Sky Blue FC did the unthinkable...they beat the Los Angeles Sol 1- 0 in Saturday's inaugural Women's Professional Soccer Championship Game at The Home Depot Center.
Heather O'Reilly's goal in the 16th minute was enough to see the New Jersey side come through in a remarkable season. You couldn't have scripted it any better.
Sky Blue, which finished fourth in the seven-team league with a 7-8-5 record and had to win two playoff games, both on the road, to reach the championship game, dominated the first half offensively, taking nine shots to one for the Sol and led 3-1 in shots on goal.
The scoring sequence began with a throw-in by Keely Dowling to Kacey White, who sent a cross to Natasha Kai. Kai redirected the ball with her head to O'Reilly, who put a shot from eight yards out past Sol goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc.
Los Angeles started the match flat and it got even worse. Defender Allison Falk was issued a red card in the 27th minute for tackling Kai from behind. The referee maybe thinking that Falk was the last man and prevented a scoring opportunity.
The Sol reeling from the shock had trouble keeping pace with Sky Blue for the rest of the half. Coach Abner Rogers subbed in defender Sharolta Nonen for winger McCall Zerboni in the 35th minute to tighten the defence but this left space in midfield.
Into the second half. Los Angeles came out with more fire in their bellies and were aggressive.Captain Shannon Boxx showed her team the way and was almost always on the attack.Unfortunately for her Sky Blue captain Christie Rampone was also leading the way for her team.Perfect innings for the coach as she snuffed out Marta on several occasions.
As the half wore on Sky Blue players looked out on their feet. The adrenalin they were running on was nearly at empty.Los Angeles were creating more and more chances.
In the 52nd minute midfielder Aya Miyama dribbled into the box, but O’Reilly made a clean, yet dangerous tackle to prevent a shot.The crowd screaming for a penalty. In the 71st minute, Boxx drilled a shot to the lower left corner, which Jenni Branam pushed out of bounds.
In the 84th minute, Marta took a dangerous shot that goalkeeper Branam parried just wide. On the ensuing corner kick, the ball fell to Boxx at the back post and her shot was bobbled by Branam. Los Angeles substitute Lyndsey Patterson tried to get a foot to the ball, but Branam was able to fall on it.
Sky Blue held on for the win in what was a truely remarkable season for them.
In our opinion a team that defeats the 3rd seed Washington Freedom, the 2nd seed Saint Louis Athletica and the 1st Seed Los Angeles Sol, teams they have never beaten before , all in a span of eight days really deserves to be champions. Well deserved!
After the match, O’Reilly was named the Most Valuable Player of the WPS Championship.
We will give it to Christie Rampone and a special mention to Shannon Boxx for a great game. She was awsome.
Well now to answer our questions we had in the preview...LA played well without Abily...in the 2nd half. Sky Blues' legs held out...just and Rampone won out over Boxx..both showing why they are Captains.
Lineups:
Los Angeles Sol – Karina LeBlanc; Stephanie Cox, Brittany Bock, Allison Falk, Manya Makoski; Aya Miyama, Aly Wagner (Katie Larkin 68’), Shannon Boxx (C) , McCall Zerboni (Sharolta Nonen 35’); Marta, Han Duan (Lyndsey Patterson 78’).
Sky Blue FC – Jenni Branam; Meghan Schnur, Christie Rampone (C), Jen Buczkowski, Keeley Dowling; Heather O’Reilly (Noelle Keselica 83’), Yael Averbuch, Francielle, Kacey White; Rosana (Collette McCallum 71’), Natasha Kai (Kerri Hanks 67’).
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