Washington Freedom v NJ Sky Blue FC Highlights

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WASHINGTON FREEDOM 1 - 2 NJ SKY BLUE FC

Sky Blue FC claimed a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Washington Freedom at the Maryland SoccerPlex yesterday to advance to the Super Semi-Finals of the WPS against Saint Louis Athletica.

Natasha Kai and Francielle both came off the bench to score with Francielle’s game-winning goal coming in the 84th minute.

With a 4 p.m. kickoff, the game was played in stifling 92-degree heat and that slowed the pace of the game noticeably.Sky Blue FC held the upper hand in the first half with a 14-5 advantage in shots. Rosana had a great chance in the seventh minute but volleyed right at Freedom keeper Erin McLeod. In the 21st minute, McLeod charged out the block a chance by Kerri Hanks, who started in place of Kai up front.

Washington did not create many chances in the first half. Abby Wambach and Lisa DeVanna did not make the impacts as expected and they looked like they were not on the same page.The whole first half they didn't manage a shot on goal.

In the second half, the Freedom started to create and play well. Ali Krieger hit a great chance over from close range less than two minutes in.

But the game turned in the 54th minute when Kai was substituted in for Hanks. With fresh legs against a tiring defence Kai latched on to a ball from Kacey White, stole the ball away from Cat Whitehill by sneaking in from behind her and rounded McLeod to put Sky Blue 1- nil up.

Washington were shocked into a response as Wambach shot right at Jenni Branam in the 61st minute and then Branam made a key save seven minutes later tipping a blast by Krieger off the crossbar.

The Freedom goal came in the 78th minute off a long ball played forward into the box. Branam charged off her line to box the ball and collided into Wambach in the process. The ball went right to De Vanna and the Australian striker nailed a shot just under the crossbar beating two defenders on the line to tie the score at 1-1.

It looked like the game was going to overtime when in the 84th minute Francielle received a pass from Yael Averbuch to the left side. She froze a defender with a move off the dribble and then unleashed a low shot from 20 yards that nicked off the fingertips of McLeod and into the lower right corner. McLeod should have saved the shot but it just sneaked in the inside of the post.

Sky Blue held out for the win by playing keep ball and making Washington run after the ball which they couldn't do in the searing heat.

Well deserved victory for Sky Blue and Interim player/coach Christie Rampone which keeps their season alive after so many off the field disturbances.They will travel directly to St. Louis to prepare for the WPS Super Semifinal at the Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park in Fenton, Mo.



Washington Freedom Head Coach Jim Gabarra

"It's difficult to play the same team twice in a row at home.They had a specific game plan, and we didn't get a goal to force them out of it. We let it play into their game plan. It was a very average performance."

On missing Sonia Bompastor

"She has been our security blanket."


Washington Freedom Forward Abby Wambach

"It was a game with a team like them, who were just keeping possession and getting crosses in the box, against a team like us, who were trying to get in behind on the transition. When you have two teams playing those opposite systems, and if we had gotten a little bit lucky, the result could have been totally different."



Interim Player/ Coach Christie Rampone

"I think the heat is just how you handle it. I was telling the girls that everyone was hot – deal with it and make the ball work. I think it definitely slowed the game for both sides but I think we got the better of it; pinging the ball around, especially late in the game, you could see when we were spraying the ball they didn’t want to make the 20-yard run. The key was keeping the ball and not giving away too many balls in the middle.

After our goal, I really felt like the team settled in and even though they scored, I still felt pretty confident in the team. A couple minutes after the goal they had a little momentum but we got it back. They left Fran wide open and she hit a good shot and we finished out better than we normally do."

Sky Blue FC forward Natash Kai

"I knew I needed to come in and help the team out and give that extra fire, that spark.The ball went over and I just saw Kacey with the ball. I don’t know if she was trying to shoot it or if it was more like a half cross. It had a weird spin to it and I knew Cat (Whitehill) had no idea I was behind her. I knew that if I beat her to the ball it was an easy goal for me.

They came back and scored a great goal but then Fran came in and finished an awesome ball. This is what we needed to do – coming into the playoffs we needed to score and play defense as a team. Our three subs that came in played strong and helped the team out."

Lineups:

Washington Freedom: Erin McLeod; Sarah Senty, Cat Whitehill, Becky Sauerbrunn, Ali Krieger; Lori Lindsey (Sarah Huffman 73'), Jill Gilbeau (Alex Singer 46'), Homare Sawa, Rebecca Moros (Allie Long 59'); Lisa De Vanna, Abby Wambach(C).

Sky Blue FC: Jenni Branam; Jen Buczkowski, Keeley Dowling, Meghan Schnur, Christie Rampone(C) ; Yael Averbuch, Collette McCallum (Francielle 61'), Heather O'Reilly, Kacey White (Kelly Parker 71'); Rosana, Kerri Hanks (Natasha Kai 54').

WPS PLAYOFF - 1ST ROUND

Washington Freedom v NJ Sky Blue FC Sat Aug 15th 4pm ET Live FSN , CSN , Webcast

This WPS First Round will be a re-match of last week’s playoff clinching match-up at the Maryland SoccerPlex, between the Washington Freedom and NJ Sky Blue FC.

It's the last chance for both teams to advance. No get out clauses this time.The rematch was made possible when Boston lost to Los Angeles, clinching a spot for Sky Blue FC.

The Freedom are coming in hot, having won four of their last five games and were a solid 5-2-3 at home this year, the second-best home record in the league (some games played at RFK Stadium).

