Sunday 31 May 2009

100th Post Exclusive - ANITA ASANTE Q &A



To mark our 100th post here at womans soccer insider we bring you the Q&A of former Chelsea and Arsenal player Anita Asante. Anita a confident and assured player in both defence and midfield has now switched her attensions to WPS and the New Jersey outfit Sky Blue FC. Find out how she is coping with the differences between the English league and WPS.


1.Congratulations on your 1st win against Chicago Red Stars. Describe how you and your teamates felt after the game.
I think we felt relief and more importantly that all the hard work we and the staff have put in may be starting to pay off! But we were really pleased because we thought we played well!

2. You have played every game so far. How has it been adapting to a different type of game and tactics than you are used to?
The first couple of friendly games took some adjusting to because some of the teams play really high pressure and base a lot of their strategy on athleticism, but on the most part it has been a variation of learning new things and adding the experience I have to execute the strategy in a way that will hopefully make our team successful and play good football that spectators will always associate with Sky Blue FC.

3. How does the pace and skill of the WPS compare with the English game?
There are a lot of technical players in the English game that benefit from playing within a culture of football that has long lasting tradition and huge fan bases, regular coverage and accessibility. However, playing in WPS has provided a platform for the very elite to display their talent with players from all over the world...so of course the standard is extremely high. The pace of the games are intense but because they are highly competitive and players are mentally and physically astute.

4. Sky Blue have some pretty good defenders at the back. What has it been like to play with the like of Christie Rampone and Jenni Branam?
Honestly they are both real leaders on and off the pitch. I have enjoyed training and playing with both of them because they lead by example and I know they have my back. Christie is an exceptional player and I feel lucky to be playing alongside someone who is supportive and so experienced and positive all the time. Branam being a keeper is crazy just for being a keeper but we love her because she is a brilliant goal keeper and a commanding figure especially when we most need it!

5. The squad seems to have a lot of personalities on it. Do you do a lot of activities together on your days off?
Well most of the team lives in the same apartment complex so we often hang out together and play cards, watch a movie or just chill the usual...but because we mostly are together we have so much fun!

6. Who has been the toughest forward you have come up against so far in the WPS?
The toughest forward I have come up against is Marta because she always springs up no matter her presence in the game and makes something happen!

7. How have you improved your game in the short time you have been playing in the WPS?
I feel I have improved my game by being more vocal and adding a bit more of that controlled aggression that traditional British defenders are known for.

8 . Do you think there will be more English players looking to play in the WPS in the future?
Most definitely, we as a nation are continually improving and our recent international records and success is starting to show! If the opportunities are presented there will always be more potential for English players to take it up!

9. What are England’s chances at Euro 2009?
I am confident that we have a good chance of having a successful tournament as does every team! We will take it game by game accept the challenges and have the mentality that we are there to compete and nothing is beyond our grasp!

10. Finally…What is it truly like to now be a professional footballer?
To truly be a professional footballer is to accept pressure enjoy competition within training and match environments and strive to win and be better always!

Friday 29 May 2009

ALEX SCOTT BLOG - May 28th 09

JET LAG!!!

Let me just start this blog by letting you all in on how i feel right now.....my eyes are stinging because they have been telling me all day that they need sleep, i try to go to bed about 10 clock Boston time, only to find that i am waking up at 1Am, then maybe 3Am, by 5Am i am wide awake and the TV is on....... having jet lag...... SUCKS!!!!

So as some of you are aware, the past week was spent in sunny yes i did say sunny ENGLAND.We (i say we as i traveled with my teammate Kelly Smith) landed at Heathrow airport on Monday night at around 8PM, i looked at Kelly and she looked at me, and we both had the biggest smile on our face. Even though we was at the airport the feeling of being back in England knowing that this time we will get to go and spend time with our families, there is no better feeling then that.

But 1st things 1st we was back home for a reason and this reason being National Team camp.The rest of the girls had already been in camp since Sunday, and had already filled us in on the fact that they had to go through drill after drill of fitness testing and was already feeling tired... damm i am gutted we arrived a day late..NOT,HA.
The season has just ended in England, so fitness testing was important. The girls now get two weeks off then have an intense and insane fitness program to complete in order to be in the best possible shape come selection for the European Championship this summer.Mine, Kelly's and the rest of the US girls will have to do a different form of fitness program, in order not to get burnt out for our season here, but in order to be fresh and sharp going into the championship (as our manager Hope Powell always tells us... If selected of course).

Tuesday the girls had a practice match V a Boys academy side, Kelly and myself had to sit out and watch having just traveled the day before.Wednesday our day looked like this... wake up around 730AM, go and do a weights/core session,breakfast, train, lunch, train, ice bath and pool recovery, team meeting, dinner, team meeting again then off to bed..WOW, i hope you are tired reading that because thinking about all the training we get through at camp makes me tired.
Thursday was our last day at camp, we played a different boys academy 3 x 30min games... can i just tell you all now,that how unfair it is that even though we was so technically better, boys are just so faster and stronger, that balls and runs that you normally make in a women's game, just does not happen when you play Boys...NOT FAIR! so i think you can guess that we lost,hehe.. but there is always lessons to be learned, the lesson here...... keep the ball, do not give it away or you will get punished.... Love the ball, care for the ball treat the ball as if it was your life (more words of wisdom from coach Powell.

So with are quick National team camp visit over it was now of to see the family,YEAH!! i had to take a little detour 1st, this was to my hairdresser who i have not seen in months so she could work her magic and make me look beautiful......... well she did not quite manage the beautiful part, but she did fix my hair for me. Then finally it was home to my mums house to spend the weekend with her..AWWW how sweet.
It was great to spend the weekend seeing my family, the time went way to quick though, i know my mum is missing me already... yeah right,(only messing mum i know you love me!)My dog would not leave my side in fear of me leaving her again, but its ok i let her know that i will be back home in September to take care of her (i know all you dog lovers wanted to hear that part).

Before we did come back Sunday Night, we had our FA awards to attend on the Friday.. Vic Akers our ex Arsenal Manger was awarded a special award for devoting 22 years to Arsenal ladies and women's football in general. (you can tell i have been back to England because i am now not saying soccer,how funny) this was his last season and i am so glad he went out on a high with the team winning the treble... get in there girls,YES!!!
well the day/night was very peaceful and and everyone went home early......... ha suckers... believe that you will believe anything.. this is the party when everyone can let their hair down and drink till there is always mad stories to tell the next day, people let all their long hard work and efforts through the season go into this night - coaches,players,staff,media, behind the scene workers, everyone having a great time. it was great to catch up with everyone there.

