Boston Breakers v Los Angeles Sol Highlights

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BOSTON BREAKERS 1 - 2 LOS ANGELES SOL

The Boston Breakers’ hopes of making the playoffs ended in a 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Sol on Sunday night at Harvard Stadium in Cambridge, Mass.

Needing a win to advance to the playoffs the loss ends Boston’s season, as they finish in fifth place, one point behind Sky Blue FC who earns the fourth and final playoff spot. The Sol (12-3-5, 41 points), the number one seed in the playoffs, will await to host the 2009 WPS Championship on August 22.

Los Angeles started off the stronger. In the 3rd minute Chinese international Han Duan took the ball down the right side, and cut around defender Alex Scott, goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill came out to grab the ball before she could get her shot off. Aya Miyama had an opportunity when Aly Wagner bent a ball right in front of the net for her to connect on, but she hit it wide.

The Breakers opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Kristine Lilly send a long ball from the left side ahead of Kelly Smith, who ran past defenders and hit a low shot past Sol goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc into the left corner. Smith ends her season as the Breakers leading scorer with six goals.

Boston continued to be on the offensive after its goal, and had chances to add to its lead towards the end of the half. In the 31st minute, Smith, this time sent a ball to Lilly, but LeBlanc picked it up before she was able to catch it. In the 34th minute, Heather Mitts intercepted a ball, changing the direction of play and sending a cross into the box, but nobody was able to connect on it for a shot.

Into the 2nd half and Los Angeles started to connect with their passes and put some pressure on the Breakers who were finding it difficult to create the same chances like they did in the 1st half.French Midfielder Camille Abilly came on and made an immediate impact. This was to be her last game as she returns to France for Euro 2009 preparations.

It paid off as the tying goal was scored in the 59th minute, when Marta received a long ball over the Breakers defense from Wagner, and lifted it over goalkeeper Luckenbill who had hesitated in coming out, into the bottom left corner of the net. It was Marta’s league-leading 10th goal of the year.

After Marta’s equalizer, the Breakers pressed to get the lead back. Scott sent the ball through to Lilly in the 56th minute toward the left side of goal, but her shot went right into LeBlanc’s gloves.Smith and second-half substitute Amy Rodriguez had the best chances to regain the lead. Smith shot a free kick in the 70th minute that just grazed the crossbar. Rodriguez’ fellow second-half sub Christine Latham fought for the ball on the end line and slide tackled the ball for Rodriguez at the top of the area, but the forward’s shot went high in the 78th minute.

In stoppage time, Marta drew a foul in the penalty area, and Shannon Boxx sealed Boston’s fate with a penalty kick goal to the upper right corner of the net.

Boston Breakers Head Coach TonY DiCicco

“I’m very proud of our team, but we just came short,It was a very frustrating season. During the last home game we dominated Sky Blue FC, who’s in the playoffs ahead of us. This game here I thought that we had some pretty good looks to get the second goal, but we didn’t connect. When you keep a team like L.A. in the game, they did what they needed to do in the second half.”


Lineups
BOSTON: Kristin Luckenbill; Alex Scott, Amy LePeilbet, Candace Chapman (Amy Rodriguez, 74th minute), Heather Mitts; Maggie Tomecka, Kristine Lilly, Angela Hucles, Mary-Frances Monroe (Kelly Schmedes, 64th minute), Fabiana (Christine Latham, 68th minute); Kelly Smith.


LOS ANGELES: Karina LeBlanc; Keri Sanchez (Camille Abily, 46th minute), Allison Falk, Brittany Bock, Stephanie Cox; Shannon Boxx, Aya Miyama, Manya Makoski, Aly Wagner; Han Duan (McCall Zerboni, 87th minute), Marta.

Washington Freedom v LA Sol Highlights

WASHINGTON FREEDOM 0 - 1 LOS ANGELES SOL

The Los Angeles Sol rallied in the closing moments to break a scoreless tie and defeat the Washington Freedom, 1-0, at the Maryland SoccerPlex in front of 5,143 fans on Sunday night.

The Sol, who became the first team in WPS to clinch a playoff berth last week, traded scoring opportunities with the Freedom for the first 90 minutes of the match before three-time FIFA World Player of the Year Marta found the back of the net in stoppage time.

