WPS PREVIEW WEEK 7

Team on 3..1..2..3!

SAINT LOUIS ATHLETICA vs FC GOLD PRIDE SAT MAY 9th 8pm ET

Athletica coming off a disappointing week despite managing to break their scoring woes take on a Pride side on a high after winning their last match.
After what happened to Daniella, Athletica now need to pull together, show their team spirit, their work rate to get their maiden win.
Who will take the midfield role in place of Daniella? Lisa Stoia who has been playing well in midfield needs to take more of a lead, Captain Lori Chalupny may move from the defence to midfield. The defence has problems all of its own- Tina Ellertson who came of in the previous game, will she be fit? Kia McNeil is missing, we now know will be suspended.Can Hope Solo marshall a defence that let in 2 last minute goals? Some tinkering there needed from Coach Barcellos. At least they have started scoring goals. The strikers have got to be confident.Yes?
FC Gold Pride come into the game full of confidence again with their fast paced offence and talented players whom all can score goals.They Found it difficult to score against Sky Blue FC but they created lots of chances. They could fancy themselves against a bruised Athletica. Players to look out for Tiffany Weimer ( not in the recently released USWNT squad!!WHAT!!?) and Eriko Arkawa
My Prediction 1-1 draw (I'm playing safe)




Going tough on turf!

LOS ANGELES SOL vs BOSTON BREAKERS SUN MAY10th 4pm ET

It's all about revenge for the LA Sol on Sunday. Back to their larger field and grass surface at the Home Depot Center the Sol are looking to put on a better display and get the 3 pts which will keep them at the top of the league. Coach Abner said they are working on keeping the ball more and being more dangerous in the final 3rd. Also they need to give the ball to Marta in dangerous places..not back in midfield.Look to better performances from some of LA's players who toiled on the turf at Harvard stadium.Abner with no injury worries has a full squad to pick his best 11.
Boston look to continue their momentum to the top of the league. They know this will be a very different game than the one in Boston. Can Kelly Smith keep up her scoring in every game she has played? The defence as a unit had an excellent game last weekend. They will need to have another one this weekend. With the larger field the outside backs of Alex Scott and Heather Mitts will be under a lot more pressure.
My prediction 2-2 draw (High scoring)


All eyes on the ball!


CHICAGO RED STARS vs SKY BLUE FC SUN MAY 10th 6pm ET FSC

A rematch at Chicago again? So soon .. i know.. weird right? Anyway...
On April 11, the teams battled to a 0-0 draw on a cold, rainy day.Since the first meeting between them, each team has had a bye week and each team played one game, but with greatly different results. While Sky Blue suffered the 1-0 defeat to FC Gold Pride, Chicago staked its claim as the best team in WPS with a breakout performance. The Red Stars posted a resounding 4-0 victory over the Boston Breakers.Wingers Megan Rapinoe and Karen Carney will be eager to get on the scoring sheet again. Cristiane who missed the Boston game due to International duty could start upfront. Coach Hayes has said that Captain Frida Ostberg would remain in midfield so the defensive unit of Jonsson, Dalmy, Kryzsik, Dieke,Igwe now the best defence in the WPS will also remain unchanged.
Sky Blue will be hoping to see its fortunes change. With only one goal scored through four games, the biggest problem has been finding the back of the net. But while the scoring has been scant, it hasn’t been due to a lack of opportunities.In the team’s last match against FC Gold Pride, the Bay Area side had a couple of good chances early, but Sky Blue FC could have taken control of the game before halftime if the finishing had been better.Australian Sarah Walsh has looked good on occasions. She is very quick, just needs a bit of composure to finish off. Natasha Kai who was a 2nd half sub in the Pride game due to a mild concussion need to step up if healthy. Disappointing so far in the league. She is not in the recently released USWNT squad. The only way to get back in is to do a job for Sky Blue.
The encouraging note for them is that the team has not conceded very many goals at the other end of the field. The Blue's has allowed just 4 goals in 4 games with only the Red Stars and the LA Sol having conceded fewer. The defense was boosted by the return of defender and Captain Christie Rampone from a hamstring injury against FC Gold Pride but it wasn’t enough to get the win.
My prediction 3 - 1 home win (Sorry Sky Blue Fans)