Flew back to Boston Sunday night landed at around 10pm, straight into a game Monday, i can not remember the name of the team we had this scrimmage against........ please forgive me for this, but remember what i said at the start of this blog..... JET LAG SUCKS!! After 60mins i had to ask coach Tony to sub me out because i really did think at one point i was sleep walking or sleep running (you know what i mean) at times.

This team is such a great team to come back to and i always miss them when i go home, the girls are a great bunch. So this week consists of training hard (you train hard, you play hard.. not sure who said them words of wisdom?) and off to play sky Blue this weekend, which should be good because i think this is a rivalry game of the cities (should add some spice to it,ha)
ok be sure to catch the game live on fox soccer channel
until next week..... your English Boston Breaker Alex Scott x


WPS PREVIEW WEEK 10

Crash!Round 2

Los Angeles Sol vs Saint Louis Athletica Sat May 30 7.00pm ET

Two of the hottest teams in the league face off at the Home Depot Center with Saint Louis – carrying a 2-0-2 record over the past four games – taking on Los Angeles, which has won its last two games. The two played to a scoreless draw on April 25 in St. Louis, which began the Athletica’s four-game unbeaten streak and also ended the Sol’s 3-game winning streak to start the season. Athletica coach Jorge Barcellos has made the necessary adjustments following the loss of star Daniela to injury, getting contributions from Eniola Aluko and recently-acquired Kendall Fletcher. Lori Chalupny continues to develop into a dominant game changer, while Hope Solo returns from national team duty, having seen her fellow teammate and keeper Jillian Loyden capture WPS Player of the Week honors. The Sol continue to be the dominant defensive team in the league giving up a paltry 0.25 goals per game through eight games. Han Duan notched her first WPS goal in Week 9 finally demonstrating that the Sol’s other standout internationals can contribute to the scoring beyond Brazilian sensation Marta.
My prediction 1-0 home win Sol.





Who will be cheering the loudest?


Washington Freedom vs FC Gold Pride Sun May 31 4.00pm ET

The Washington Freedom come into the game having moved up the WPS standings with a four-game unbeaten streak at 2-0-2 following an 0-2-1 start to the season. The Freedom have fond memories of their first game against FC Gold Pride, in which they notched their first WPS victory, 4-3, through a stunning injury-time goal by Abby Wambach in one of the most exciting games of the young season so far. Look for another high-scoring affair on the East Coast return match. The Freedom have not lost a game since and now sit in fourth-place in the WPS standings, just one point behind FC Gold, with a game in hand. They will also have the services of Wambach again, after missing a game due to suspension and last week’s victory over Sky Blue FC as a result of national team duty. The Pride has been up and down this season with exciting performances one week and less solid games in other weeks. Albertin Montoya’s side has been shut out on three occasions this year – all losses – and have given up 10 goals on the season, second only to Freedom’s 14 goals surrendered.
My prediction 3-0 home win Washington.



Standing strong!


Sky Blue FC vs Boston Breakers Sun May 31 6.00pm ET FSC

The first match-up of these Northeast teams in WPS and the first game at Rutgers’ Yurcak Field following a five-game road trip for Sky Blue FC. Boston comes in refreshed from a bye week, while Sky Blue FC has lost two hard-fought, close one-goal decisions that have dropped them to the bottom of the WPS standings. Sky Blue FC recently suspended head coach and GM Ian Sawyers for differences with the team’s ownership and were led by interim coach Kelly Lindsey’s in last weekend’s game. But New Jersey has faced adversity before. Three weeks ago, they traveled to Chicago – the hottest team in the league at the time – looking for their first win and dismantled the Red Stars, 2-0, to win at Toyota Park. They need a big game and strong leadership from Captain Christie Rampone to see this match through.The Boston Breakers feature star Kelly Smith, making her return to New Jersey this weekend where she played college soccer for Seton Hall. The team relies heavily on its veterans. Boston is has won 3 lost 1 when Smith scores a goal and won 2 lost 0 when Kristine Lilly scores.
My prediction 2-0 away win Boston

Previews by soccer365.com

Monday 25 May 2009

FC Gold Pride 0 - 2 Los Angles Sol

At last!

The Los Angeles Sol blanked FC Gold Pride , 2-0, on Sunday afternoon at Buck Shaw Stadium in front of a sell-out crowd of 6,280 fans.
The Sol opened up the scoring in the 27th minute when Japanese International Aya Miyama was fouled inside the penalty area by defender Carrie Dew resulting in a penalty kick for French International Camille Abily. Abily's low-lining penalty kick found the back right of the net past back-up Gold Pride keeper Allison Whitworth to put the Sol up 1-0. That was her 2nd goal of the season since her 1st on the inaugural match v Washington Freedom.
FC Gold Pride threatened in the closing minutes of the half when Eriko Arakawa crossed to Tiffany Weimer from the right side of the box, but Sol back-up keeper Val Henderson made a diving block on Weimer's shot from eight yards out to keep the Sol ahead going into the half.

After trading scoring opportunities in the second half, the Sol struck again in the 86th minute on a counter-attack when Han Duan found herself on a breakaway and slipped a ball past Whitworth from 12 yards out for the final goal of the game. Her 1st goal of the season. A weight lifted of her shoulders? We will wait and see. I believe she can apply herself much more than she has been doing.

The Sol were without Shannon Boxx (USA), Brittany Bock (USA), Karina LeBlanc (Canada) and Martina Franko (Canada) who were all called into National Team duty and Aly Wagner who injured her groin in training in the week.
FC Gold Pride lost Rachel Buehler (USA) , Nicole Barnhart (USA) and Christie Sinclair (Canada) to national team duty.
Both deputy GK had great games with Whitworth having an outstanding game limiting the Sol to 2 goals by making some great saves.
Lisa Sari starting her 1st game for the Sol was impressive in the defensive midfield role. Stepping in for Shannon Boxx she won every ball in the air, broke up play in the midfield and subdued Tina DiMartino.

The game was very physical with Gold Pride being strong with the tackles on Marta in particular. In stoppage time right-back Kandace Wilson was injured when colliding with Marta. It looked a bad injury.Although thought to be to her knee-(the dreaded ACL) Pride officials say it is a hip injury.

The Pride are an entertaining team but their forwards were below their best. Eriko Arakawa and Tiffany Weimer did not do enough in the game. To get to the playoffs all players need to be on song.
The Sol are very solid. Although they did not create a lot of pretty soccer they have players that will hustle and stop other teams creating. No matter who is in defence(Stephanie Cox as centre-back?) they are hard to breach. They are way out in front with 17pts. 6pts ahead of the competition.

