WPS PREVIEW WEEK 18

Boston Breakers v NJ Sky Blue FC Sat July 25th 7pm ET

The Boston Breakers can clinch a playoff berth this weekend as they return home to face northeast nemesis Sky Blue FC in WPS action Saturday at 7 p.m. (ET) at Harvard Stadium. A Boston win and a Washington loss on Sunday would clinch a playoff spot for the Breakers.

Sky Blue FC have won all three previous meetings between the two.

A win on Saturday by Boston would put them back in second with a one-point lead over Athletica, pending Saint Louis’ match Sunday versus FC Gold Pride. The Los Angeles Sol clinched the regular season title last night, meaning teams are now playing to host the Super Semifinal (August 18 or 19) as the second seed.

The Breakers coming off a 1-0 win against FC Gold Pride will have all their national team players back. Expect to see Alex Scott, Amy LePeilbet, Candace Chapman and Heather Mitts all return to the backline.Kelly Smith is still doubtful with a knee injury. She didn't play any games while on International duty with England.

Sky Blue FC are still in fourth place despite the loss Wednesday at Saint Louis. They currently are two points in front of the Washington Freedom for the fourth and final playoff spot, but have played one more match than the Freedom. The New Jersey club will have to play without captain and starting central defender Christie Rampone, who underwent emergency abdominal surgery while with the U.S. National Team in Rochester, N.Y. last week. She is hopeful to return to action by the end of the season. But they welcome back English star Anita Asante and Heather O'Reilly.

All three previous meetings were determined by just one goal. Sky Blue FC won the first two matches at home, 2-1, on May 31 and, 1-0, on July 4. They then took the first meeting in Boston, 2-1, on July 12.

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Chicago Red Stars v Washington Freedom Sun July 26th 4pm ET Live Webcast

The Washington Freedom travels to Chicago this Sunday to face the Red Stars at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. It will be the fourth and final regular season meeting between the two teams.

The Freedom will be looking for their first win against the Red Stars, as they have drawn 1 and lost twice to them, the last lost being at Toyota park last month where Chicago made WPS history coming from behind to win.

Chicago are coming of a defeat by Sky Blue FC in their previous match which kept them in 6th place in the WPS standings. A win would keep them in contention for a playoff spot.
Carli Lloyd, Lindsey Tarpley,Megan Rapinoe and Karen Carney all return from their national teams.

The Freedom, on the other hand played a hard-fought battle with Saint Louis Athletica and came away with the win and the shutout, their third of the season.Abby Wambach, Cat Whitehill and Erin McLeod will slot back into the starting 11.

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Saint Louis Athletica v FC Gold Pride Sun July 26th 6pm ET Live FSC and Webcast

Saint Louis Athletica and FC Gold Pride both enter Sunday’s match at The Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park in Fenton, Mo. on the brink. All eyes will be on them and so will the Fox Soccer camera's.

A must win for different reasons for the two teams.

For second-place Saint Louis, a victory combined with a Sky Blue FC loss or tie in its match Saturday versus the Boston Breakers will secure a post-season berth for the Athletica.
For last-place FC Gold Pride, who enters the match with a nine-game winless streak, a loss will officially eliminate them from the playoff hunt.

With four games left each, the Pride is in dire straits needing to earn three points in every remaining match to have a shot at the post-season, while the Athletica is looking to earn maximum points to secure a second-place finish and a bye into the WPS Super Semifinal.

Hope Solo and Melissa Tancredi return for Athletica. Defender Niki Cross will continue her stance up top to compliment striker Eniola Aluko.
Gold Pride will welcome back defender Rachel Buehler and more importantly forward Christie Sinclair.

Will the Athletica clinch a playoff berth? With FC Gold Pride be eliminated from the post-season chase? Exciting stuff!