Sky Blue are coming in confident as well despite the defeat to Washington. They have had more time in training to get the confidence and tactics right.

Both teams are missing players to the Euro 2009. Washington will miss their bright spark French international Sonia Bompastor and Sky Blue will miss the pacy English defender Anita Asante and Goalkeeper Karen Bardsley who was also called by England.

Both teams will need to be mindful of the goals they concede. In the 3 matches already between the sides the Freedom outscored Sky Blue 9-6.

Sky Blue will have to find a way to contain strikers Abby Wambach and Lisa De Vanna. Two pacy players without the speed of Asante.

The Washington defence will keep their eyes on striker Natasha Kai. Kai herself will be looking to take the many chances she will almost certainly get during the game.

The winner can look forward to a match with the Saint Louis Athletica who are waiting in the Super Semi- Final on Wednesday evening.

WASHINGTON FREEDOM 3 - 1 NJ SKY BLUE FC

Two goals and an assist from forward Abby Wambach propelled the Washington Freedom to a 3-1 win over Sky Blue FC on Saturday night at the Maryland SoccerPlex.

With the win, Washington clinches a playoff spot and the third seed in the WPS Playoffs, meaning they will host next week’s first round match against either Sky Blue FC or the Boston Breakers

Washington came out attacking early and was the better team in the first half. After heading the ball just over the bar in the 14th minute, Rebecca Moros set up the opening goal for the Freedom in the 19th minute when she crossed a ball in from the right side for Wambach to finish from close range.

Sky Blue FC put together a prolonged offensive spurt later in the opening half but came away empty from its efforts. In the 33rd minute, Yael Averbuch played a nice ball behind for Natasha Kai and the Sky Blue FC striker lifted the ball over charging Freedom keeper Erin McLeod but wide of the goal. A minute later, Heather O'Reilly sent a serve into the box that Rosana headed wide and in the 36th minute, Kacey White lined a deflection off an O'Reilly cross over the bar.
In the 44^th minute, Rosana got loose down the right wing and cracked a shot from about 12 yards out, but McLeod leapt to her right and parried the shot over the goal.

Washington struck for a timely goal four minutes into the second half on 48th minute thanks to the Lisa De Vanna-Wambach combination. De Vanna carried the ball up the left side and sent a great low cross through the box for Wambach to finish easily into an open goal at the far post.

Rosana brought Sky Blue FC back within one with a 23-yard bomb to the top left corner of the goal in the 53^rd minute.

However, Washington responded four minutes later to regain the two-goal edge by a goal by De Vanna. Wambach sent in a hard, low cross from the right for the Australian striker to touch inside the left post from eight yards out.

Sky Blue again got chances towards the end of the half but were unable to convert.

Kai penetrated the Freedom defense and fired a shot, which McLeod got a glove on, it was cleared off the line by Becky Sauerbrunn. And in the 85th minute Rosana saw her curling free-kick from 25 yards out hit the crossbar.

The Freedom held on for the win and a playoff spot.

Both teams now await the result between the Boston Breakers and Los Angles Sol on Sunday to learn whether the Freedom will be hosting Boston or Sky Blue FC in the First Round match on August 15th.


Washington Head Coach Jim Gabarra

“We have won three in a row at home and are playing our best soccer of the season,Trending upward as a team heading into the playoffs is great and being able to play at home is huge for us.”


Washington Freedom forward Abby Wambach

"It's huge,Obviously now we're going to be watching who wins the game tomorrow [between] Boston and L.A. . . . We're glad to have the playoff game here. We feel that this environment that the Washington Freedom community puts out is an environment that is playoff [comparable] almost every game."


Lineups:

Washington Freedom: Erin McLeod; Sarah Senty, Cat Whitehill, Becky Sauerbrunn, Ali Krieger; Lori Lindsey (Jill Gilbeau 71'), Sonia Bompastor (Allie Long 90+'), Homare Sawa, Rebecca Moros (Joanna Lohman 84'); Lisa De Vanna, Abby Wambach(C).

Sky Blue FC: Jenni Branam; Christie Rampone(C), Anita Asante, Meghan Schnur (Jen Buczkowski 68'), Keeley Dowling; Kelly Parker (Collette McCallum 45'), Heather O'Reilly, Yael Averbuch, Rosana; Kacey White, Natasha Kai.

WPS PREVIEW WEEK 20

Well it's finally hear. The last week of the regular season in the inaugural WPS league. Oh my it has been exciting.
There are three teams still in the hunt, but only two playoff spots remain.It's all come down to this final weekend.
In a nutshell really all teams need to win. They are in control of their own destiny.





Washington Freedom v NJ Sky Blue FC Sat Aug 8 7pm ET Live Audio HERE



This game is a playoff elimination match.Regardless of the outcome of this game, one of the teams will have to sit back and watch the Boston Breakers vs. Los Angeles Sol game on Sunday to see if they qualify for the WPS Playoffs.

Why both matches were not scheduled at the same time mystifies us here.

Sky Blue FC take on the Washington Freedom at the Maryland Soccerplex in a must win game.

Sky Blue FC and the Washington Freedom enter the match tied on points with a 7-7-5 record for 26 points but Washington holds the head-to-head tiebreaker at this point with a win and a tie in the two previous meetings between the teams.

Sky Blue FC heads into the match on the heels of an impressive 2-0 victory over FC Gold Pride on Wednesday night. Rosana and Natasha Kai scored goals while Karen Bardsley posted the shutout in goal as a surprise starter.

