Saint Louis Athletica concluded their 2009 home schedule tonight with a conclusive 2-0 against the Chicago Red Stars at The Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park. Christie Welsh scored both of Athletica’s goals as Athletica Head Coach Jorge Barcellos may have found a new striking partnership on the eve of the WPS Playoffs.
Barcellos elected to give Welsh and Sarah Walsh the start up top and his decision paid off in both halves.
Welsh opened the scoring in the 33rd minute when a ball through the box from Walsh found Welsh open on the left side. Welsh drilled it home with a solid left foot for her first goal of the season.
Welsh would hit the back of the net again in the 64th minute to effectively kill off the game and secure the win. This time Walsh was again involved, Melissa Tancredi would get the final assist and Welsh again provided a clean, clinical finish.
For the Chicago Red Stars it was a dissappointing loss to end their 2009 season. Although they outshot Athletica 10-8 they couldn't get past Hope Solo.
For Barcellos the win was a mission accomplished on three levels; keep up the level of play, find a route to goal, and rest some players. He was able to accomplish all three tasks on the night.
ATHLETICA HEAD COACH JORGE BARCELLOS
“It was a happy moment for me to see Welsh score because she has been training and fighting hard. We are going to need a player like her in place of Aluko,” “Tonight is going to give her a lot of confidence. The combination of Walsh and Welsh was good. One is fast and the other has a presence in the penalty area.”
LINEUPS:
STL: Hope Solo;Elise Weber, Tina Ellertson,Kia McNeill, Melissa Tancredi; Kendall Fletcher, Lisa Stoia, Sheree Gray (Erin Walter 22), Lori Chalupny(C) (Stephanie Logterman 46); Christie Welsh, Sarah Walsh (Ashley Pistorius 72)
CHI: Caroline Jonsson; Marian Dalmy, Natalie Spilger (Chioma Igwe 75), Nikki Krzysick, Frida Ostberg(C); Megan Rapinoe (Danesha Adams 66),Carli Lloyd, Brittany Klein, Karen Karney; Cristiane, Ella Massar
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