"We had one mental lapse, but we will learn from it," said FC Gold Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya. "We went from Brandi almost scoring to a missed ball off a goal kick. We lost our concentration for one second. When you have players like Marta and Duan, they'll make you pay."

"Today was a really great team victory for us," said Los Angeles Sol Head Coach Abner Rogers. "We were missing some of our players, but our entire team pulled together and helped us earn a very good victory."


Lineups:

FC Gold Pride: Allison Whitworth; Leigh Ann Robinson, Carrie Dew, Kristen Graczyk, Kandace Wilson, Leslie Osborne, Erika (Formiga, 66'), Tina DiMartino, Tiffany Weimer (Adrianne, 54'), Tiffeny Milbrett, Eriko Arakawa (Chastain, 80').

Los Angeles Sol: Val Henderson; Manya Makoski, Allison Falk, Stephanie Cox; Katie Larkin, Camille Abily (McCall Zerboni, 92'+), Lisa Sari, Aya Miyama, Liz Bogus (Johanna Frisk, 45'), Han Duan, Marta.

Chicago Red Stars 0 - 2 Saint Louis Athletica

Loyden -"mine"!

Saint Louis Athletica may not have had many opportunities during Saturday night’s WPS contest against the Chicago Red Stars at Toyota Park but the chances they did get they made count. And the chances the Red Stars got Athletica goalkeeper Jillian Loyden made count.
Loyden denied Chicago in the 17th minute with a dramatic save against Brazil’s Cristiane. Karen Carney struck a perfect corner kick that Cristiane headed on goal but Loyden was able to get a hand to it and push it over the top of the cross bar. The save was the first of what would prove to be a very productive night for Athletica’s deputy keeper. Loyden faced six Chicago shots on goal and turned away each one, three of which were goal bound chances.

The game stayed scoreless going into the 26th minute with very little going towards either teams net until Eniola Aluko struck. Aluko was able to use her speed on the left wing to turn the corner on Chicago’s back line. As she came in to the edge of the six-yard box she found herself one-on-one with Red Star Goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson. Aluko’s attempted pass to Kerri Hanks deflected off Ifeoma Dieke and over Jonsson before falling on the other side of the goal line.
From that point onward Saint Louis turned in a master class performance. An especially encouraging result considering they were without Lori Chalupny and Hope Solo (U.S. National Team duty), Melissa Tancredi (Canadian Team National Team duty), and Kia McNeill (serving a one game suspension). Chicago was without four regular starters as well, Carli Lloyd, Lindsay Tarpley , Megan Rapinoe, and Marian Dalmy. The absences of star power seemed to bother Athletica less as Saint Louis kept up the pressure and took a commanding 2-0 lead minutes before halftime.
Eniola Aluko was again involved. This time driving home a powerful right-footed shot from 10 yards out on a ball that Kendall Fletcher had struck and which fell to Aluko.

The second half Chicago outshot Athletica by a 12-5 margin overall and put six shots on goal, all of which Loyden handled.The Red Stars best opportunity of the second half came late as Frida Ostberg made a bid to get Chicago back in the game. A rare glimpse of open space in Athletica’s back line allowed Ostberg to drive in a shot from just inside the penalty area on the right wing that Loyden kick saved as she went to the turf. The save preserved the shutout for Loyden and Athletica. Who have now posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time the season.

Athletica is now on a two game winning streak and undefeated in their last four. The win moves Athletica into a fifth place tie with Chicago. Chicago and Saint Louis are even on points, goal differential, and wins.
Chicago are in a 3 game loss slump. They haven't scored in those 3 games and confidence is low. This is the time for the coaches to start earning their money.

“We were in a similar situation to Chicago, we lost our first two games,” said Barcellos. “We were able to find our game today and get three points away from home.”

“Typical strikers goal,” stated Aluko. “Ball fell to me perfectly and I just tried to put it away.”




"We'll evaluate as a coaching staff what we need to do, and I think this is a time the team as a whole have to come together, along with the staff, we have to find solutions to things which in my opinion are not based off of ability," Hayes said. "They're based mentally. We have to develop a collective and a focus when we've conceded goals and the game's not going our way. For us we're better than we're showing at the moment."

Line-ups:

Chicago Red Stars – Jönsson; Igwe (Adams, 46), Krzysik (Garriock, 46; Wenino, 56), Dieke, Spilger; Oakes, Östberg, Klein; Carney, Masar, Cristiane.

Saint Louis – Loyden; Cross, Ellertson, Larsson, Weber; Francielle, Stoia (Walter, 70), Woznuk, Fletcher; Aluko, Hanks (Welsh, 88).

Washington Freedom 2 - 1 Sky Blue FC

DeVanna magic!

The Washington Freedom claimed a 2-1 victory over Sky Blue FC at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. It was the 1st time since the WUSA days that the Freedom were playing at RFK Stadium and the 1st double-header with the MLS team DC United.
Washington named the same team that came away with a draw at Boston. Abby Wambach this time away on national team duty.Sky Blue FC on the other hand were without four starters with Christie Rampone and Heather O'Reilly (United States) and Kelly Parker (Canada) away for national team duty and Sarah Walsh was out with a hamstring injury.
Sky Blue FC had the better chances in the early going, but the Freedom took over as the opening half came to a close. In the eighth minute, Rosana made a nice move along the left sideline before crossing the ball to Kacey White in the box. White brought the ball down before striking a left-footed shot that was saved by Freedom keeper Erin McLeod.

Washington broke through in the 35th minute after earning a corner kick on the right side. Sonia Bompastor whipped the ball into the box and Cat Whitehill met the ball at the near post and flicked the ball into the goal.Washington continued to attack and in the 40th minute as Lisa De Vanna tried to sneak one in at the near post but missed wide. One minute later, Rebecca Moros had a goal disallowed after she received the final pass in an offside position.

The Freedom doubled the lead in the 43rd minute on a nice individual effort by De Vanna, who took advantage of a Sky Blue FC misplay, defender Anita Asante failing to trap a ball and miscontrolling it. De Vanna got the ball and carried it into the box from 40 yards out. After fending off the challenge of defender Keeley Dowling, the Australian striker rolled a shot inside the right post from 12 yards out.


Sky Blue FC came out strong in the second half and could have struck early on if not for a few great interventions from McLeod.

In the 47th minute, a nice combination between Kacey White and Natasha Kai left White behind in the left corner. White’s cross was deflected to the near post and McLeod had to tip the ball over the left post. On the following corner kick, Rosana snapped a header off the Collette McCallum serve but McLeod made a top-class diving save near the right post to parry the chance away.