The Freedom dropped a 3-2 decision on the road to FC Gold Pride last Saturday in the team’s most recent action. That result broke a four-match unbeaten run for Washington, which had posted three straight wins to climb to third place in the standings. Abby Wambach scored three goals during the winning streak to earn WPS Player of the Month honors for July.

Sonia Bompastor is still available to play for Washington. This will be her last game. She leaves to join her French national teamates for Euro 2009 on Monday.

The Freedom signed goalkeeper Katie Forbis due to injuries to their backup keepers. Forbis had been playing with the Charlotte W-League team before joining the Freedom last week.

For Sky Blue. Goalkeeper Jenni Branam could make her return after sitting out Wednesday's match. English defender Anita Asante returns straight to the starting line-up from suspension as she will also play her last game before leaving for the Euro 2009 championships.


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Boston Breakers v Los Angeles Sol Sun Aug 9th 6pm ET Live FSC & Webcast


The Boston Breakers come into Sunday’s regular-season finale (6 p.m., Harvard Stadium) against the league-leading Los Angeles Sol needing at least a tie, and maybe more, in order to secure a playoff spot.

The Breakers (7-8-4, 25 points) find themselves in fifth place coming into the weekend, one point behind both the Washington Freedom and Sky Blue FC, which play each other on Saturday. Only two of the three teams will earn a spot in the playoffs.

The Breakers, who are the only team that is unbeaten this season against the Sol, come into Sunday’s match having lost two-straight - both 1-0 decisions on the road to Washington and Saint Louis. Boston has not scored a goal in 345 minutes, the team’s longest such streak this season. Conversely, the team’s defense has been stellar, allowing just two goals in the past five matches.

Los Angeles has seen their momentum slow down in recent weeks. The Sol booked their playoff spot early on back on June 29, and subsequently clinched the WPS Regular Season title on July 23. Los Angeles has won just once since securing that playoff spot, a 1-0 win over Washington on July 5, and are just 1-2-1 in July and August.

The teams’ only previous meetings came in a home-and-home series in early May. The Breakers became the first team in the league to score upon, and defeat the Sol with a 2-1 win on May 2 at home. The teams drew, 0-0, eight days later in California.

Kelly Smith and Alex Scott will play their last games for the Breakers. Scott coming back from a suspension. Head coach Tony DiCicco is also back from suspension.

The Sol may start again without French star Camille Abily or maybe they will let her play the final game to try and get the win.

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FC Gold Pride v Saint Louis Athletica Sun Aug 9th 8pm ET


The final game of the 2009 WPS Regular Season will see FC Gold Pride and Saint Louis Athletica play at Buck Shaw Stadium, Santa Clara.

The Pride is currently 0-2-1 against the Athletica and is looking to finish out its season with a victory. Both teams have already secured their postseason fate. The Pride will remain out of contention for a playoff berth despite the outcome of Sunday’s match while the Athletica earned a guaranteed playoff berth earlier in the season with a win over the Boston Breakers on August 1.

On July 22, a late goal by Christine Sinclair knotted the score at 1-1 for the Pride and kept Saint Louis from clinching a playoff berth for another week.

Brazilian star Formiga is still a doubt to start the match for Gold Pride.

Athletica again will look to shape their side for the upcoming playoff game. Christie Welsh could start again after scoring twice on Wednesday against the Red Stars.

A win over Saint Louis would give Gold Pride a win over five of the league’s six teams they have faced during the course of the season – proving the depth of WPS in its Inaugural Season that on any given day, any team can win.

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)

WPS PREVIEW WEEK 19

FC Gold Pride v Washington Freedom Sat Aug 1st 6pm ET

FC Gold Pride take on the Washington Freedom for the last time at Buck Shaw Stadium Santa Clara.
This is the third and final match-up between the teams. The Pride, currently 0-2 against the Freedom, will look to continue and build off their last two strong outings by putting an end to the team's 10-game winless skid and putting three points on the board this weekend.

FC Gold Pride has shown their resilience, stepping up their play in tough matches against the league's top two teams, earning ties against Athletica and Sol. In the team's most recent match, Pride forward, Christine Sinclair responded to the Athletica's 28th minute goal, scoring in the 87th minute of Sunday's match to tie up the game against Hope Solo and the Athletica. The Pride will look to Sinclair and her attacking force to create scoring opportunities this weekend.

As to the starting line-up for Gold Pride. Formiga their Brazilian midfielder may not take to the field. She is nursing a right knee sprain.

The Washington Freedom look to continue their momentum from their last four matches. They have not been beaten in four and have won the last three. The last one against Boston Breakers on Wednesday night.
With a win against FC Gold Pride, the Freedom would clinch a playoff spot. They currently sit in third place with 26 points, just one point behind the second place Saint Louis Athletica, one point ahead of the Boston Breakers, and three points ahead of Sky Blue FC.

Abby Wambach has scored 3 goals in the last 2 games.

No injury concerns for the Freedom but tiredness may play a part. This will be Washington's fourth game in 15 days all over the country.

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Saint Louis Athletica v Boston Breakers Sat Aug 1st 8pm ET Live KPLR , Webcast , audio Team1380.net


Both the Saint Louis Athletica and Boston Breakers can once again try to clinch that playoff spot with a win Saturday evening at The Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park.
Both teams failed in their last match to get the 3 pts which would have secured the spot.

The previous meetings between these two clubs have both been in Boston and produced a split. The first meeting in April resulted in a 2-0 win for the Breakers as they scored twice in the second half. The next encounter on June 14 was a 1-0 win for Saint Louis with Eniola Aluko netting the game-winner.

