CHICAGO RED STARS 0 - 2 BOSTON BREAKERS

The Chicago Red Stars were goalless once again as they were defeated by the Boston Breakers 2 - 0 at home Sunday afternoon at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill.

Amy Rodriguez came good at last, netted her first WPS goal and captain Kristine Lilly converted a late penalty kick.
The Breakers didn’t have many chances in the match but the visitors made the most of them, starting when Kristine Lilly sent a long pass to teammate Amy Rodriguez inside the box in the 22nd minute. Splitting two Chicago defenders, Rodriguez beat Caroline Jönsson for her first goal of the season.
Apart from that play the Breakers passing game was gone to shot. They had no creativity in the middle of the field and they squandered possession time and time again.

Chicago did not take the numerous amount of chances that came their way. One coming straight after Boston's goal.Lindsay Tarpley put a shot off the crossbar – but the ricochet eluded a wide-open Megan Rapinoe and was cleared by the Breakers defense.Rapinoe on as a sub for the injured Marian Dalmy.

The Red Stars had more chances for an equalizer in the second half, twice beating Boston goalkeeper Allison Lipsher only to have the shot cleared off the goal line by a defender.

In the 68th minute Tarpley fired a rocket from the top of the box that hit off the arm of Breakers defender Alex Scott.(Just FYI Scott started the match as a right midfielder.Nancy Augustyniak-Goffi started at right-back). Ref missed it but i don't know how. It was blatent.

Boston added a second-half stoppage time goal when Lilly scored on a penalty kick. Red Stars defender Nikki Krzysik earned a yellow card for a foul against Jennifer Nobis in the box, and referee Dallas Malhiwsky awarded the Breakers a penalty shot, which Lilly easily buried for her third goal of the year.

The loss is the third consecutive shutout for Chicago, which has now played 313 minutes without scoring, dating back to a second-half goal at FC Gold Pride on June 7. They now haven't won in 8 games.They now travel to LA to take on the Sol this Saturday.

Boston move up to 3rd place in the standings behind 2nd place Washington Freedom with a much needed win to boost confidence. They play each other in 2nd v 3rd place on Wednesday night.

Red Stars Coach Emma Hayes:“We sent the team out today to show that they can perform as a team and I’m very proud of my players today. I think the better team lost the game and I think if we could extend the goal width in either direction then we wouldn’t be talking about a clean sheet.”

“This is the first time since I’ve been the coach here that I have a real hurt dressing room. They are hurt because they know that they put everything into the game and they performed to the best of their ability. The ball didn’t go in the back of the net, but you know there have been a lot of good performances.”

“For us, we executed our game plan and we’re going to take the momentum and energy from the team today into LA. If you want to write this team off it’s at your peril because we have very hungry players right now.”

Red Stars Forward Lindsay Tarpley:
“I think that I had some chances tonight and I wish I could have finished them. I’ll be working on that.”“From the people on the field to the people on the bench, we were a tight union. I think it hurts more today because we felt so unified. I think we’re going to build from this. I have no doubt what our potential is for our team. I know we’re going to step up individually and collectively and find a way to continue to represent this club in a great way.”

Boston Coach Tony DiCicco:

“I think it was a gutty performance. It was difficult to play in this weather and I thought it was really important to score first because chasing the game in this weather is not easy.”

“This league has a lot left. Every team is so competitive. Every team can beat every other team. It’s fun, except for the coaches.”

“Chicago probably deserved more, but we’ve been on that side of the games as well. So we’re delighted with the win and we went out with the right mentality.”

Lineups:

Chicago Red Stars – Jönsson; Dieke (Cristiane, 46), Oakes (Lloyd, 71), Krzysik, Spilger; Dalmy (Rapinoe, 18), Igwe, Östberg, Klein, Carney; Tarpley.

Boston Breakers – Lipsher; Goffi (Schmedes, 55), Chapman, LePeilbet, Mitts; Moore (Latham, 67), Scott, Hucles, Lilly; Rodriguez (Nobis, 60), Smith.

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

preview by womensprosoccer.com

WPS PREVIEW WEEK 4

First up .....WASHINGTON FREEDOM v. BOSTON BREAKERS - Sat 18th April 7pm ET game on Matchtracker on WPS site.

2nd home match for the Freedom at the Maryland Soccerplex and they are looking for Abby Wambach to get her first goal of the season. Wambach had many chances last week but was disappointed in herself that she did not take those chances. Canadian international keeper Erin McLeod has officially signed for the club today. I believe she is still awaiting visa clearance. Can't come soon enough for some Freedom fans as Briana Scurrey's performances have been mixed. Apart from the GK situation look for an unchanged team from Washington.
The Boston Breakers are high on confidence after a thrilling 2-0 win at Harvard stadium against St Louis Athletica last week.Look for current WPS player of the week Kelly Smith to continue her great form and goal scoring streak. The Breakers are coming together and Amy Rodriguez should get in on the action of goals as well as Kristine Lilly. Straight after the match Smith and Alex Scott will make their way to England for an International friendly against Norway next Thursday. They are expected to be back in time to face Chicago Red Stars at Toyota Park.
My Prediction 3-1 away win for Boston.(Wambach to get her goal ; Smith to get 2 & ARod to open her account haha)

BOSTON BREAKERS V'S CHICAGO RED STARS

Pictures to follow.

Match update Boston Breakers v Chicago Red Stars. Result - Draw 1-1. Scorers Carney 17 mins; Kristin Lilly 35 mins.

Both Alex Scott (Breakers ) & Karen Carney (Red Stars) started the match.
Boston playing a 4-3-3 formation with Scott playing at left-back. Heather Mitts was right-back.Kristin Lilly & Amy Rodriguez also started.

Chicago 4-2-2 formation. In starting line-up Carli Lloyd, Lyndsey Tarpley and Frida Ostberg
Carney was diployed Left midfield at start.

The encounter between these two rivals was played as a scrimmage. 3 45 mins games with both teams making regular substitutions.

Boston take on University of Florida on saturday & Chicago will next face Notre Dame University.