In the 91st minute, Marta collected a pass left of the area from Japanese international Aya Miyama, touched it and immediately drilled a shot towards the far post to give the Sol its fourth consecutive victory and extend its unbeaten streak to eleven games.

Washington’s best chance came early, when Abby Wambach drilled a left-footed shot from the top of the box, saved only by a spectacular dive by LA’s keeper, Karina LeBlanc. Later on, in the 25th minute, Freedom defender Cat Whitehill took a beautiful free kick from nearly 35 yards out, but it hit the right goal post.

The rest of the half was slightly more stagnant than the first half, punctuated by the occasional hustle play by Washington’s Lisa De Vanna or fancy footwork by Marta.

The 2nd half started with a collision. Sol defender Christie Shaner a trade from Sky Blue FC making her 1st start with LA went in to challenge for the ball with Wambach in the penalty box. Shaner came out the worst with a nasty injury which looks like it could be a broken leg. Play was held up for 10 minutes while Shaner was being attended to. She was taken of the field on a stretcher right into an ambulance.

Play continued in the 2nd half and LA created a lot of chances as Washington got frustrated. In the 2nd half, LA had seven shots on goal in comparison to the Freedom’s one. The one that counted was Marta's.

Though it took her 46 minutes to score once the second half began, Marta put on a speed and footwork clinic for the 5,143 fans in attendance. Freedom defender Alex Singer, tasked with the job of defending the seemingly unstoppable Marta, explained her defensive strategy: “I just do anything I can to make sure she [Marta] doesn’t get past me with the ball. She can get past me, or the ball can go by me, but never together.”

The Sol will play its next game in just three days against St. Louis, as the Freedom get 10 days to rest before traveling to New Jersey on July 15 to play Sky Blue FC.


Lineups:

Washington Freedom: Erin McLeod; Becky Sauerbrunn, Cat Whitehill, Alex Singer, Sarah Senty, Homare Sawa, Sonia Bompastor, Ali Krieger (Rebecca Moros, 72'), Lori Lindsey, Abby Wambach (C), Lisa De Vanna (Allie Long, 82')

Los Angeles Sol: Karina LeBlanc; Stephanie Cox, Brittany Bock, Christie Shaner (Manya Makoski, 52'), Shannon Boxx (C), Camille Abily, Aya Miyama, Katie Larkin, McCall Zerboni, Han Duan, Marta

LA Sol v Chicago Red Stars Highlights

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LOS ANGELES SOL 4 - 0 CHICAGO RED STARS

Marta scored 2 goals to take her total for the season to a league joint leading 8 against the hapless Chicago Red Stars in a 4- nil win at the Home Depot Center early Saturday morning.

The Los Angeles Sol who looked fresh despite playing their 3rd game in 7 days opened the scoring on 15 minutes when Captain Shannon Boxx received a through ball from winger McCall Zerboni making her 1st start in place of Aly Wagner, at the top of the penalty box. Beating the offside trap Boxx shot the ball to the farside to the right of GK Caroline Jonsson. In off the post. This sparked a Michael Jackson celebration dance in the centre-circle by the whole team. Chicago in shock. It got worse. Japanese international Aya Miyama found an inform Camille Abily with a pass at the top of the box, with composure she shot past Jonsson 2 - nil and Abily's 8th goal of the season.

The Red Stars reeling tried to get into the game. Coach Emma Hayes brung on substitute Cristiane on 31mins to replace defender Nikki Krizysik. The Red Stars switched to a 3-4-3 formation. It looked like it paid off when Lindsey Tarpley slamed the ball into the back of the net from a great pass by Cristiane in the 33rd minute. However the goal was ruled out for a close offside.

The Sol closed out the 1st half on a high as they had numerous chances to extend their league.

Into the 2nd half and Chicago started brightly but again on the 47th minute a Tarpley goal was ruled offside. This time it was a more clear offside. The Red Stars were trying to make a game of it by attacking but everytime they tried to get momentum the Sol midfield and defence would not let them get into any sort of rythem.

The game was over when Marta received a through ball by Miyama , past the defence and a deft shot by Marta past Jonsson on inthe 62nd minute to make it 3-nil. Chicago were out. Marta then scored her 2nd in stoppage time 90th minute to make it 4-o after a ball into the box by substitute Aly Wagner from the right.