Few changes will be expected for Head Coach Jorge Barcellos’ side that has earned points in five of their last six games. Athletica has taken 13 out of a possible 18 points as they recorded a 4-1-1 mark during this stretch of play. Niki Cross is expected to start at forward for a fourth straight game. Cross scored her first career WPS goal last week in a 1-1 draw against FC Gold Pride.

Defender Sara Larsson is questionable for action due to a nerve in her back and Amanda Cinalli is also questionable as she recovers from a shoulder injury. Both players are available for duty though.

Boston will have to do without the services of defender Alex Scott, who was sent off with a red card in the fifth minute of Wednesday’s match against Washington, and will therefore miss Saturday’s game through suspension.
Kelly Smith could get a start after coming off the bench against the Freedom and playing for over 30 minutes. After the game she said her knee was feeling fine.

Head Coach Tony DiCicco is also suspended due to his comments about the officiating of the Washington game. He will not be on the touchline.

Forward Amy Rodriguez did not travel.


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Chicago Red Stars v Los Angeles Sol Sun Aug 2nd 6pm ET Live FSC, Webcast



It's Brazilian night at Toyota Park, as the Chicago Red Stars take on the Los Angeles Sol for their last home match of the season.

It's a meaningless match between the two as the Sol have already clinched the regular season crown and the Red Stars have been eliminated from playoff contention but since it's the first time LA have been in town the Red Stars are billing it as 'Brazilian night'. A match up between Cristiane and Marta the two great forwards for Brazil.

The two team have met twice before with a draw and a win for the Sol. That one was a 4-0 rout.

No injuries to report for Chicago. Australian midfielder Heather Garriock who is working her way back to fitness may get a start after some game time in the last two matches.

LA may alter their line-up in preparation for the championship game. Camile Abily who will not play in that game may sit out this game as Coach Rogers looks to integrate her replacement on the field.
The game will be a homecoming for LA's Brittany Bock. She played college soccer for Notre Dame.

Washington Freedom v Boston Breakers Highlights

WASHINGTON FREEDOM 1 - 0 BOSTON BREAKERS

Abby Wambach scored the winning goal for the Washington Freedom against the Boston Breakers last night at the Maryland Soccerplex to keep Washington on-track for the playoffs.

The Freedom leapfrog the Breakers into 3rd place in the standings , with a game in hand.

The game started badly for Boston when Alex Scott was redcarded in the 5th minute for a tackle against Sonia Bompastor. Studs were showing as Scott slide tackled and caught Bompastor on the ankle. That changed the game. Boston retreated into a defensive shell and played counterattack.

As a result of the red card, the Freedom enjoyed the better of the play for much of the first half, although Boston did mount some pressure in the later stages, and was only out-shot, 6-4.

The best scoring chance of the first half came from Rebecca Moros in the 21st minute, when she received a cross with space to the far post on the right side of the goal, but she shot high over the bar.

The Freedom did not make the most of their player advantage. The midfield did not penetrate and they were not stretching the Breakers enough.

The 2nd half was pretty much the same with Washington finding it difficult to break down the Breakers. Allie Long came on in the 58th minute for Moros to bring some creativity to their attack. With close ball control and the willingness to dribble at defenders, Long added a spark to Washington.

Kelly Smith came on for the Breakers on 55 minutes for Jenni Nobis. Whenever Smith got the ball Freedom defender Cat Whithill followed. At one point she followed Smith into the Boston half hounding her until Smith lost control of the ball.

Wambach's goal came in the 73rd minute when she stole the ball from a Boston midfielder , passed it to strike partner Lisa De Vanna who 1-2'd it back to Wambach in the penalty area. Wambach beat the defender and shot a low ball passed GK Ali Lipsher.

Boston nearly leveled the game in stoppage time when Smith broke free from her marker and shot a hard ball towards goal. Washington GK Erin McLeod making a spectacular stop tiping the ball over the bar to preserve the lead. The ball was heading for the top right hand corner.

Both teams play their next games on Saturday. Washington head to North California to play FC Gold Pride.For the Freedom it will be their third game in a week. A win will see them jump to 2nd place in the standing for a few hours till the Athletica game.

Boston head to Saint Louis to take on 2nd place Athletica. A win there would put them in the playoffs.



"We were way too frantic," Freedom Coach Jim Gabarra said. "And we weren't using the width and we weren't possessing at all."

“I’m really proud of the players, they played their hearts out,” said Breakers head coach Tony DiCicco. “The game changed unfortunately in the fifth minute and Washington did what they needed to do. I just feel very bad for my players to have to have played a very difficult game.”

Lineups:

WASHINGTON: Erin McLeod; Jill Gilbeau (Kristin DeDycker, 82), Cat
Whitehill, Becky Sauerbrunn, Alex Singer (Ali Krieger, 39); Sonia
Bompastor, Homare Sawa, Lori Lindsey, Rebecca Moros (Allie Long, 58); Lisa De Vanna, Abby Wambach (C) .

BOSTON: Alli Lipsher; Alex Scott, Amy LePeilbet, Candace Chapman, Heather
Mitts; Maggie Tomecka, Fabiana (Nancy Augustyniak-Goffi, 70),
Mary-Frances Monroe (Kelly Schmedes, 64), Angela Hucles, Kristine
Lilly (C) ; Jennie Nobis (Kelly Smith, 56).

