WPS PREVIEW WEEK 8

LA Sol vs Sky Blue FC Fri May 15th 10.30pm ET

The Los Angeles Sol and Sky Blue FC face off in front of a television audience on Universal Sports – the first of two Sol-Sky Blue FC games covered by Universal and the first Friday night game in WPS history. The two play each other for the second time this season with their previous match-up ending in a 2-0 Sol victory at TD Bank Park in early April. Los Angeles comes into the game atop the WPS standings for the seventh consecutive week since opening the season with a win in the WPS Inaugural Match, but the team has not won since a 1-0 victory over FC Gold Pride in Week 4. Chinese international Han Duan created some good opportunities against Boston last weekend, but the Sol offense will have to break out of their slump to overcome a stingy Sky Blue FC defense led by Christie Rampone. Having allowed only four goals this season has kept Sky Blue FC competitive in every game so far and helped lead them to their first win last weekend in a 2-0 upset of the Chicago Red Stars. With their offensive stars of Sarah Walsh, Collette McCallum, Natasha Kai and Heather O’Reilly finally clicking, one key goal could make the difference for either team in this cross-country match-up. For Sky Blue FC, it’s their fourth of five consecutive away games before returning home for a game on May 31. Only two WPS teams, Boston and Los Angeles, have been able to secure back-to-back victories so far this season, as Sky Blue FC looks to become the third team in WPS to follow-up a win with another victory.
My predictions 1-1 score draw.



We need to score!

Chicago Red Stars vs FC Gold Pride Sat May 16th 8.30pm ET
The Chicago Red Stars play host to FC Gold Pride for the first ever match-up between the two sides and the Red Stars fourth of five consecutive home games early in the 2009 season. The Red Stars became the last team to fall from the unbeaten ranks on Sunday with their upset loss to Sky Blue FC at Toyota Park. With a win last week, the Red Stars could have moved into first place in the WPS standings but instead remain in third place, three points behind league-leading Los Angeles, but only three points ahead of fifth-place teams Saint Louis, Washington and Sky Blue FC. The Red Stars continue to be led by the goalkeeping of Caroline Jönsson and the offensive touch of Lindsay Tarpley, but need more consistent contributions from 2008 U.S. Soccer Player of the Year Carli Lloyd. FC Gold Pride has shown moments of brilliance this season with some creative attacking soccer, but will need their offensive regulars to start scoring more consistently. In the past two weeks, FC Gold has seen only a converted defender, Leigh Ann Robinson playing at forward, hit the back of the net.
My prediction 2-1 Chicago






Boston Breakers vs Washington Freedom
Sun May 17th 6.oopm ET FSC

The Boston Breakers and Washington Freedom will face each other for the second time this season in the televised FSC game on Sunday. After maintaining their number two spot in WPS Standings with a win and tie, taking four of six points in a home-and-away series against the Los Angeles Sol, the Breakers look ahead to get their younger players on the scoreboard. The Washington Freedom will play without Abby Wambach, out on suspension for one game, and plan to close the gaps in a defense that has allowed a league leading 12 goals.
Offensive veterans, Kelly Smith, Kristine Lilly, Angela Hucles, and Christine Latham have scored all eight of Boston’s goals this season. Half of those goals came from the English superstar, Smith, and Lilly has tallied two. Coach Tony DiCicco is looking for more from striker Amy Rodriguez who has came on as a sub in the last 2 games.
Washington will look to Sonia Bompastor in the abscenec of Abby Wambach to pack a punch at the Boston defence. Washington's own defence will need to improve hugely against Smith & co.The team has struggled to organize defensively. Having allowed the most goals in the league, Washington’s center back, Cat Whitehill, will be vital to pumping up the Freedom’s defensive confidence. The arrival of the long awaited Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod should also re-energize the defense.
My prediction 2-1 Boston win

preview by womensprosoccer.com