Chicago players looked stunned. In all honesty it could have been 5 or 6 if not for a couple of good saves by Jonsson. Back to the drawing board.

Los Angeles took another step to qualifying for the playoffs and took their unbeaten run to 10 games. Chicago with the loss remains last in the WPS standings with the next game against Washington Freedom on Wednesday night vital.

Abner Rogers
"It was a big challenge today as it was our third game in seven days, but I thought we played very well. Obviously, the result speaks for itself. The number of opportunities that we created was very satisfying."

McCall Zerboni
"The team was very supportive of me starting today. The team has really good chemistry and they make it very easy for me to contribute on the field. I wouldn't be doing what I am without them."

"[The offsides] always hurt you," Red Stars team captain Lindsay Tarpley said. "But, you know, hopefully it's a matter of time -- just keep plugging away and keep our heads up. And hopefully we'll finish one next time and it'll count."

Lineups
Los Angeles Sol: Karina LeBlanc; Stephanie Cox, Allison Falk(57: Brittany Bock), Marina Franko, Katie Larkin, McCall Zerboni (72: Aly Wagner), Shannon Boxx (C), Camille Abily (80: Maya Makoski), Aya Miyama, Han Duan, Marta

Chicago Red Stars: Caroline Jonsson; Natalie Spilger, Frida Ostberg, Nikki Krzysik (31: Cristiane Silva), Jill Oakes, Brittany Klein (58: Vandenbugh), Megan Rapinoe, Chioma Igwe (77: Danesha Adams), Karen Carney, Lindsay Tarpley (C), Carli Lloyd

Saint Louis Athletica v Los Angeles Sol Highlights

WPS PREVIEW WEEK 14

Los Angeles Sol v Chicago Red Stars Sat June 27 1pm ET Live on webcam


The Chicago Red Stars will try to break an eight-match winless streak Saturday when they face WPS leader the Los Angeles Sol at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Saturday marks the second meeting of the season between Chicago (2-5-5, 11 pts) and the Sol (9-1-4, 31 pts). The Red Stars nearly won at Los Angeles earlier this month when Cristiane scored her first goal of the season in the 88th minute to give Chicago a 1-0 lead. But WPS goals leader Camille Abily recorded the equalizer seconds before the final whistle to force a 1-1 draw.

Los Angeles brings a nine-match unbeaten streak into Saturday’s game. The Sol are 13 points ahead of second-place Boston in the WPS standings.Marta is on form having scored in th last 2 matches.

Red Stars defender Marian Dalmy will miss the match after suffering an ankle sprain Sunday in Chicago’s loss to Boston. Heather Garriock and Ella Masar are also out with injury for Chicago.

The Sol may well still be without defender Martina Franko who missed the trip to Saint Louis. Brittany Bock may start in defence again.






NJ Sky Blue FC v Saint Louis Athletica Sun 28 June 6pm ET Live FSC, Webcam

After an 11-day mid-season break, Sky Blue FC is recharged and ready to take aim on a spot in the playoffs as the team heads into the second half of the season. Sky Blue FC first sets it sights on Saint Louis Athletica, which makes its only visit to New Jersey this season.

Sky Blue FC meets Saint Louis on Sunday in a 6 p.m. clash at Yurcak Field on the campus of Rutgers University in Piscataway, N.J.

Heading into the match, Sky Blue FC (3-5-3, 12 pts.) holds down fifth place in the standings, edging out sixth-place FC Gold Pride (3-6-3, 12 pts.) on goal differential. The New Jersey/New York team has a game in hand over both FC Gold Pride and the cellar-dwelling Chicago Red Stars (2-5-5, 11 pts.), who Sky Blue FC defeated 1-0 in their most recent game on June 17.

Athletica (4-5-2, 14 pts.) comes into the match in sole possession of fourth place and the final playoff position. After the results of this week’s midweek matches, Saint Louis sits two points behind the third-place Washington Freedom (4-4-4, 16 pts.). The Los Angeles Sol (9-1-4, 31 pts.) remains alone atop the table, 13 points clear of the Boston Breakers (5-4-3, 18 pts.).

