FC Gold Pride returned to the their true form on Saturday snapping the team’s 10-game winless skid with a 3-2 victory over the third place Washington Freedom.
Washington Freedom missed a glorious opportunity to clinch that playoff spot. They only needed a win.
Throughout the first 45 minutes of play, pressure mounted in the defensive third of each team’s respective half. Both the Pride and Freedom were able to capitalize on their opportunities, the Freedom finding the back of the net twice and the Pride scoring once within the first half. Pride midfielder, Kim Yokers scored the first goal of her WPS career in the 8th minute of play off an offensive attack initiated by Tina DiMartino and Christine Sinclair. Shortly thereafter the Freedom responded, seeing Homare Sawa score her 2nd and 3rd goals of the season in the 17th and 37th minutes. The overall play was aggressive as each team battled hard and utilized their physical play to penetrate their opponent’s defensive line.
The second half proved to bring the same intensity as the first. Pride forward, Tiffeny Milbrett quickly tied up the match, scoring her 4th goal of the season early in the second half. Both teams continued to fight, creating dangerous chances in the goalmouths of both keepers. Brazilian forward for the Pride, Adriane scored the team’s game winning goal after having come into the match late into the second half. Adriane scored in the 83rdminute, putting Bay Area ahead 3-2. Washington was unable to counter the Pride’s attack, resulting in a victory and marking the official end of the FC Gold Pride’s ten-game winless streak. The win also kept the Freedom from clinching a playoff berth.
For the game both teams finished with 12 shots and seven on goal while the Gold Pride had an 8-1 edge in corner kicks.
Freedom goalie Erin McLeod finished with four saves while Allison Whitworth managed five saves.
Washington's last game of the regular season is at home against Sky Blue FC on Saturday 8th August. A win would put them in the playoffs.
Ironically Gold Pride's last game will also be against Sky Blue FC at Yurcak Field on Wednesday 5th August. Can they do Washington a favour?
“Aside from the two goals, they didn’t create much, we were being dangerous, I liked the way we were playing and I told them we were going to go out and win this game,” said Pride head coach Albertin Montoya.
“Tonight we ran out of gas in the second half and I think it is the result of logging a lot of travel miles and games in the past week,” said Washington Freedom head coach Jim Gabarra. “When you are tired you don’t always get as close as you want defensively or make that final pass. Overall, though I am proud of how they played tonight.”
Lineups:
FC Gold Pride: Allison Whitmore, Lindsay Massengale, Carrie Dew , Kristen Graczyk, Rachel Buehler (C) , Tina Di Martino,Kimberley Yokers (Leslie Osborne 56), Brandi Chastain (Leigh-Ann Robinson), Tiffany Millbrett, Christie Sinclair, Eriko Arkawa (Adriane 79)
Washington Freedom: Erin McLeod , Jill Gilbeau, Cat Whitehill, Becky Sauerbrunn, Sarah Senty (Allie Long 55), Homare Sawa , Joanna Lohman, Ali Krieger (Lori Lindsey 77), Sonia Bompastor, Rebecca Moros (Lisa De Vanna 58), Abby Wambach (C)
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