FC GOLD PRIDE 3 - 2 WASHINGTON FREEDOM

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)

Washington Freedom v Saint Louis Athletica Highlights

1-0

WASHINGTON FREEDOM 1 - 0 SAINT LOUIS ATHLETICA

The Washington Freedom took a much needed win against the Saint Louis Athletica at RFK Stadium, Washington on Saturday evening. In the double header with MLS’s DC United in front of a 4600 strong crowd, the Freedom missing Captain Abby Wambach , centre-back Cat Whitehill and GK Erin McLeod to international duty took the tie 1-0 to boost their chances in making the WPS playoffs.

The winning goal came in the 74th minute from the Japanese midfielder Homare Sawa who burst on to the ball in the box and struck the ball towards goal. The ball took a slight deflection of Athletica defender Kia McNeil to go past GK Jillian Loyden in for the missing Hope Solo.

Saint Louis started the 1st half well with defender Nikki Cross playing as a forward getting a chance in 10th minute. Amanda Cinalli crossing the ball into the box and Cross beating the Freedom GK Kati Jo Spisak but hitting the side netting.Cross got another chance on 20 minutes where she headed a ball towards goal, this time Spisak tipped the ball over the bar.
Eniola Aluko made several darting runs and was full of energy on the hot day even though she had just arrived back the day before from England after playing the full 90 minutes of England’s friendly against Iceland on Thursday.
Athletica looked the better side in the 1st half even though they were missing the industry and penetration in midfield of their captain Lori Chalupny. Washington with a much changed backline held strong.

Into the second half Washington saw more of the ball and Sonia Bompastor who was Captain in the absence of Wambach and Whitehill started to take control of the midfield.

The heat looked to play a big part as the play slowed down dramatically.

On the 64th minute the Freedom had drama of their own. Goalkeeper Spisak suffered a quad injury and GK Coach Nicci Wright had to come on. Wright was on the bench due to McLeod on international duty with Canada and Briana Scurry out injured.

Athletica failed to test the 36 yr old keeper and didn’t create many chances in the 2nd half.

In the 74th minute Kendall Fletcher lost the ball at the top of the box and Sawa latched on to the ball to drive into the penalty box to score the goal giving the Freedom the Win.

With the win, Washington (5-6-5, 20 points) jumped into fourth place in the WPS standings. Saint Louis (7-6-2, 23 points) remain in 2nd.This could all change later this weekend though.

Washington has four games left, while Saint Louis has five left. Three playoff spots are still up for grabs. Washington returns to action Sunday, July 26th, playing at the Chicago Red Stars. Saint Louis takes the pitch again Wednesday, July 22nd against Sky Blue FC.



“Near the end of the game, they weren’t able to put on any pressure and get any clear chances. Defensively we were solid; it was nice to have a coach back there organizing things,” said Freedom head coach Jim Gabarra.

“It’s so different when you’re out of it…it’s more of a mental issue,” Nicci Wright said of her abrupt return from retirement. “I retired for a reason, because I wanted to coach.”

“There’s a feeling of relief when [the ball] makes it into your hands…[you] get that first save and you’re kinda like, I’m fine, I’m okay.”

"It's pretty frustrating," said defender Tina Ellertson. "We really wanted to get a win because it's the last time we play them. We thought we were prepared and united together, but we didn't capitalize when we should and they did. It's unfortunate."

"We tried to (challenge her)," said Athletica forward Eniola Aluko, "but we couldn't even get the ball to the top (of the penalty box). It was tough to get to areas where we could shoot. It was frustrating."

Lineup:

Washington Freedom : Kati Jo Spisak(Nicci Wright 64); Jill Gilbeau, Alex Singer, Becky Sauerbrunn; Sarah Senty ;Lori Lindsey, Sonia Bompastor (C) , Homare Sawa, Alex Krieger(Joanna Lohman 79 ); Lisa De Vanna, Rebacca Moros.(Allie Long 59)

Saint Louis Athletica: Jillian Loyden;Stephanie Logterman (Kia McNeill 63), Sarah Larsson, Tina Ellertson (C), Elise Weber; Lisa Stoia, Amanda Cinalli (Erin Walter 46), Angie Woznuk, Kendall Fletcher;Nikki Cross (Sarah Walsh 68), Eniola Aluko

WPS PREVIEW WEEK 3

This weekends matches all take place on Saturday April 11th.

Washington Freedom (0-1) v. Chicago Red Stars (1-0) 6pm ET FSC

Having had a bye week last weekend Washington have had time to work on their chemsitry & tactics and how to get more players in attack to support Abby Wambach which was missing in the inaugural match. Coach Jim Gabarra wants the players to play faster & more together. He believes that will come the more games they play together. Look for better games from Japan's Homare Sawa and Lisa De Vana the Australian international.
The Red Stars were lucky to get a win...(Carli Lloyd's words not mine) against St Louis but their defence was strong. Look for them to get their attacking players more involved. Megan Rapinoe should be recovered from her illness, Karen Carney once again should be involved a lot more in attack and Coach Emma Hayes has indicated Cristiane is fit & will be involved.
My Prediction 2-1 Away win for Chicago.

Boston Breakers (0-1) v. St Louis Athletica (0-1) 7pm ET

With both teams coming off opening match losses i expect an open attacking match.
Boston underachieved in all areas of the pitch. Heather Mitts in her blog said that apart from Kelly Smith, they didn't turn up. US national team player Angela Hucles and Kacey Moore need to make a dent in midfield. They were nowhere in the 1st game.Canadian forward Christine Latham was static upfront, maybe the speedy Kelly Schmedes should get a look from the start as she created more than the former when she was introduced as a sub.
St Louis Athletica are waiting on the state of defender Tina Ellerton who came off due to injury before deciding on their line-up.Unlucky to lose, Coach Barcellos is looking for players to put the ball in the back of the net. Talented Notre Dame midfielder Amanda Cinalli could be back in the starting line-up, which will help former Notre Dame teammate forward Kerri Hanks get more into the game.Look for a better game from the Brazillian Daniela after spending more time with her teamates. She only arrived a few days before the first game.
My prediction a score draw. ( A cop-out ..i know. haha).


Sky Blue FC (0-1) v. FC Gold Pride (1-0) 7.45pm ET

Sky Blue look to bounce back from a dissapointing loss to LA Sol. Captain Christie Rampone hopes to be fit after suffering a hamstring twinge in their first game. I hope she is fit too. The defence without her was slow and with Gold Prides' speedy forwards i worry about the Blues.
Natasha Kai needs to show more.
FC Gold Pride have an injury of their own to overcome. Brazilian defender Erika suffered a broken nose in the 1st game and is not considered for the game. Coach Albertin Montoya has said that Notre Dame defender Carrie Dew will start in defence. Look for Tino DiMartino to start in midfield and for Gold Pride to attack again from the outset.
My Prediction a 2-1 away win to FC Gold Pride.