Chicago Red Stars v Los Angeles Sol Highlights

3-1

CHICAGO RED STARS 3 - 1 LOS ANGELES SOL

The Los Angeles Sol were outplayed and out scored by the Chicago Red Stars 3-1 on Sunday afternoon at Toyota Park.

In an entertaining match infront of a record high 7959 crowd, Los Angeles Sol started of the brightest.With Brittany Bock leaving her defensive duties and partnering Marta in attack, Marta had several breakaway chances to score but she could not make her shots tell.The Sol pressured the Red Stars defence earning a succession of corners. The Red Stars defended well.

Chicago opened the scoring against the run of play in the 24th minute when a Sol defender gave the ball away to Carli Lloyd in the middle of the field. Lloyd played a pass to Chicago captain Lindsey Tarpley, ran into space into the box and collected the ball back from Tarpley. Lloyd put her shot past Sol goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc for her second goal of the season.

Los Angeles tried to get back into the game but their passing and movement of the ball was sloppy. French international Camille Abily was on the bench but Head coach Abner Rogers opted to play without her as she will not be there for the championship game.

Into the second half The Red Stars scored again quickly. In the 47th minute, Megan Rapinoe played a long cross into the box where Brittany Klein headed it to Tarpley, who floated a header over the outstretched arms of LeBlanc. The goal was the fourth of the season for the Red Stars’ captain.

The Red Stars played on the counter-attack for the rest of the second half.

Los Angeles made several offensive substitutes to get on the scoring sheet. They went to a 3-4-3 formation.

Marta out paced Frida Ostberg with a long run on the right to shoot and narrowly missed the far post on 67 minutes.

Substitute Han Duan got a goal in the 90th minute when Marta sent a ball from the right into the box. LA captain Shannon Boxx was there at the far post to head the ball back across the goal where Duan bundled the ball over by her chest.

Were Chicago about to collapse? No ... they immediately when back up the field to clinch the game when Cristiane collected a ball just inside the Sol's half and took a long run down the left side of the field and into the box. When LeBlanc stepped out to challenge, the Brazilian striker fired a shot into the right side of the net for her 7th goal of the season.

Chicago were boosted by the win and gave a winning end for their fans for the last game of the season at Toyota Park. Their final game is on Wednesday night at Saint Louis Athletica.

Even though Los Angeles had already clinched 1st place in the WPS standings they have now gone winless in their last 3 games. Their last game is against the Boston Breakers on Sunday at Harvard Stadium.


“Marta was very threatening and dangerous, but that’s Marta for you.” Said Chicago Red Stars Head coach Emma Hayes
“We showed this time when we got a goal against us that we had enough character to go straight down the other end and get the winner. I think there’s credit to the team to show their character in a game on some levels in meaningless to us at least because we’re out of the playoffs. For me, that will be the benchmark moving forward. This is a building platform for next year so I am happy with the result. ”

“Playing with the best players in the world has been a great experience. We couldn’t take this game, but you know we move on and go to Boston and do our stuff there.” Said Los Angeles forward Brittany Bock


“To me we needed to score some goals, unfortunately today we couldn’t put the ball in the net.” Said Brazilian Marta


Lineups:

Chicago Red Stars: Caroline Jonsson; Marian Dalmy (61: Nikki Krzysik), Natalie Spilger, Jill Oakes, Frida Ostberg; Carli Lloyd, Brittany Klein, Lindsay Tarpley (C), (64: Heather Garriock), Karen Carney; Cristiane, Megan Rapinoe (68: Ella Masar)

Los Angeles Sol: Karina LeBlanc; Sharlota Nonen (71: Han Duan), Stephanie Cox, Brittany Bock, Allison Falk; Shannon Boxx (C) ; Manya Makoski; Aya Miyama; Aly Wagner (75: Katie Larkin); McCall Zerboni (71: Liz Bogus); Marta.

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

CHICAGO RED STARS 0 - 0 SKY BLUE FC

Chicago in the sky blue shirts,Sky Blue in orange!!