In the only prior meeting between Sky Blue FC and Athletica, Saint Louis came away the victors 1-0 in a closely-fought battle at Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park in Fenton, Mo. Amanda Cinalli’s goal in the 15th minute proved to be the difference in a game where Sky Blue FC outshot the home team and controlled play for long stretches of time.

WPS Half-Term report - LOS ANGELES SOL

Who? What left is there to say about the Sol that has not been said or read already.

In this 1st half of the Inaugural season of the WPS, THE Los Angeles Sol so far have been the dominant, most consistent and yes… the best team in the league.

The league table doesn’t lie.And neither do the stats.The Sol sit at the top as of June 25th with 31 pts - Played 14 , Won 9, Lost 1, Draws 4. They have played two games more than the 2nd placed Boston Breakers but they are still comfortably in front.
They are currently on a 9 games unbeaten run - 6 of those are wins.
How? The team are playing well together. They play possession soccer. The midfield four have specific jobs and they are executing the jobs well and the defence are defending intelligently and as a unit.
The Sol are difficult to score against and ultimately to beat. Teams have tried and come close and even some have deserved to score and a win but they have come up short and not taken their chances.
The Sol offence when given a chance will most likely take that chance…thank you very much.

They lead the league in most goals scored 19 ; least goals conceded 5 ; most shutouts 10 and Top goal scorer , Camille Abily 7.

Players - Offence:
Marta is the star player. The Brazilian Attracts the attention of the opposition defenders, sometimes all of them at the same time, that just leaves space for the other Sol players to exploit. Which they have taken.
When Marta is not scoring she is setting up her teamates. She is 2nd in the goal scoring charts with 6 goals and 2nd in assists with 3.



Midfield:
Camille Abily is one player who has benefited from the attention on Marta. She has snuck in there almost unnoticed to score a league leading 7 goals. All from midfield. The French international brings a calm, technical game to the Sol midfield. An intelligent player who always makes herself available in midfield to receive the ball, hold the ball and pass it off to an open player without fuss. Abily is a fan favourite and although unknown at the beginning of the season to the American public she is now becoming a star there too as she was in her native France. No wonder Olympic Lyon were having a cardiac arrest when she moved to WPS. Now we know why.
Defence:
Alison Falk never gets mentioned too much by reporters or blogs. But here at womans soccer insider we believe she is vital to the Sol.The rookie…yes she is a rookie..from Stanford University has been the rock at the back. Started 13 games out of 14 and played 90 minutes in all ,Falk is tall, good in the air, deceptively strong and quick. Falk hasn’t put a foot wrong as she has gone up against strong, experienced and international players like Abby Wambach and Christine Sinclair and quick players like Lisa DeVanna and Eniola Aluko and been a match for all of them.

Mentions to - Brittany Bock - defender, midfielder, forward ? She’s been everywhere but in goal. Bock is a competitive player that gives 110% no matter where she is playing. Almost combative by nature she played the first 5 games as a centre-back having never played there before. Impressing the Sol coaches in training with her desire to compete for challenges. She was a midfielder/forward in college. She then spent the next few in midfield man marked Boston’s Kelly Smith out of the game in that position in the 0-0 tie at the Home Depot Center.
Moved to centre forward to give some assist to Marta and scored her 2nd goal of the season. Yes we had to mention Brittany Bock.

Karina Leblanc - KK to her friends - we will look at her closely further in the blog but the stats say it all.
13 games , 51 saves , goals against 5 , Goals against avg 0.38 , Saved a PK , 9 Shutouts. No1.

All those players have stood out to us but LA really have played as a team and we would be here all day and night if we had to mention all the players.

A- Excellent. Still room for improvement.(harsh,i know) Top of the class for now.

SAINT LOUIS ATHLETICA 1 - 2 LOS ANGELES SOL

Saint Louis Athletica had their chances, plenty of them, but could not get the result they might have deserved and dropped a 2-1 decision to the Los Angeles Sol in front of 3,014 at The Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park on Wednesday night.

Han Duan got the first goal of the game for Los Angeles in the 50th minute. Duan’s effort was singularly impressive as she had a ball played into her at the edge of the penalty area. Duan used her first touch to flick the ball over and around Tina Ellertson, Duan picked up the ball as she moved past Ellertson and then beat Hope Solo with a clean shot to the far post.