WPS MIDWEEK MATCH 29/07/09

Washington Freedom v Boston Breakers Wed July 29th 8pm ET Live Comcast Sportsnet


Wednesday will mark the fourth and final regular season game between the Washington Freedom (6-6-5, 23 pts.) and Boston Breakers (7-6-4, 25 pts.). Just two points separate the two teams, giving this game vital importance as they fight for a spot in the playoffs. The winner of the game will find themselves in no worse than third place in the league standings, while Boston also has the opportunity to jump ahead of Saint Louis Athletica and into second place, although with a game in hand over Athletica.

Head to Head the Breakers lead with 2 wins and a draw.


The Freedom have also gone unbeaten in their previous three matches, including wins in their last two. Washington is the highest scoring team in the league with 26 goals scored, and yet has also conceded the most goals (28). Abby Wambach is tied for the team lead with Lisa De Vanna, having scored five times on the year, including a brace on either side of halftime in the team’s 3-2 win over Chicago on Sunday.

Boston is unbeaten in its last three matches and have not allowed a goal in 323 consecutive minutes, a team season-best. In fact, the Breakers have not allowed a goal to a team other than Sky Blue in eight matches since a 1-1 tie versus FC Gold Pride on June 17. That match was the first start for goalkeeper Alli Lipsher, who is now fourth in the league with five shutouts.

For Washington Ali Krieger could be fit to start. She has been training the past few days.
Boston's defender Sue Weber is out for the season after undergoing knee surgery last week.
Kelly Smith travelled with the team to DC but could start on the bench.

Chicago Red Stars v Washington Freedom Highlights

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WPS UPDATE

Playoff Picture

Week 18 didn’t do much to clarify the playoff picture but it did mark the official end of any post-season dreams for two WPS teams. With a loss Sunday to Washington, the Chicago Red Stars were officially eliminated from playoff contention, as was FC Gold Pride. The Bay Area side needed a victory over Saint Louis to stay in mathematical contention.

The Los Angeles Sol became the first team to clinch their seed in the WPS Playoffs Thursday with a scoreless draw against FC Gold Pride that gave the Sol the WPS Regular Season title. As champions of the regular season, Los Angeles earns the right to host the WPS Championship on August 22 at 4pm ET/1pm PT at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

But positions 2-5 in the WPS Standings are as jumbled as ever as Washington moved into a tie with Sky Blue FC for fourth-place with a game in hand over the New Jersey side. With nine games left in the WPS Regular Season, here’s a basic team-by-team playoff overview with this week’s clinching or elimination scenarios in the current order of the standings:

1.) Los Angeles Sol – has clinched the WPS Regular Season title and a spot in the WPS Championship

2.) Saint Louis Athletica – will clinch a playoff spot and guarantee a home playoff game with a victory on Saturday vs. the Boston Breakers

3.) Boston Breakers – will clinch a playoff spot with a victory on Wednesday vs. the Washington Freedom and could clinch a home playoff game with two victories this week

4.) Washington Freedom – August 8th game vs. Sky Blue FC to close the season looms on the horizon as a key game if these two teams remain within three points of each other.

5.) Sky Blue FC – August 8th game vs. Washington Freedom to close the season looms on the horizon as a key game if these two teams remain within three points of each other.

6.) Chicago Red Stars – Eliminated from playoffs

7.) FC Gold Pride – Eliminated from playoffs

Standings

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
(C) L.A.	18	11	5	2	24	6	38
Saint Louis	17	8	3	6	15	14	27
Boston	17	7	4	6	17	16	25
Washington	17	6	5	6	26	28	23
Sky Blue	18	6	5	7	16	17	23
Chicago	18	4	5	9	15	22	17
Gold Pride	17	3	5	9	13	23	14

CHICAGO RED STARS 2 - 3 WASHINGTON FREEDOM

The Chicago Red Stars were eliminated from the playoff contention after going down 1 minute from time by the Washington Freedom at Toyota Park.

In front of their 2nd biggest home crowd, 5226 and wearing green shirts for charity for the Environment the Red Stars had got off to a great start but were pipped at the post by an Allie Long goal.

Chicago’s Megan Rapinoe got the scoring going in the game when she took a Carli Lloyd pass and beat Freedom goalie Erin McLeod to the right corner of the net on the 15th minute.

Freedom then leveled the game through a Abby Wambach goal in the 35th minute. Wambach had several chances before that to score , getting closer each time. This time she out muscles or virtually runs over Red Stars defender Ifeoma Dieke to run in on goal.

Into the 2nd half and Wambach put the Freedom in front in the 56th minute, 2-1, to score her 5th goal of the season from a pass from Lisa De Vanna.

Red Stars heads started to drop as they couldn't get a foothold in the game and passes and movement of the ball were not what it should be.

Australian Heather Garriock was substituted in on the 68th minute for Captain Lindsey Tarpley and immediately made an impact on her teamates and on the game. On her first touch of the ball Garriock sent a ball to Karen Carney wide open on the right side of the net. Carney drilled a shot to the other side of the goal to level the match once again 2-2.

It looked like the game was going to peater as a draw when Long a 74th minute substitute dribbled her way into the box past several Red Stars defenders(like they weren't there) to coolly slot the ball past the on rushing Caroline Jonsson in the 89th minute.

Cruel end to the game and the season for the Red Stars.

With the loss, Chicago remains at 17 points with two games remaining in the regular season. Washington moves into a tie with Sky Blue FC for 23 points. Because those two teams still have a head-to-head meeting remaining, the Red Stars have been eliminated from postseason contention.

Chicago Red Stars Head Coach Emma Hayes

“I think everybody knows it was a must win game for both teams. I think we started out relatively ok, but after the first goal we were very flat. We looked quite tired and the heat seemed to drain us quite a bit. We struggled to retain the ball and equally struggled to try to position when we lost it. Credit to Washington, I thought they should have scored more than one goal in the first half.”