On a rain soaked night at Toyota Park in front of over 5,800 enthusiastic fans despite the weather, both teams battled to a nil draw.Lindsey Tarpley had a strong chance for her third goal in as many games in stoppage time following the second half. Karen Carney played a shot from the right side of the box to Tarpley, who made a strong chance but put it right at Sky Blue FC goalkeeper Jenni Branam.
The shot was one of 18 Chicago recorded, but the Red Stars only put four on goal. One came on a spectacular bicycle kick attempt from midfielder Megan Rapinoe in the 38^th minute. After Sky Blue FC starting goalkeeper Karen Bardsley made an initial stop on a shot by midfielder Carli Lloyd, the ball ricocheted to Rapinoe at the top of the box. She played it beautifully on the bicycle attempt but Bardsley was able to recover in time to parry it over the net.
Sky Blue FC had one of the game’s best scoring chances early on. Midfielder Collette McCallum made a run up the right side, crossing to Sarah Walsh on the left edge of the box. As Red Stars keeper Caroline Jönsson came out to challenge the play, Walsh got a shot off that hit just off the cross bar and out of play.Jönsson put forth another solid effort in net, stopping all three of Sky Blue FC’s shots on goal to record her second clean sheet of the season. Bardsley and Branam combined for six saves for the visitors, who were outshot 18-7 in the contest. Ifeoma Dieke again was composed and a rock in the Chicago defence without Captain Frida Ostberg. Dieke earned rave reviews from the FSC commentators.

SKY BLUE FC COACH IAN SAWYERS

“The game was a pretty exciting for a 0-0 tie, at least from our perspective, with some end to end opportunities. Obviously we felt like we could have put a few away and I’m sure they feel the same way. Coming away with an away point is ok, we haven’t quite got there yet. We’re moderately happy but still proud to be part of a great day here in Chicago.”

RED STARS COACH EMMA HAYES“Our game plan was to use as much width as we can. We’ve been struggling of late to create opportunities out wide. I thought we did a great job of that. The girls executed the game plan and the performance was considerably better than the last two games.”




LINEUPS:

CHI: Jönsson, Dalmy, Dieke, Igwe, Krzysik, Klein (Oakes, 76), Rapinoe, Lloyd, Carney, Cristiane (Masar, 63’), Tarpley

SKY BLUE FC: Bardsley (Branam, 46), Asante, Schnur, Dowling, Sitch, Buczkowski, Parker (Kai, 62), McCallum (Averbuch, 83), White, Walsh, O’Reilly

WASHINGTON FREEDOM 1 - 1 CHICAGO RED STARS

In front of over 5,000 fans at the Maryland Soccerplex the Washington Freedom scored their first goal of the WPS. It could have and should have been more though if it wasn't for the heroics of the Chicago Red Stars defence.Lindsey Tarpley(pictured top) opened the scoring for the visitors in the 29th minute as she raced on to a through ball by Marian Dalmy and shot a looping shot to the far post beating Briana Scurry. It was a well taken goal by Tarpley her 2nd in the league but you have to wonder the positioning of Scurry.
Despite the rain the crowd was enthusiastic and roared on the Freedom get a goal. They played much better than their first game against LA Sol but much of their good play came from French star Sonia Bompastor who struck ball after ball into the middle from both sides of the pitch looking for the forwards to get on to. Abby Wambach again missing some good openings. Chicago starting without Cristiane struggled to get going in midfield. The combination of Carli Lloyd, Tarpley and Brittany Klein in midfield didn't work. All offensive players there was no one that could get the ball and settle down the midfield. All to often passes went astray. Lloyd particularly finding it difficult operating as a defensive midfielder.
In the 2nd half Washington started brightly. Japan's Homare Sawa started seeing more of the ball and putting the Red Stars defence under pressure.
It was in the 54th minute when a freekick on Chicago's left just outside the box was swung in left footed by Bompastor and met by centre-back Becky Sauerbrunn (pictured,left). It seemed like everyone was paying attention to Wambach but nobody ran with Sauerbrunn as she met the ball.
Red Stars Captain Frida Ostberg was sent off for a 2nd bookable offence for bringing down striker Lisa DeVanna in the 63rd minute. From then on it was all out attack for the Freedom. Chicago's backline of GK Caroline Jonsson, Scottish international Ifeoma Dieke, Nikki Kryzsik and Marian Dalmy were brilliant. The outstanding Jonsson getting man of the match with several vital saves from Wambach and DeVanna. Dieke was a rock i was impressed. Cristiane mad an appearance in the 2nd half and did well in the circumstances. Even though Chicago were down to 10 she still caused the defence problems and kept them occupied.
Washington although played better should feel disappointed they didn't capitalise more on the situation. Still looking for more from Sawa. Scurry needs to be more confident.
Chicago should be pleased to escape with a point but Emma Hayes needs to look at the midfield. 2 games down now and still there are question marks on that area.

LINEUPS:

WASH: Scurry, Singer, Whitehill, Sauerbrunn, Long, Janss (Gilbeau, 58), Sawa, Lindsey (Moros, 68), Bonpastor, Wambach, De Vanna (Zimmeck, 84)

CHI: Jonsson, Dalmy, Krzysik, Dieke, Ostberg (Ejected 63), Klein, Lloyd, Tarpley (Spilger, 82), Carney, Rapinoe (Cristiane, 58), Masar (Igwe, 65)

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.