The Washington Freedom took a much needed win against the Saint Louis Athletica at RFK Stadium, Washington on Saturday evening. In the double header with MLS’s DC United in front of a 4600 strong crowd, the Freedom missing Captain Abby Wambach , centre-back Cat Whitehill and GK Erin McLeod to international duty took the tie 1-0 to boost their chances in making the WPS playoffs.
The winning goal came in the 74th minute from the Japanese midfielder Homare Sawa who burst on to the ball in the box and struck the ball towards goal. The ball took a slight deflection of Athletica defender Kia McNeil to go past GK Jillian Loyden in for the missing Hope Solo.
Saint Louis started the 1st half well with defender Nikki Cross playing as a forward getting a chance in 10th minute. Amanda Cinalli crossing the ball into the box and Cross beating the Freedom GK Kati Jo Spisak but hitting the side netting.Cross got another chance on 20 minutes where she headed a ball towards goal, this time Spisak tipped the ball over the bar.
Eniola Aluko made several darting runs and was full of energy on the hot day even though she had just arrived back the day before from England after playing the full 90 minutes of England’s friendly against Iceland on Thursday.
Athletica looked the better side in the 1st half even though they were missing the industry and penetration in midfield of their captain Lori Chalupny. Washington with a much changed backline held strong.
Into the second half Washington saw more of the ball and Sonia Bompastor who was Captain in the absence of Wambach and Whitehill started to take control of the midfield.
The heat looked to play a big part as the play slowed down dramatically.
On the 64th minute the Freedom had drama of their own. Goalkeeper Spisak suffered a quad injury and GK Coach Nicci Wright had to come on. Wright was on the bench due to McLeod on international duty with Canada and Briana Scurry out injured.
Athletica failed to test the 36 yr old keeper and didn’t create many chances in the 2nd half.
In the 74th minute Kendall Fletcher lost the ball at the top of the box and Sawa latched on to the ball to drive into the penalty box to score the goal giving the Freedom the Win.
With the win, Washington (5-6-5, 20 points) jumped into fourth place in the WPS standings. Saint Louis (7-6-2, 23 points) remain in 2nd.This could all change later this weekend though.
Washington has four games left, while Saint Louis has five left. Three playoff spots are still up for grabs. Washington returns to action Sunday, July 26th, playing at the Chicago Red Stars. Saint Louis takes the pitch again Wednesday, July 22nd against Sky Blue FC.
“Near the end of the game, they weren’t able to put on any pressure and get any clear chances. Defensively we were solid; it was nice to have a coach back there organizing things,” said Freedom head coach Jim Gabarra.
“It’s so different when you’re out of it…it’s more of a mental issue,” Nicci Wright said of her abrupt return from retirement. “I retired for a reason, because I wanted to coach.”
“There’s a feeling of relief when [the ball] makes it into your hands…[you] get that first save and you’re kinda like, I’m fine, I’m okay.”
"It's pretty frustrating," said defender Tina Ellertson. "We really wanted to get a win because it's the last time we play them. We thought we were prepared and united together, but we didn't capitalize when we should and they did. It's unfortunate."
"We tried to (challenge her)," said Athletica forward Eniola Aluko, "but we couldn't even get the ball to the top (of the penalty box). It was tough to get to areas where we could shoot. It was frustrating."
Lineup:
Washington Freedom : Kati Jo Spisak(Nicci Wright 64); Jill Gilbeau, Alex Singer, Becky Sauerbrunn; Sarah Senty ;Lori Lindsey, Sonia Bompastor (C) , Homare Sawa, Alex Krieger(Joanna Lohman 79 ); Lisa De Vanna, Rebacca Moros.(Allie Long 59)
Saint Louis Athletica: Jillian Loyden;Stephanie Logterman (Kia McNeill 63), Sarah Larsson, Tina Ellertson (C), Elise Weber; Lisa Stoia, Amanda Cinalli (Erin Walter 46), Angie Woznuk, Kendall Fletcher;Nikki Cross (Sarah Walsh 68), Eniola Aluko
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Post a Comment