Marta would provide that second goal in the 73rd minute as an Aly Wagner ball found her in the area. Marta’s quick shot was able to beat Solo and Los Angeles looked comfortable with a 2-0 lead.

Kerri Hanks, subbed in the 77th minute, notched her first goal of the season in the 81st minute to draw one back and breathe some late life into the game. Eniola Aluko provided the set up and Hanks became the first Athletica player to get a ball past LA’s Karina LeBlanc this season.

The game was likely decided in the first half as it was Saint Louis that applied the pressure and outshot the Sol nine to six, put four chances on goal to LA’s three, and took six corners to Los Angeles’ one, yet nothing would go in. First half chances by Lori Chalupny, Christie Welsh, and Ellertson all were handled by LeBlanc or finished high and wide.

The second half would see more of the same from Saint Louis as Athletica pushed forward and tried to overcome one and two goal deficits. Athletica earned another six corners, took a staggering 16 shots, and placed six shots on goal for the half.

LeBlanc again proved to be the story. Chalupny’s 63rd minute bid to tie the match drew a fantastic save from LeBlanc. LeBlanc then saved Melissa Tancredi’s header two minutes later. Those two saves represented Athletica’s best chances until Hanks converted later.

Athletica remain in fourth place for the moment due to all the teams behind them in the standings being off on Wednesday night. Sunday night they will face Sky Blue FC at Rutgers University in New Jersey. A win will keep Athletica in fourth place. The game can be seen on the Fox Soccer Channel and heard locally in St. Louis on Team 1380 AM. Game time is 6pm ET.

The Los Angeles Sol who extend their points at the top of the league hosts the Chicago Red Stars this Saturday, June 27 at 1pm ET at The Home Depot Center.

“I believe in the second half we created so many chances. It is something in a match to have 12 corner kicks and we missed a goal almost inside the goal. We worked on a lot of things during the week and the goals didn’t happen for us,” said Athletica Head Coach Jorge Barcellos. “Today though we proved we could play with Los Angeles. They had two chances in the second half and scored on both chances. Now we need to prepare to go to New Jersey.”

“It was kind of frustrating that I hadn’t gotten a goal yet,” said Hanks. “Aluko set me up on a perfect through ball and I just took my chance and hit it well.”

“We made a few changes to start the second half,” said Sol Head Coach Abner Rogers. “Duan came in off the bench and scored a world class goal. We only had two good chances tonight and we got goals from both.”

Lineups:

Saint Louis Athletica: Hope Solo; Kia McNeill (58: Melissa Tancredi), Tina Ellertson, Sara Larsson, Stephanie Logterman, Lori Chalupny, Angie Woznuk, Kendall Fletcher, Amanda Cinalli (76: Ashlee Pistorius), Christie Welsh (77: Kerri Hanks), Eniola Aluko.

Los Angeles Sol: Karina LeBlanc; Manya Makoski, Allison Falk, Lisa Sari, Stephanie Cox; Camille Abily (69: Aly Wagner), Shannon Boxx (C), Aya Miyama, Brittany Bock, Marta, Keri Sanchez (50: Han Duan).

MIDWEEK GAMES -WEDNESDAY 24TH JUNE 09

Boston Breakers vs. Washington Freedom (7 pm ET - CSN)
Harvard Stadium, Cambridge, MA

The third of four matches between these two teams whose namesakes stem from the old WUSA. Boston has the chance to clinch the season series with a win after notching a 3-1 victory in the first game at Maryland SoccerPlex and drawing 1-1 in Boston one month ago. Just one point separates these two teams, with Washington sitting in second in the WPS Standings and the Breakers in third.

The Breakers broke out of several slumps over the weekend, winning their first game since May 2 with a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Red Stars. Kristine Lilly notched her first tally since May 2 and Amy Rodriguez ended her scoreless slump with an early goal. Boston is now 3-0 when Lilly scores.

Likewise, the Freedom come into the game having won on the road in Week 13 against Saint Louis. The Freedom’s 83rd-minute game-winner by Rebecca Moros was the third time this year that the Washington side has scored a clutch goal in the last 10 minutes to either win or tie a game. Abby Wambach will feature at some point although she is hampered by a hamstring injury.