“I don’t think the back four had a good game today. I thought as a unit they struggled. But I also think that you have to work to deny service into them, in the front and the midfielders, and I don’t think we got close to them consistently enough in the first half.”

“I think for us as a team from this point on we want to make sure that we put in good performances for our fans and start the rebuilding process going into next season to make sure that we have the vital pieces that are going to push this team on.”

Washington Freedom Head Coach Jim Gabbara

“I told our team before the game today that we couldn’t ask to be in a better position because we control our own playoff destiny and do not have to rely on other teams to help us,” said Gabarra. “This might be our toughest stretch all year with three games in three cities in a week but we responded today on the road against a team that desperately needed a win.”


Lineups:

Chicago Red Stars – Caroline Jönsson; Marian Dalmy,Jill Oakes, Ifeoma Dieke, Natalie Spilger (Frida Östberg, 61); Karen Carney,Carli Lloyd, Brittany Klein, Megan Rapinoe (Ella Masar, 55); Lindsey Tarpley(C) , (Heather Garriock, 68), Cristiane.

Washington Freedom – Erin McLeod; Jill Gilbeau, Cat Whitehill, Becky Sauerbrunn, Alex Singer (Allie Long, 74); Rebecca Moros (Joanna Lohman, 81), Homare Sawa, Lori Lindsey, Sonia Bompastor; Abby Wambach(C) ,Lisa De Vanna.

WPS PREVIEW WEEK 18

Boston Breakers v NJ Sky Blue FC Sat July 25th 7pm ET

The Boston Breakers can clinch a playoff berth this weekend as they return home to face northeast nemesis Sky Blue FC in WPS action Saturday at 7 p.m. (ET) at Harvard Stadium. A Boston win and a Washington loss on Sunday would clinch a playoff spot for the Breakers.

Sky Blue FC have won all three previous meetings between the two.

A win on Saturday by Boston would put them back in second with a one-point lead over Athletica, pending Saint Louis’ match Sunday versus FC Gold Pride. The Los Angeles Sol clinched the regular season title last night, meaning teams are now playing to host the Super Semifinal (August 18 or 19) as the second seed.

The Breakers coming off a 1-0 win against FC Gold Pride will have all their national team players back. Expect to see Alex Scott, Amy LePeilbet, Candace Chapman and Heather Mitts all return to the backline.Kelly Smith is still doubtful with a knee injury. She didn't play any games while on International duty with England.

Sky Blue FC are still in fourth place despite the loss Wednesday at Saint Louis. They currently are two points in front of the Washington Freedom for the fourth and final playoff spot, but have played one more match than the Freedom. The New Jersey club will have to play without captain and starting central defender Christie Rampone, who underwent emergency abdominal surgery while with the U.S. National Team in Rochester, N.Y. last week. She is hopeful to return to action by the end of the season. But they welcome back English star Anita Asante and Heather O'Reilly.

All three previous meetings were determined by just one goal. Sky Blue FC won the first two matches at home, 2-1, on May 31 and, 1-0, on July 4. They then took the first meeting in Boston, 2-1, on July 12.

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Chicago Red Stars v Washington Freedom Sun July 26th 4pm ET Live Webcast

The Washington Freedom travels to Chicago this Sunday to face the Red Stars at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. It will be the fourth and final regular season meeting between the two teams.

The Freedom will be looking for their first win against the Red Stars, as they have drawn 1 and lost twice to them, the last lost being at Toyota park last month where Chicago made WPS history coming from behind to win.

Chicago are coming of a defeat by Sky Blue FC in their previous match which kept them in 6th place in the WPS standings. A win would keep them in contention for a playoff spot.
Carli Lloyd, Lindsey Tarpley,Megan Rapinoe and Karen Carney all return from their national teams.

The Freedom, on the other hand played a hard-fought battle with Saint Louis Athletica and came away with the win and the shutout, their third of the season.Abby Wambach, Cat Whitehill and Erin McLeod will slot back into the starting 11.

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Saint Louis Athletica v FC Gold Pride Sun July 26th 6pm ET Live FSC and Webcast

Saint Louis Athletica and FC Gold Pride both enter Sunday’s match at The Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park in Fenton, Mo. on the brink. All eyes will be on them and so will the Fox Soccer camera's.

A must win for different reasons for the two teams.

For second-place Saint Louis, a victory combined with a Sky Blue FC loss or tie in its match Saturday versus the Boston Breakers will secure a post-season berth for the Athletica.
For last-place FC Gold Pride, who enters the match with a nine-game winless streak, a loss will officially eliminate them from the playoff hunt.

With four games left each, the Pride is in dire straits needing to earn three points in every remaining match to have a shot at the post-season, while the Athletica is looking to earn maximum points to secure a second-place finish and a bye into the WPS Super Semifinal.

Hope Solo and Melissa Tancredi return for Athletica. Defender Niki Cross will continue her stance up top to compliment striker Eniola Aluko.
Gold Pride will welcome back defender Rachel Buehler and more importantly forward Christie Sinclair.

Will the Athletica clinch a playoff berth? With FC Gold Pride be eliminated from the post-season chase? Exciting stuff!

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 17

Washington Freedom v Saint Louis Athletica Sat July 18 5pm ET Live CSN, KPLR, Webcast,
Live audio www.team1380.net

Saint Louis Athletica are back in action this weekend after their bye week hoping to continue their winning streak after defeating the LA Sol.Athletica rolls into RFK Stadium to take on the Washington Freedom, carrying a three game winning streak, with all three wins coming on the road.
Both teams will be missing their top starters due to international duty and will have to dig deep into their squads to pick players.