Sky Blue FC finally broke through in the 66th minute on a play started by Jen Buczkowski on the right side of the midfield. She played a pass forward to the feet of Kai, who controlled the ball before slipping a perfect splitting ball behind for Rosana. The Brazilian midfielder was in alone and she slotted an easy finish into the lower right corner from 12 yards out.

Washington held on for a much needed win. There play improving and their defence showing some signs of resilience. Should set them up for a play-off place.

Sky Blue are in trouble. Not only on the field but off it as well. Head coach Ian Sawyer was suspended indefinatly by the club before the game. No information as to why as yet. Where do they go from here is any ones guess but as of right now they are short of confidence, in last place and well of the pace.


Washington Freedom Head Coach Jim Gabarra


On the first goal
“We’ve probably had a lot of corners; we hadn’t scored on any corner kicks so eventually the numbers game plays into that. I think Cat made a great run and Sonia’s been great with her serve.”

On the second goal

“They were a little tired and beat in the back and they were losing the ball, they weren’t having good touches. I actually yelled to Lisa, ‘come on, you’ve got to work’ and she stepped and pressed [the Sky Blue defense] and stole the ball and went on a breakaway and finished it nicely.”

Sky Blue FC Interim Head Coach Kelly Lindsey

On the final minutes of the game

"It felt good - our team did well, our bench was up, the fans were into it. I thought there were a lot of goal scoring opportunities and there were some dangerous moments and I think everyone enjoyed the last 15-20 minutes of the game."

Lineups:

Washington Freedom – Erin McLeod; Becky Sauerbrunn, Cat Whitehill (Capt), Alex Singer, Jill Gilbeau (Lisa DeDyker 64’); Homare Sawa, Sonia Bompastor, Lori Lindsey; Rebecca Moros, Lisa De Vanna (Parissa Eyorokon 78’), Allie Long (Emily Janss 90’)

Sky Blue FC – Jenni Branam; Julianne Sitch, Anita Asante (Capt), Keeley Dowling (Capt), Meghan Schnur; Jen Buczkowski, Collette McCallum; Yael Averbuch (Christie Shaner 67’), Rosana (Mele French 79’); Kacey White, Natasha Kai (Noelle Keselica 67’)

Friday 22 May 2009

WPS PREVIEW WEEK 9

With the friendly game between USA and CANADA taking place next week all the WPS teams will see many changes in the starting line-ups.


New girl Sessleman


Washington Freedom vs Sky Blue FC Sat May 23 4.30pm ET


Washington having got a a point away to Boston Breakers look to get all 3 pts this time against Sky Blue. Again without Abby Wambach due to national team duty they will look to the impressive forward line of Lisa DeVanna,Allie Long and Rebecca Moros. Midfielder Joanna Lohman will also miss the match after she was suspended for an elbow on Alex Scott. Freedom GK Erin McLeod will continue in goal as she was not called up for Canada.
The Sky Blue line-up could have several changes due to national team call-ups and injury. Captian Christie Rampone, Heather O'Reilly and Canada's Kelly Parker(national teams) and strikers Natasha KAi and Sarah Walsh are doubtful due to injury. Lauren Sesselman a forward was signed this week and could make a dramatic impact on the game. Anita Asante will just have returned from England camp also.
Both teams need the 3 pts to get out of the bottom of the league and to get some momentum going.
My Prediction 2-1 Home win for Washington





Samba flair!


Chicago Red Stars vs Saint Louis Athletic Sat May 23 8.30pm ET

Saint Louis Athletica travels to Toyota Park this Saturday evening to face their closest league rivals the Chicago Red Stars.The matchup is the second of the year between these two clubs. Chicago beat Saint Louis 1-0 on April 4 to spoil Athletica’s home opener before a crowd of 5,008. A Lindsay Tarpley goal in the 78th minute of the match was the game winner.
Athletica enters this contest on an upbeat note having garnered five points from their last three games.Chicago has dropped two games in a row and not scored in those games will be looking to get back on track to keep up with LA & Boston.
Both teams will be without their important players.Chicago will be missing starters Carli Lloyd, Lindsay Tarpley, Megan Rapinoe, and Marian Dalmy. All of whom are on duty with the USWNT.Athletica will be missing team captain Lori Chalupny and goalkeeper Hope Solo, both are also on duty with the USWNT. Athletica will also be without Melissa Tancredi, who is on national team duty for her native Canada, and Kia McNeill, who is serving a one game suspension.
There could be up to 8 new faces starting for both teams. Athletica could start with new players Christie Welsh and Kendal Fletcher who were traded from LA Sol last weekend.
Chicago still has Cristiane who was showing some silky skills last weekend despite the defeat.
My prediction 1 - o win for Chicago






Brazil v Brazil!

FC Gold Pride vs Los Angeles Sol Sun May 24 7.00pm ET FSC

A rematch which has been billed as Battle of the Samba Queens - Formiga v Marta. FC Gold Pride are expecting a sell out crowd at Buck Shaw Stadium as Marta and the LA Sol renew their in-state rivalry with the Pride. WPS standings are at stake as third place FC Gold Pride (10 points) look to leapfrog the second ranked Boston Breakers (11 points) and close the gap on the LA Sol out in front on 14pts.
Both teams will be missing a number of players due to the US v Canada international game.
Gold Pride will be missing Rachel Buehler, GK Nicole Barnhart and Canadian striker Christie Sinclair. LA Sol will miss Captain Shannon Boxx, GK Karina LeBlanc and the defenders Brittany Bock and Canadian Martina Franko. Both teams will play their back-up keepers of Allison Whitworth (Pride) and Val Henderson (Sol). It will be a big game for both.Whitworth though you would think will have the more solid backline in front of her.
No matter what, it will be a big test for both teams.
My prediction a 2-2 draw

The FA Women's Football Awards 2009.

Women's football in England was honoured at the prestigious FA Women's Football Awards last night in London.
Departing Arsenal Ladies manager Vic Akers was honoured for his dedication and contribution to the women’s game.Akers, who was instrumental in the formation of Arsenal Ladies more than two decades ago, was presented with The FA Special Achievement Award by FA Vice-President, Ray Kiddell OBE at the prestigious ceremony.
Akers has led the Ladies team to 32 trophies including eleven FA Women’s Premier League Titles, ten FA Women’s Cups and the UEFA Women’s Cup, becoming the first English team to do so in 2007. His last being this years League title, FA Cup and League Cup.


Everton midfielder and acting England captain Fara Williams won both the Nationwide International(England) Player of the Year voted by the fans, and Tesco Players’ Player of the Year voted by the players in the league. She has had an outstanding season for Everton only missing out in the championship to Arsenal on the last day. A bright future for her as she is only 26. Could a move to WPS sometime in the future come? First up the Euros in Finland.