This match will air on the Comcast Sports Network on Wednesday, June 24 at 7 pm ET.








Saint Louis Athletica vs. Los Angeles Sol (8 pm ET)
Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park, Fenton, MO

Saint Louis played Los Angeles tough earlier this season when the Sol visited the Gateway City, earning the Athetica’s first points on the year with a scoreless draw after two losses. But the Sol dominated the return match in Southern California, doubling the Athletica in shots (16-8) and shots on goal (8-4) in their 2-0 victory on May 30.

While the Athletica have a speedy defense which has neutralized forwards Marta and Brittany Bock in previous games, it’s midfielders Sol Camile Abily, Shannon Boxx and Aya Miyama that look to control the midfield possession and build up towards the attack for Los Angeles. For Saint Louis, Eniola Aluko has developed into a proven attacker up front – but the Los Angeles defense has given up only four goals all year and have only one multi-goal game against them this season. Aluko will need some support from Melissa Tancredi or Christie Welsh, who began the season in Los Angeles before being traded to Saint Louis in mid-May.

With a 14 point cushion for Los Angeles over the Athletica, this game is critical for Saint Louis if they want to maintain any hopes of catching the Sol in the race for first and the right to host the WPS Championship on August 20. They are the last of the seven WPS teams to begin the second half of their regular season with only 10 games played thus far.

LOS ANGELES SOL 2 - 0 FC GOLD PRIDE

The Los Angeles Sol blanked FC Gold Pride 2-0 at The Home Depot Center.

The Sol remains comfortably atop the WPS standings with an 8-1-4 record (28 points), while FC Gold Pride falls to 3-6-3 (12 pts.). Sol goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc made three saves to register her WPS-leading 9th shutout,giving her dad a very nice birthday gift while midfielder Camile Abily notched her league-best 7th goal of the season.

The Sol opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Aya Miyama's corner kick from the right side was cleared to the edge of the area finding Sol defender Martina Franko. She then volleyed the bouncing ball, hitting a slow, arching shot that was deflected on the goal mouth by Abily and nestled itself the far corner of the goal and somehow getting past Gold Pride 'keeper Nicole Barnhart.

Marta doubled the lead in the 25th minute, collecting a long Shannon Boxx pass shy of the area on the left, dribbling into the box and putting her low, left-footed shot past a diving Barnhart and into the goal. It was the fifth goal of the season for the Brazilian and her first since a 1-0 defeat of Sky Blue FC on May 15 at The Home Depot Center.

Los Angeles had three chances just seconds apart in the 71st minute, as Han Duan, Aya Miyama and Marta all had point-blanks cracks at the cage, but each was turned aside by the busy Barnhart.

The Pride managed to deny the Sol's attempts at widening the gap in the second half. Barnhart played an integral role in keeping her team in the game coming up with seven big saves in the second half. Barnhart, with a save percentage of 73 ranks second amongst all goalkeepers with 46 saves so far this season.

The Pride's leading goal scorer Christine Sinclair saw her three-game scoring streak snapped on Sunday but it was not for lack of trying as she fired off four shots, three on frame, in the match. The Canadian now leads the league in shots (37), shots on goal (18) and is tied for second in goals with five.

The Los Angeles Sol hosts the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday, June 27 in the breakfast match. The game starting at 10am!
The Pride will be given a chance to recuperate after a tough week of WPS competition with the team's final bye week of the season next week. The Pride will return to action at home on Sunday, July 5 at Buck Shaw Stadium at 5 p.m. against the Saint Louis Athletica.

"I thought we gave an excellent effort on the field, especially against such a tough team following our game against Boston just a few days ago," said FC Gold Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya. "We've worked extremely hard and came into this game with a lot of confidence thinking we could pull off a win. You have to give LA credit they keep seeming to find ways to win. I'm not disappointed in our team, they played their hearts out."


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Lineups:

Los Angeles Sol: Karina LeBlanc; Manya Makoski, Allison Falk, Martina Franko, Stephanie Cox; Camille Abily, Shannon Boxx (C), Aly Wagner, Aya Miyama, Brittany Bock (67: Han Duan), Marta.