The Freedom will be without Captain Abby Wambach, Cat Whitehill and Erin Mcleod.
Athletica will also be without their Captain Lori Chalupny, Hope Solo, Melissa Tancredi and Eniola Aluko.

The matchup Saturday is the final of the regular season between these two clubs. The first meeting on May 3 resulted in a 3-3 draw with Washington scoring two goals in the final ten minutes to earn the tie. The next encounter on June 20 was a 1-0 win for the Freedom as Rebecca Moros struck for an 83rd minute game winner.

Since then the clubs have been headed in different paths. Athletica are on a roll with a perfect 4-0-0 in their last four away games and they possess the league’s best road record with a mark of 5-2-1.
Meanwhile, Washington is winless in their last four and had lost three straight before managing a 4-4 draw on Wednesday night against Sky Blue FC. Washington’s last victory was their win at Saint Louis on June 20.

Washington will send out defender Becky Sauerbrunn on Saturday and goalkeeper Kati Jo Spisak. Both players grew up in suburban St. Louis and were standout club players. Sonia Bompastor will also start and Athletica Head coach Jorge Barcellos sees her as a threat.

“Bompastor is an underrated player in this league. She has a lot of potential and has not gotten all the credit she deserves,” says Barcellos. “She does get some attention and she does get noticed but this is one of the few players that can influence a game.”

With Hope Solo gone Jillian Loyden will make her second start of the year in goal for Saint Louis. In her lone previous game Loyden turned in a six save performance at Chicago on May 23 and earned her first professional WPS win and shutout. Loyden was named WPS Player of the Week for week 9 for her standout effort.

Washington needs a win to stay in touch with the four playoff slotted teams ahead of them.
Saint Louis sits in a good spot to make the playoffs as of now. Athletica have 23 points on the season, two ahead of Boston and four ahead of fourth place Sky Blue FC.

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NJ Sky Blue FC v Chicago Red Stars Sun July 19 4.30pm ET Live FSC, Webcast

Sky Blue FC will play its third match this week – and the second in a row at home – when it hosts the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday afternoon during Faith Day at Yurcak Field. Sky Blue FC hopes to maintain its success against the Red Stars taking a 2-0-1 record into the final meeting of the regular season between the two sides.

They will have to try and do this without their Captains Christie Rampone and Heather O'Reilly. Also missing will be Anita Asante, Karen Bardsley and Kelly Parker.

The Red Stars will be looking to get back to winning ways after their disappointing defeat in Boston after a run of good results. They too will be missing their top players. Captain Lindsey Tarpley, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe and Karen Carney all miss out this weekend.

Sky Blue FC (5-6-4, 19 pts.) heads into the match against Chicago holding the fourth and final playoff spot. The third-place Boston Breakers (6-6-3, 21 pts.) are two points ahead of Sky Blue FC and two points behind second-place Saint Louis Athletica (7-5-2, 23 pts.).

With their midweek loss to the Breakers, Chicago (4-7-5, 17 pts.) has dropped to sixth in the standings, two points shy of Sky Blue FC and the final playoff berth. The Red Stars are still five points clear of FC Gold Pride (3-8-3, 12 pts.). A win is vital for both teams with only a few games remaining.

For Sky Blue the loss of their players may be significant, none more so than in defence. The departure of Rampone means that both of Sky Blue FC’s starting central defenders will be unavailable for Sunday’s game. Asante being with England this weekend.With Asante missing against the Freedom on Wednesday night, Head Coach Kelly Lindsey was forced to make significant changes to her back four. The normally stingy Sky Blue FC defense allowed four goals in its least effective outing of the season.
Chicago still have Cristiane in their ranks and after her hat-trick heroics and then drawing a blank at Boston she will be jumping at the bit to be back in the scoring sheets this time around.

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FC Gold Pride v Boston Breakers Sun July 19 8pm ET

After a disappointing 3-1 loss last weekend in Chicago, FC Gold Pride (3-8-3) will look to put an end to their seven-game winless streak when they face the Boston Breakers at home this Sunday, July 19.

This will be the Pride's third and final match against Boston. FC Gold Pride earned one of their three wins with a 2-1 victory against Boston at home in the team's inaugural match on April 5. The Pride also tied the Breakers 1-1 while playing away in Cambridge, MA on June 17. A win this weekend will solidify the Pride's winning record over Boston this season.

With only six games remaining the Pride is currently seated at the bottom of the pack with 12 points on the season. Though the Pride is struggling for points, there is still a chance the team will find its way into the postseason. The Pride is only seven points out of fourth place.

Both the Pride and the Breakers will be missing key players this weekend, as the U.S. National Team will face the Canadian National Team on July 16 and July 22. The Pride will lose starters Captain Leslie Osborne, Rachel Buehler, and Nicole Barnhart to the U.S. National Team and Christine Sinclair to the Canadian National Team.

Defenders Carrie Dew and Kristin Graczyk return to the field this weekend ready for competition. After getting a cleat in the face during the first half of last Sunday's game against the Red Stars, Graczyk was pulled from the match unable to return. Dew missed last weekend's game to nurse a minor knee injury and ensure a successful recovery. The Pride will look to Dew and Graczyk's solid defensive play to help unify the back line against the Breakers. Coach Albertin Montoyo is looking for a player to take leadership in the offensive end. Tiffany Milbrett and Eriko Arkawa who has been relatively quiet need to step up. Will Tiffany Weimer play?