Even though she left in February Kelly Smith was still the top scorer for Arsenal and the league. She received the Umbro Top Goal Scorer (National Divison). She scored 25 league goals in only 12 league appearances. In total for Arsenal she made 21 appearances and scored 31 goals.
No matter what, she will be missed at Arsenal.

BRIT INVASION...PART 8

Kelly, Alex, Karen, Ifeoma & Anita were all in the starting line-ups this past weekend. Eniola sat out as Saint Louis Athletica had a bye week. How did they do?


Top Play!

Top player & play this week again goes to Alex Scott from the Boston Breakers. 1st goal in the WPS, i expect she will get a few more. With Coach Tony DiCicco all for his full-backs getting forward and getting on the scoresheet,Scott done just that.
Against Washington Freedom Scott had been creeping forward and playing like a winger in the1st half but in the 2nd half it paid of. Latching on to a through ball by teammate Christine Latham, Scott out paced Freedom defender Alex Singer and struck a thunderbolt shot high past GK Erin McLeod into the roof of the net. She said she had been practising her shooting all week. Well keep practising that's all i can say!
Scott comfortable in the final 3rd of the field, quick in attack, bundles of energy and strong in defence Boston has got themselves a steal. Ohhh Chicago! An asset to every team she plays for. Its all good for England as well.

Kelly Smith is a marked woman. Hampered by a slight knee injury picked up in the previous week. Smith lumbered around the field. Still on 3/4 of a tank she was still giving the Freedom midfielders problems. Anytime she got the ball she was attacked by Freedom red shirts eager to strip the ball from her. Sometimes it worked sometimes it didn't. One time it didn't work Smith nearly scored a contender for goal of the season. Unfortunately for her it was brilliantly saved by GK Erin McLeod for the save of the season.

Sky Blue FC Centre-Back Anita Asante was once again up against Marta. Compared to the last match they faced each other Asante put in a solid display and the Sky Blue defence had Marta under control...well, untill till the 80th minute that is, when Marta sprung the offside trap to score. For her performance in the match Asante was quick and strong and rarely let the offensive players of the Sol past her. With an unchanged back four of Dowling, Asante, Rampone, Schnur, Asante is proving herself to be a leader on the field with her organisation. England will reap the benefits this summer.

Karen Carney was IMO the best player wearing skyblue against the FC Gold Pride. Yes the Chicago Red Stars wear sky blue! Carney claimed 2 of the total 3 shots on goal for the Red Stars. Making the The Pride goalkeeper work for their win. Always busy she was trying to get her teammates involved in play that counted but the Pride defenders stood up well to all of the Red Stars attacks. Towards the end of the match she was spent but it is clear she is an important player for Chicago.

Chicago red Stars Scottish star Ifeoma Dieke played a lot better than her previous match. Kept the Red Stars in the game with keeping the Pride from extending their lead.She kept FC Gold Pride's talented forwards far from goal which meant they took a lot of shots outside the area. Matched up to the strength of Christie Sinclair well. Another important player for the Red Stars.








Wednesday 20 May 2009

ALEX SCOTT BLOG - May 19th 09

My 1st WPS GOAL!!!

OK, so it is my blog time again, I guess what i am going to talk about,hehe. Everyday at training Tony Dicicco allows players to work on things they may think is a weakness in their game or just generally to improve at the end of training. If you are a goalkeeper you tend to have to go out early before training to get a strong session in before the main one actually starts. Sometimes Lisa Cole (assistant coach) and kaite Shields (goalkeeper coach) will select some players who think will help the goal keepers work. Last week i went out early with a few other teammates and worked on crossing. This week the goalkeepers were going out early and lisa and katie had not asked me...gutted. I think a few of us still went out early hoping we may get in the session anyway. I think Lisa felt sorry for me and asked me if i wanted to join in and help the goalkeepers, well i answered... yeah why not, when really i was jumping up and down inside because i knew it was a shooting session (as a defender you are normally on the other side of drills like this) so i joined in. There was only 3 of us shooting, kristine lilly, Maggie tomaka and myself. We had a little competition going on with the keepers the whole session, they would say something like... "you will only score 6 out of 30 strikes", to challenge themselves and to challenge us. Let me just tell you, sorry goalkeepers, but we beat them in all the drills!! we was hitting some sweet strikes. When we joined the main session that day, Lil told me i best be saving one of them strikes for the game v Washington........ well she was far from wrong.
GAME DAY! Washington are a good team, really one of the best in the league. There passing game and movement is excellent. We knew that with Abby not in the starting line up other players for them really had to step up to the mark and play well, so either way we knew they would come at us hard. Plus when any team has Bompaster in it you know things are not going to be easy. The game started of scrappy and Washington had the better of us the 1st half. They got us on the counter attack and scored a goal midway thru the first half. Our overall passing game was not at the standard it should be and we gave the ball away alot. We needed half time to regroup. Tony told me at half time i was making good runs and to keep on doing it, so thats all i did, no major change to my game. In the 49th minute, the ball got played into latham, who like always holds the ball up well. I overlapped down the right and she found me with a sweet through ball................ (should i now go into movie mode and really glam this part up????????? im to down to earth for that!!!!) so a sweet through ball that i ran onto, i could here kelly smith screaming for it in the box i do not know why i chose to ignore her because if you have kelly screaming for the ball of all players you want to pass the ball to it would be her because you know she can create magic, but for once i thought WHY NOT and i smacked that small piece of leather that we call a soccer ball (football if you are reading this back home) and it flew into the back of the net... YEAH!!!!! My celebration was really whack. If i could go back and change that i would, i do not even think i did anything,ha. Now the oscar speech... i would like to thank Latham for her assist, i would like to thank my teammates, i would like to thank my mum!!!! Get real right, i would have swooped me scoring if we would have got three points, but the truth is we went on to draw the game which i felt was disappointed with because we needed the 3 points to draw away from the rest of the pack (league),. so overall my goal was just another goal scored in the WPS. Plus i know if there are any strikers reading this, they are like.. no big deal, we score all the time, well defenders should cherish moments like that... plus just to let you in on a secret Tony has challenged me and mitts to get goals this season... so mittsay this one was for us.
I am now back home in England. We have a national team camp for a week where we will play a boys academy team at the end of the week which is always a major challenge. Boys are naturally so much faster, which is so not fair. We also attend our national team football awards on Friday where you will get awards for MVP of the league, national team player, young player of the year, coach of the year, special achievement awards etc. kelly will collect an award for top goal scorer in the EPL with 25 goals, and that was with us leaving for Boston in February and the EPL has only just finished, no one could catch her... Wow. Good luck to my USA team mates in there game v Canada. I also have to wish good luck to candice chapman who will be playing for Canada. i really have to sit on the fence and just say, play a good game of soccer, and who ever wins, wins... im such a loser! ok i know i have gone on a bit, so hope you all lasted and you tune in next week. your English Boston breaker Alex Scott

by Alex Scott

Check out the blog here http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Alex%20Scott

Monday 18 May 2009

WPS HIGHLIGHTS

Boston Breakers v Washington Freedom 1-1


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Chicago Red Stars v FC Gold Pride 0 - 1


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Los Angeles Sol v Sky Blue FC 1 - 0


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BOSTON BREAKERS 1 - 1 WASHINGTON FREEDOM









Yeah!