FC Gold Pride: Nicole Barnhart; Rachel Buehler, Leigh Ann Robinson (57: Marissa Abegg), Kristen Gracyzk, Carrie Dew; Tina DiMartino (85: Tiffany Weimer), Leslie Osborne (C), Formiga; Christine Sinclair, Tiffeny Milbrett, Eriko Arakawa (67: Adriane).

WPS PREVIEW WEEK 13

LA Sol v FC Gold Pride Sun June 21 6pm ET Live FSC


Once again! I feel like these 2 teams are always playing each other. This will be the 3rd time the teams have met and there is one more to go as well!

LA Sol have never been beaten by FC Gold Pride. In fact they have never been beaten at home The Home Depot Center so it is a tall order for the Pride.

Sunday's match will truly feature the world's best as countrywomen go head-to-head. Pride Striker, Canada's National Team Captain and all-time women's leading goal scorer Christine Sinclair will try to keep her three-game scoring streak alive, but will have to beat her fellow British Columbia native and Canadian teammate Karina LeBlanc, who has helped the Sol to the league's best goals against average (.363).

Fans can also look forward to seeing U.S. Soccer stars Nicole Barnhart, Rachel Buehler, Tina DiMartino and Leslie Osborne as they face off with U.S. Soccer teammates Shannon Boxx, Stephanie Cox and Aly Wagner.

The Battle of the Samba Queens continues as Marta and the Pride's Brazilian quartet that now includes Brazil women's soccer legend Sissi will try to help lift their team to victory. Sunday will mark the 1999 Golden Boot Winner's return to professional soccer after being added to the Pride's roster as a Developmental Player on June 11.

Even though Marta hasn't scored for 5 matches the Sol are still the team to beat. They are difficult to beat due to their defensive displays as a unit. GK Karina LeBlanc and rookie centre-back Alison Falk have been instrumental in this.

Will Gold Pride score and hold on for the win or will the Sol increase their dominance in the inaugural year.

Game is also shown online at http://www.womensprosoccer.com/

FC Gold Pride 0 - 2 Los Angles Sol

At last!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Lineups:

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

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

LOS ANGELES SOL 1-0 SKY BLUE FC

Gooaalll!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lineups:

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

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

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

LA SOL V BOSTON BREAKERS

Running on empty!

The LA Sol and the Boston Breakers played out a 0-0 draw on a hot Sunday afternoon at The Home Depot Center in front of a crowd of over 6,200. It was a rematch after the Breakers gave the Sol their 1st defeat of the season last weekend in Boston.
LA started brightly with the best chance in the sixth minute when Marta's through ball found fellow forward Han Duan in stride outside the penalty area. Duan dribbled around a defender before putting a low shot on the Boston goal that was steered aside for a corner by GK Kristin Luckenbill. The Sol also created a chance a minute later, but a scramble in front of the goal did not result in a clear shot on goal.
Duan had several chances in the 1st half with the first in the 24th minute but her glancing header off a Martina Franko cross sailed clearly over the bar. She also had an opportunity in the 38th minute when Shannon Boxx played a long ball over the Boston defense but her effort banged off the left post with only Luckinbill to beat. At the end of the match a clearly emotional Duan was being comforted by fellow teammates.
In the 2nd half the Breakers were clearly the better team. Pushing for the win first with Kelly Smith sending a dangerous ball into the area but this was cleared by LA's defenders. Boston had a series of dangerous free-kicks which were scrambled away by LA. Amy LePeilbet had a header cleared of the line with 5 minutes to go. It remained scoreless till the end.
Defenders for both teams won the day.Marta and Smith did not get a lot of clearcut chances. Marta was double-teamed , even sometimes triple teamed by Boston. Smith was shadowed by the excellent Brittany Bock who was playing in midfield specifically to contain Smith.
Both teams are very evenly matched. I expect both to be in the play-offs.

"I thought we played a good first half but we lacked quality finishing," said Los Angeles Sol Head Coach Abner Rogers. "Boston is a very good team and you're not going to get many opportunities to score against them. The chances were there today, but we need to finish better."

“Getting the point on the road is not a bad result,” said Breakers head coach Tony DiCicco. “I’m not totally satisfied, but I think it was probably the right result. It was an even game and hard-fought by both teams. I’m proud of the way our players responded in the second half. It was a little hot out here for us and they stood strong through the end, which is a compliment to our fitness staff.”

