adversity before. Three weeks ago, they traveled to Chicago – the hottest team in the league at the time – looking for their first win and dismantled the Red Stars, 2-0, to win at Toyota Park. They need a big game and strong leadership from Captain Christie Rampone to see this match through.The Boston Breakers feature star Kelly Smith, making her return to New Jersey this weekend where she played college soccer for Seton Hall. The team relies heavily on its veterans. Boston is has won 3 lost 1 when Smith scores a goal and won 2 lost 0 when Kristine Lilly scores.
My prediction 2-0 away win Boston

Previews by soccer365.com