Boston will be missing the most players this weekend due to international duty. Kelly Smith and Alex Scott are away with England. Candace Chapman joins her Canadian national buddies and Heather Mitts, Angela Hucles, Amy LePeilbet and Amy Rodriguez are with the US Womens national squad. All 7 are starters for the Breakers. Head Coach Tony DiCicco looks to Kristine Lilly and Christine Latham to provide the spark for him.

NJ Sky BlueFC V Washington Freedom Highlights

NJ SKY BLUE 4 - 4 WASHINGTON FREEDOM

In an evenly-played match with end-to-end action, Sky Blue FC and Washington Freedom traded goals back-to-back in the early minutes of each half to keep the fans on the edge of their seats. Both Natasha Kai and Kacey White finished with two goals each for Sky Blue FC while Lisa De Vanna connected twice for the Freedom to go along with single scores by Cat Whitehill and Sonia Bompastor.

The action started quickly as the Freedom connected just 3:41 into the match. Alli Krieger carried the ball up the right side before crossing into the middle for Bompastor, who flicked a header inside the far post for the 1-0 lead. Just 1:14 later, Sky Blue FC tied the game at 1-1 when Heather O’Reilly sent a cross in from the left side and a wide open Kai easily touched the ball in from five yards out.

The teams traded chances again midway through the opening half with Rebecca Moros sending in a cross that deflected off the crossbar in the 21st minute. Less than two minutes later, Keeley Dowling struck a shot from distance that eluded Freedom keeper Erin McLeod but bounded off the left post.

Sky Blue FC struck for its second goal in the 27th minute following a scramble in the box after a corner kick. Dowling sent the ball toward the goal and White finished in acrobatic fashion, lifting her leg high to flick the ball into the upper left corner with the outside of her foot.

The Freedom had two chances before halftime as Abby Wambach’s shot from an angle gave Sky Blue FC keeper Jenni Branam a bit of trouble in the 39th minute and then Whitehill blasted a freekick right at Branam in stoppage time.

The second half started off with a bang as White scored an accidental goal just 27 seconds in. The Sky Blue FC forward’s cross from the left side went over the head of McLeod and deflected off the inside of the far, right post into the goal.

Just 58 seconds later, the Freedom responded to cut the lead to 3-2 on a goal by De Vanna. Bompastor crossed the ball in from the left and the Australian striker buried a header from five yards out.

Washington kept up the pressure and three minutes later, Wambach banged a first-time shot from eight yards out off the right post. In the 54th minute, the Freedom tied the match when Wambach chipped forward to De Vanna, who beat the offside trap and carried into the box before cutting past Branam and rolling a shot into the open goal.

Branam kept the score tied with two strong saves. In the 68th minute, the Sky Blue FC keeper dove to stop Bompastor, who attempted to sneak a free kick in at the near post from an angle. In the 76th minute, Branam made a diving stop off a header from Wambach.

Sky Blue FC seemed to have come up with the game-winner when Rosana fed Kai into the box for the first-time finish past a charging McLeod, but in a game as wild as this one that wasn’t the case. Two minutes into stoppage time, the ball took a surprising deflection off a Sky Blue FC player toward the goal and Branam did well to touch the ball off the crossbar to keep it out. However, Whitehill flew in to bury the rebound to tie the score at 4-4.

Washington could have or maybe should have had a penalty to win in the last 20 secs as Wambach was bundled over inside the box. Ref ignored the strong protests by the Freedom players and the bench.

Sky Blue was without their English star Anita Asante who was on international duty in England.

Sky Blue FC returns to action on Sunday when it hosts Faith Day at Yurcak Field. Kickoff is set at 4:30 p.m. as Sky Blue FC seeks to stake its claim for a playoff spot with a match against the Chicago Red Stars.

The Freedom now return how to host the second-place Saint Louis Athletica on Saturday, July 18 at 5pm ET/2pm PT (Comcast Sports Net Mid-Atlantic, KPLR in St. Louis and webcast at saintlouisathletica.com).

SKY BLUE FC COACH KELLY LINDSEY

On the past three games

I think they are doing really well right now and they are peaking at the right time and really starting to gel and come together so I think the next 2 or 3 weeks will be exciting for them to pull it together going into the playoffs and see if we can earn a spot.

On Kacey White and Natasha Kai’s performance

I think they are finally getting on the same page and connecting with each other by obviously scoring some goals today, which is great for them and good for their confidence. Overall I’m really proud of the way they are working together.

WASHINGTON FREEDOM COACH JIM GABARRA

On his team’s performance

It was great that they came back and continued to play for the full 90 minutes. The first half there was way too much standing around and reacting which put us in the hole we probably shouldn’t have been in. We went up by a goal and all the things we were doing we just stopped doing. You can’t do that against any team in this league.

Lineups:

Sky Blue FC – Jenni Branam; Julianne Sitch (Jen Buczkowski 58’), Keeley Dowling [Capt], Christie Rampone [Capt], Meghan Schnur; Heather O’Reilly [Capt], Yael Averbuch, Rosana, Collette McCallum, Natasha Kai (Kerri Hanks 87’), Kacey White (Kelly Parker 58’).

Washington Freedom – Erin McLeod; Sarah Senty (Alex Singer 46’), Becky Saurbrunn, Cat Whitehill, Ali Krieger; Sonia Bompastor, Homare Sawa, Lori Lindsey, Rebecca Moros (Allie Long 79’); Abby Wambach [Capt], Lisa De Vanna (Jill Gilbeau 86’).