Lineups :

LOS ANGELES: Karina LeBlanc; Brittany Bock, Stephanie Cox, Martina Franko, Manya Makoski (Katie Larkin, 46th minute), Aly Wagner (Camile Abily, 77th minute), Shannon Boxx, Aya Miyama, Allison Falk; Marta, Han Duan.

BOSTON: Kristin Luckenbill; Alex Scott, Amy LePeilbet, Sue Weber, Heather Mitts (Nancy Augustyniak-Goffi, 78th minute); Angela Hucles, Kristine Lilly, Stacy Bishop (Kasey Moore, 85th minute), Kelly Smith; Kelly Schmedes, Christine Latham (Amy Rodriguez, 51st minute).

LOS ANGELES SOL 1 - 0 FC GOLD PRIDE

The Los Angeles Sol defeated FC Gold Pride 1-0, on a scorching Sunday afternoon at The Home Depot Center to claim its third consecutive shutout victory of the season.After trading scoring opportunities for the first 44 minutes of the game, Japanese international Aya Miyama received a well placed through ball that gave the Sol a one-on-one scoring opportunity in the closing moments of the first half. But with pressure from FC Gold Pride keeper Nicole Barnhart, Miyama was forced to take a quick shot six yards out that grazed the outside right post and ended the half.
With halftime providing the Sol with an opportunity to escape the heat and regroup, they opened the second half with a new energy and a new formation that allowed them to set the tone for the rest of the game.In the 47th minute, midfielder Aly Wagner chipped a ball over the backline that found Marta running in stride through the 18 yard box. Marta settled the ball down, took a quick touch and placed it past Barnhart into the back of the net.Her 3rd goal of the season so far.
FC Gold Pride will be disappointed in the result as at times they dominated possession and wasted several chances on goal.
Over the season expect these two teams to start an exciting rivalry.

“Aly gave me a great pass and put me in a position to score. We’ve connected several times during training and it was great that we got one today that was the difference in the game.” Marta on her goal.

Once again the back 5 for LA - Makoski, Falk,Bock Cox & the superb Leblanc were outstanding today.Determined to keep their 3rd clean sheet in a row the defended in numbers and great individually to deny the Pride.

Lineups
Los Angeles Sol: 23 - LeBlanc (GK), 3 - Falk, 11 - Bock , 14 - Cox , 22 - Makoski, 4 - Wagner (12 - Sari, 82') , 7 - Boxx - Capt.), 8 - Miyama , 20 - Abily (18 - Larkin, 92'), 10 - Marta , 13-Welsh (17 - Bogus, 67')

FC Gold Pride: 1 - Barnhart (GK), 4 - Buehler, 7 - Robinson (13 - Graczyk, 57'), 9 -Wilson , 19 - Dew (20 - Erika, 15') , 5 - DiMartino , 10 - Osborne - Capt.), 31 - Formiga , 8 - Weimer (15 - Milbrett, 67'), 12 - Sinclair , 30 - Arakawa

MATCH UPDATE: LOS ANGELES SOL 1 - 0 FC GOLD PRIDE

Marta scored once and Karina LeBlanc recorded her third consecutive shutout as the Los Angeles Sol blanked FC Gold Pride 1-0 on a hot Sunday.

Marta's goal, her third consecutive, was all Los Angeles needed to beat FC and stay perfect in the Women's Professional Soccer standings.

The Sol (3-0) finally broke through when Marta scored in the 47th minute to make it 1-0.

Aly Wagner cleared a ball to Marta from midfield and the Brazilian soccer star split two defenders toward the left side of the box to create some space. Marta then sped in front of both to net the goal past FC goalie Nicole Barnhart.

The Sol continued to put pressure on Barnhart and had several chances to add to the score, but Marta was the only one to get through.

Allison Falk, Stephanie Cox, Manya Makoski and Brittney Bock manned Sol's defense and limited FC's touches throughout.

Full recap to follow...

WPS GOALS WEEKS 1-3

All the goals in the WPS so far.Including all goals scored by Boston Breaker's Kelly Smith and LA Sol's Marta.... Courtesy of the WPS.