Boston defender Alex Scott scored the equalizer in the second half to ensure the Breakers’ kept their undefeated home record in a 1-1 draw versus the Washington Freedom on Sunday evening at Harvard Stadium in Cambridge, Mass.
Scott’s goal came in the 49th minute when Christine Latham played a ball forward toward Scott, who then sprinted past a Freedom defender on the right side into the box and blasted a shot over Freedom goalkeeper Erin McLeod into the top center of the goal. It was the first goal of the season for the England international, and Latham’s first assist. Top save!
Washington got on the board first with a goal in the 33rd minute. Australian forward Lisa De Vanna set up Rebecca Moros with a through ball to the right side of the penalty area, and Moros put the ball in the bottom right corner for the 1-0 lead.

The Freedom competed well without star forward Abby Wambach, who sat out due to a one game suspension. Washington enjoyed the better of the chances up until the first goal, and had nearly scored just moments earlier. A bizarre deflection in midfield in the 30th minute sent De Vanna on a one-on-one with Boston goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill, but Luckenbill dove for the save.

Boston responded for the remainder of the half with numerous opportunities, but was unable to get on the end of them. The Breakers continued their momentum into the second half, leading to Scott’s equalizer.The Breakers out-shot the Freedom, 14-9, and dominated much of the second half but were unable to capitalize on the opportunities to come away with the three points. Both teams pushed hard for another goal in a game that quickly became very physical.

In the 64th minute, Scott had a chance for a second goal with a pass from Kelly Smith, but she rocketed the ball just wide of the right post. Three minutes, compatriot Smith forced an athletic save from McLeod with a shot from 25 yards out, which the Freedom keeper was able to get a hand on to tip it over.With just six minutes remaining, Candace Chapman, fresh off the bench, served a low cross into the center of the penalty area for Kristine Lilly, but she sent the ball over the goal. She was right in front of goal and should have scored.

Boston missed several chances to get the 3 pts and Washington played well without Wambach.They put on a much better defensive game. McLeod had a great 1st game quickly establishing that she is the one to beat for that number 1 GK jersey. With a solid keeper the Freedom can now push on.


“This was probably the highest level game we have played this year,” said Breakers head coach Tony DiCicco. “It was very fast and quick.I was proud of the way we played in the second half. We went for three points tonight, but give Washington credit for their exceptional first half. After their goal, we finally started to play our game and put together some good chances.Their goalkeeper came up with the save of the season on Kelly Smith,”

“Overall it was probably a fair result,” said Freedoms Head Coach Jim Gabarra. “It’s good to get a point on the road against a team that’s good at home and in second place. We’re satisfied with the result and we’ll continue to try to get better.

On Moros's goal
" Without Abby it offered the opportunity for other players to step up and she took the opportunity pretty well along with Lisa [De Vanna] and Allie [Long],”


On Erin McLeod's 1st game “Erin was solid,” Gabarra said. “She was aggressive when she needed to be aggressive. When we needed the big save she made the big save. I’m very happy with her and very happy for her.”


Lineups:

BOSTON: Kristin Luckenbill; Alex Scott, Amy LePeilbet, Sue Weber, Heather Mitts; Angela Hucles, Kristine Lilly, Stacy Bishop (Candace Chapman, 79th minute), Kelly Smith; Kelly Schmedes, Christine Latham (Amy Rodriguez, 64th minute).

WASHINGTON: Erin McLeod; Jill Gilbeau, Cat Whitehill, Alex Singer, Becky Sauerbrunn; Lori Lindsey, Sonia Bompastor, Homare Sawa; Allie Long, Lisa De Vanna (Joanna Lohman, 62nd minute, Rebecca Moros (Claire Zimmeck, 82nd minute).

CHICAGO RED STARS 0 - 1 FC GOLD PRIDE

Tap-in!

FC Gold Pride earned the team’s first road win of the season with a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday night at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL.
The Pride turned up the pressure on the Red Star defense in the first half, ultimately creating numerous goal scoring opportunities.Even so Chicago created the first chance. In the 27th minute Megan Rapinoe swung in a cross from the left aiming for Cristiane who started the match. Cristiane was inches away as she dived to get her head on the ball. On the 30th minute Gold Pride got their reward for their pressure.Brazilian Adriana starting her 1st match drove into the box running on the bye line on the right. She passed the ball into the area towards Tiffany Milbrett who's shot was blocked by Red Stars GK Caroline Jonsson. Christine Sinclair was there to walk in the rebound. Her 2nd goal of the league.
Nearing half-time the Red Stars second opportunity came. On 37 minutes Karen Carney struck a shot towards goal Pride GK Nicole Barnhart could only parry it. The rebound came to Lindsey Tarpley who sent it inches wide to the left.
The 2nd half was bogged down in midfield with FC Gold Pride having more shots on goal. Chicago had their final chance in the 83rd minute when Carney again shot at goal after collecting a pass from Rapinoe.Barnhart was able to save it for her 3rd save of the match. Chicago only had 3 shots on goal the whole match. Carney with 2 and Tarpley with 1. FC Gold pride outshot Chicago with 5 shots on goal.2nd consecutive loss for the Red Stars. Are they suffering from that bye week? Just how good are FC Gold pride..now up to 3rd in the league just behind Boston. LA Sol next for the at home.


"We played a very good game against the best attacking team in the league, on the road," said FC Gold Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya. "It was a good win for us. We had game plan we stuck to it and played very well. We played a lot of pressure on them in the first half and got a goal.We played with a lot of heart and determination which showed in the last few minutes of the game,We held on defensively. Our back line was outstanding today."

CHICAGO RED STARS COACH EMMA HAYES
“I think the first half our attacking play was exciting. It’s the best we’ve been all season. Nonetheless we didn’t score. At the end of the day we just didn’t score a goal.I think this team has shown and will continue to show it has lots of character. You know they’re disappointed. There’s a quiet locker room right now because they know they could have got a little more from the game, but their character will carry them through.“

Lineups:

Chicago Red Stars – Jönsson; Dalmy (Igwe, 61), Krzysik, Dieke; Carney, Lloyd, Östberg, Klein (Oakes, 69); Rapinoe, Tarpley (Masar, 79), Cristiane.

FC Gold Pride – Barnhart; Buehler, Dew, Robinson; Adriane (Graczyk, 61), Formiga (Weimer, 82), Osborne, DiMartino (Arakawa, 72); Milbrett, Sinclair, Wilson.



LOS ANGELES SOL 1-0 SKY BLUE FC

Gooaalll!

The Los Angeles Sol defeated Sky Blue FC by a 1-0 margin on Friday night at The Home Depot Center. A strike from Brazilian forward Marta was the difference as Los Angeles won its second straight match against their cross-country rivals.
The Sol nearly opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Aya Miyama's low shot slipped through Sky Blue goalkeeper Jenni Branam's hands and squirted to Aly Wagner on the end line, but her rebound went untouched across the goal mouth and Sky Blue cleared it out of danger.
Their next chance came in the 21st minute, as forward Han Duan played a low ball perfectly to Wagner's right foot just inside the penalty area, but Wagner's shot flew wide and high of the goal. Neither team threatened again in the first half and the game was scoreless after 45 minutes.

The second half was a more even battle and it appeared as if Sky Blue FC would get the draw on the road against the league leaders.Sky Blue had a good scoring chance in the 73rd minute when Heather O’Reilly served a cross into the box from the right side and Natasha Kai rose up to head the ball, but her effort was cleared off the line at the right post by the Sol’s Liz Bogus.
The next chance fell to the Sol and Marta.After collecting a long ball from Camille Abily at the top of the penalty area,she was just onside. She split two defenders and put her shot past a sprawling Jenni Branam who had come out to block the shot.

On the 84th minute Kai was stretchered of after she collided with Los Angeles Sol goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc. It looked like a serious injury.

In the closing moments of stoppage time, Meghan Schnur had a golden opportunity to tie the match. A misplay on a cross by the Sol fell right to Schnur, who had ventured forward after playing left back for most of the game, but her awkward shot rolled harmlessly past the left post from six yards out. Win Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Sol Head Coach Abner Rogers
"It was a close battle and each team had opportunities, we had better opportunities in the first half, but we just didn't capitalize. But, at the end of the game, we scored the goal that mattered."

"We had a great fan base tonight; the fans really got to see an exciting match and we were able to reward them with three points."


Los Angeles Sol Forward Marta
"Even though it was an individual play that I scored the goal on, it was the result of a lot of hard work by a lot of my teammates."

"We have a lot of players who are just getting used to one another, the goals will come.

Sky Blue FC Head Coach Ian Sawyers
"Overall, we were unlucky not to come away with a win. The difference was Marta's breakaway that led to the only goal of the game."

"We didn't play well in the first half, so we made some adjustments at halftime and dominated a large part of the second half."

"Overall, we are disappointed, but the team played well."


Lineups:

Los Angeles Sol:
Karina LeBlanc; Brittany Bock, Allison Falk, Martina Franko, Stephanie Cox; Camille Abily, Shannon Boxx (c), Aya Miyama, Aly Wagner (61: Liz Bogus); Han Duan, Marta.

Sky Blue FC: Jenni Branam; Christie Rampone (c), Anita Asante, Megan Schnur, Julianne Sitch; Kelly Parker, Collette McCallum (58: Yael Averbuch), Keeley Dowling; Natasha Kai (84: Jen Buczkowski), Heather O'Reilly, Rosana (67: Kasey White).

Friday 15 May 2009

KELLY SMITH WEEKLY COLUMN - 15th MAY



KELLY SMITH: Brazil star Fabiana's not the only one struggling with the language

By Kelly Smith

In her weekly column for Sportsmail Online, KELLY SMITH finds a little trouble with the language as she travels coast to coast with the Boston Breakers in America's Women's Professional Soccer championship...

In theory we speak the same language, but there are times in America when people don't have a clue what I'm talking about.

Maybe it's the accent - and some of the words are different - but people tell me I talk too quickly. I can stand and talk to someone and see them staring back with blank faces until I break it down slowly for them.

I'm not so different from Fabiana, the Brazilian who's just joined up with the Boston Breakers. Everyone's really excited about her arrival. We're not as cosmopolitan as some of the WPS teams.

<span class=Fabiana and Boston Breakers president and general manager Joe Cummings

American dream: Fabiana is welcomed by Boston Breakers president and general manager Joe Cummings

Everyone has five internationals, but until Fabiana arrived we only had me, my former Arsenal team-mate Alex Scott and the Canadians Christine Lathan and Candace Chapman. So, in theory at least, we all spoke the same language till Fabiana got here. She doesn't seem to know a word of English and has an interpreter.

It will be three or four weeks till she's ready to play full contact as she comes back from anterior cruciate ligament surgery. I've not seen her play before but she won a silver medal with Brazil at the Olympics and everyone is talking about how good she is: really quick and skillful, only just turned 20.

I think her role initially will be coming off the bench for 15-20 minutes, playing up front and trying to change the game with her pace.

Fabiana is not the only one a long way from home. After we play Washington on Sunday, it's back to England for a training camp with the national team and the timing couldn't be better. Next weekend, Boston have a bye week, so I get to stay an extra few days catching up with friends and family.


Hope Powell

Hope and pray: England manager Powell will assess her players in training next week


I'm always having video chats with them using Skype on in the Internet, but the longer you're away, the more you miss home. I can't wait to catch up with my Nan. It's her 80th birthday in June, when I won't be able to come over, so we'll celebrate early.

And I'm desperate to walk my dog, Bailey. Where we live in Boston, by the Charles River, you see so many people running, roller-blading in the mornings and early evenings, and loads of people walking their dogs and playing frisbee with them. It makes me a bit jealous.

There are reminders everywhere. Two of our coaches from the FA are over here and I took a walk with them on Venice Beach when we were in LA last weekend. There were puppies for sale as you walk past, but that was not the most unusual thing.

It was a real eye-opener. It's a melting pot of different kinds of people, exercising, playing volleyball and basketball - and then there's the Muscle Beach gym where the huge guys seem more interested in their biceps and having their photos taken than actually working out. Further along there are tattoo and massage parlours; it's an interesting place to be.

Body builders show of their figures at Muscle Beach

Strike a pose: Body builders show of their figures at Muscle Beach

That was before our match against the Los Angeles Sol at the Home Depot Center. This is where David Beckham plays and the facilities are so impressive. As well as the Sol and the LA Galaxy, the U.S. national team use it and Mexico also play a few games here.

There are so many pitches, all well kept, and I've not seen anything like it before. Only in America do you get so much space and all dedicated to one sport.

We beat LA a week earlier in Boston, but we knew this was going to be a very different game. The heat was in the 80s and it was supposed to be overcast, which it was for the warm-up. But as soon as we came out of the dressing room for the game, the sky had cleared somehow and it was roasting.

But to draw 0-0 is a good result. We've done well the last couple of games so we want to keep that momentum going against Washington at home on Sunday. We've already beaten them away, but they've won and drawn with very late goals in their two games since, so that shows a strong mentality.

Then it's back home on Monday. England haven't got a match but the training camp is no picnic and gives Hope Powell, the manager, a chance to have a look at where all the players are at.

There are about 30 players fighting for about 20 places at the European Championship in August and everyone is being looked at, no matter how many caps you've got. It's a last-gasp chance for some of the players to show what they've got.

My old Arsenal team-mates will no doubt be bouncing. It was about six in the morning in LA when they were kicking off against Everton last Sunday in a match they had to win the retain the League title.

Suzanne Grant and Arsenal Ladies

Gunning for glory: goalscorer Suzanne Grant (second right) leads the celebrations as Arsenal clinch the league title at Everton

I had to get up and leave my room-mate because I was a nervous wreck, getting text updates from a friend at the match. When the first goal went in I was just so thrilled and had to get on the internet to try to find out more. Waiting for that last update was bad, wondering whether they had held on or if Everton had scored.

Thankfully it was good news and I'm made up for Vic Akers, the manager. He deserves it more than anyone, now he's stepping aside, It's hard losing players like he did with me, Alex and Karen Carney in the winter and I saw he's come out and said it was his biggest achievement - alongside winning the UEFA Cup two years ago - to take the Treble this time along.

Everyone at the club has worked so hard and he's really gone out with a bang. Faye White, the captain, emailed me to say had celebrated like when we beat Umea in the UEFA Cup, because they weren't expected to do it.

Everyone was saying how Everton would win the League but they showed how strong their mentality is to come through adversity, really stick together and prove people wrong. That's the kind of language everyone understands.


Freida Pinto as <span class=KELLY'S EYE

This week I... saw Slumdog Millionaire. I tried to read The Secret, the book by Rhonda Byrne that I mentioned last week. But on the plane to LA I managed about one paragraph before sitting back and enjoying the films. It's the first time I've seen Slumdog and it was really good.


Check out the column at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1182830/KELLY-SMITH-Brazil-star-Fabianas-struggling-language.html







WPS PREVIEW WEEK 8

LA Sol vs Sky Blue FC Fri May 15th 10.30pm ET

The Los Angeles Sol and Sky Blue FC face off in front of a television audience on Universal Sports – the first of two Sol-Sky Blue FC games covered by Universal and the first Friday night game in WPS history. The two play each other for the second time this season with their previous match-up ending in a 2-0 Sol victory at TD Bank Park in early April. Los Angeles comes into the game atop the WPS standings for the seventh consecutive week since opening the season with a win in the WPS Inaugural Match, but the team has not won since a 1-0 victory over FC Gold Pride in Week 4. Chinese international Han Duan created some good opportunities against Boston last weekend, but the Sol offense will have to break out of their slump to overcome a stingy Sky Blue FC defense led by Christie Rampone. Having allowed only four goals this season has kept Sky Blue FC competitive in every game so far and helped lead them to their first win last weekend in a 2-0 upset of the Chicago Red Stars. With their offensive stars of Sarah Walsh, Collette McCallum, Natasha Kai and Heather O’Reilly finally clicking, one key goal could make the difference for either team in this cross-country match-up. For Sky Blue FC, it’s their fourth of five consecutive away games before returning home for a game on May 31. Only two WPS teams, Boston and Los Angeles, have been able to secure back-to-back victories so far this season, as Sky Blue FC looks to become the third team in WPS to follow-up a win with another victory.
My predictions 1-1 score draw.



We need to score!

Chicago Red Stars vs FC Gold Pride Sat May 16th 8.30pm ET
The Chicago Red Stars play host to FC Gold Pride for the first ever match-up between the two sides and the Red Stars fourth of five consecutive home games early in the 2009 season. The Red Stars became the last team to fall from the unbeaten ranks on Sunday with their upset loss to Sky Blue FC at Toyota Park. With a win last week, the Red Stars could have moved into first place in the WPS standings but instead remain in third place, three points behind league-leading Los Angeles, but only three points ahead of fifth-place teams Saint Louis, Washington and Sky Blue FC. The Red Stars continue to be led by the goalkeeping of Caroline Jönsson and the offensive touch of Lindsay Tarpley, but need more consistent contributions from 2008 U.S. Soccer Player of the Year Carli Lloyd. FC Gold Pride has shown moments of brilliance this season with some creative attacking soccer, but will need their offensive regulars to start scoring more consistently. In the past two weeks, FC Gold has seen only a converted defender, Leigh Ann Robinson playing at forward, hit the back of the net.
My prediction 2-1 Chicago






Boston Breakers vs Washington Freedom
Sun May 17th 6.oopm ET FSC

The Boston Breakers and Washington Freedom will face each other for the second time this season in the televised FSC game on Sunday. After maintaining their number two spot in WPS Standings with a win and tie, taking four of six points in a home-and-away series against the Los Angeles Sol, the Breakers look ahead to get their younger players on the scoreboard. The Washington Freedom will play without Abby Wambach, out on suspension for one game, and plan to close the gaps in a defense that has allowed a league leading 12 goals.
Offensive veterans, Kelly Smith, Kristine Lilly, Angela Hucles, and Christine Latham have scored all eight of Boston’s goals this season. Half of those goals came from the English superstar, Smith, and Lilly has tallied two. Coach Tony DiCicco is looking for more from striker Amy Rodriguez who has came on as a sub in the last 2 games.
Washington will look to Sonia Bompastor in the abscenec of Abby Wambach to pack a punch at the Boston defence. Washington's own defence will need to improve hugely against Smith & co.The team has struggled to organize defensively. Having allowed the most goals in the league, Washington’s center back, Cat Whitehill, will be vital to pumping up the Freedom’s defensive confidence. The arrival of the long awaited Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod should also re-energize the defense.
My prediction 2-1 Boston win

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