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Philadelphia Independence Try To Clinch Playoff Spot At Sky Blue FC
All the expansion Independence need is a tie to clinch a playoff berth on Sunday.
By Giovanni Albanese Jr.
Heading into the home stretch of the second season of Women's Professional Soccer, all the Philadelphia Independence need is a tie to lock up a playoff spot in its first season. It won't be an easy task. They'll be up against the defending champion Sky Blue FC at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J., on Sunday afternoon.
Sky Blue FC (6-9-4, 22 points) is in a similar situation it faced last season. With five games left in their schedule, the Jersey girls sit in fifth place, three points shy of the fourth and final playoff spot currently occupied by the Washington Freedom. Rick Stainton's club, however, does have two games in hand on the Freedom.
But coming off a 4-0 loss to the Boston Breakers, Stainton is just looking forward.
"We continue to move forward and make adjustments that we feel is for the betterment of the team to achieve success," Stainton commented. "In training, we emphasize the good moments we had, we also develop in the areas where we may need."
As for Paul Riley and his second-place Independence (10-6-4, 34 points), even though they have trimmed the gap from 11 to six points on first-place FC Gold Pride, it's not in their interest to catch them with four games remaining on their schedule.
"I don't think we have a chance to catch Gold Pride and that is not really in our thought process," said Riley. "We just want to secure second place and one home game to win to get to the WPS Final. Gold Pride are still the team to beat in the league."
Philadelphia is coming off a 3-2 win over the Atlanta Beat, a game which they trailed 2-0 after 18 minutes. Tina DiMartino netted a pair and Joanna Lohman scored the game winner to cinch it.
While Amy Rodriguez leads the club in goals with 12, Riley noted production is coming from all over.
"We are getting goals from many places and this is certainly helping us gain some valuable points in the chase for second spot," said Riley. "The squad seems very fresh and they are eager to keep high standards from practice through to the games."
Going into the weekend, Philadelphia holds a five-point edge over the third-place Boston Breakers.
Stainton believes he knows the way to spoil Philadelphia's chances at separating itself from Boston, though.
"We have emphasized getting numbers behind the ball to defend and having our attacking shape dictate our defending shape," said Stainton. "They have many top quality players; I believe (Lori) Lindsey is their engine who dictates the tempo and rhythm. If we can limit her time and space with the ball and be aware of the players around her, we will be ok."
Riley claims three players must on Sky Blue FC are especially dangerous attackers and should be watched carefully.
"We must contain Heather O'Reilly, (Laura) Kalmari and obviously (Tasha) Kai," Riley stated. "They have a lot of talent and despite the fact we have beaten them three times they are an extremely difficult opponent battling for their playoff lives."
Sky Blue FC will be without Daphne Koster (Holland), playing with her national team. Kendall Fletcher and Brittany Taylor may see time in the back line. Philadelphia will be without Caroline Seger, Sara Larsson and Holmfridur Magnusdottir for the match.
Kickoff is 4 p.m. ET.
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, visit Goal.com's WPS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Sky Blue FC (6-9-4, 22 points) is in a similar situation it faced last season. With five games left in their schedule, the Jersey girls sit in fifth place, three points shy of the fourth and final playoff spot currently occupied by the Washington Freedom. Rick Stainton's club, however, does have two games in hand on the Freedom.
But coming off a 4-0 loss to the Boston Breakers, Stainton is just looking forward.
"We continue to move forward and make adjustments that we feel is for the betterment of the team to achieve success," Stainton commented. "In training, we emphasize the good moments we had, we also develop in the areas where we may need."
As for Paul Riley and his second-place Independence (10-6-4, 34 points), even though they have trimmed the gap from 11 to six points on first-place FC Gold Pride, it's not in their interest to catch them with four games remaining on their schedule.
"I don't think we have a chance to catch Gold Pride and that is not really in our thought process," said Riley. "We just want to secure second place and one home game to win to get to the WPS Final. Gold Pride are still the team to beat in the league."
Philadelphia is coming off a 3-2 win over the Atlanta Beat, a game which they trailed 2-0 after 18 minutes. Tina DiMartino netted a pair and Joanna Lohman scored the game winner to cinch it.
While Amy Rodriguez leads the club in goals with 12, Riley noted production is coming from all over.
"We are getting goals from many places and this is certainly helping us gain some valuable points in the chase for second spot," said Riley. "The squad seems very fresh and they are eager to keep high standards from practice through to the games."
Going into the weekend, Philadelphia holds a five-point edge over the third-place Boston Breakers.
Stainton believes he knows the way to spoil Philadelphia's chances at separating itself from Boston, though.
"We have emphasized getting numbers behind the ball to defend and having our attacking shape dictate our defending shape," said Stainton. "They have many top quality players; I believe (Lori) Lindsey is their engine who dictates the tempo and rhythm. If we can limit her time and space with the ball and be aware of the players around her, we will be ok."
Riley claims three players must on Sky Blue FC are especially dangerous attackers and should be watched carefully.
"We must contain Heather O'Reilly, (Laura) Kalmari and obviously (Tasha) Kai," Riley stated. "They have a lot of talent and despite the fact we have beaten them three times they are an extremely difficult opponent battling for their playoff lives."
Sky Blue FC will be without Daphne Koster (Holland), playing with her national team. Kendall Fletcher and Brittany Taylor may see time in the back line. Philadelphia will be without Caroline Seger, Sara Larsson and Holmfridur Magnusdottir for the match.
Kickoff is 4 p.m. ET.
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, visit Goal.com's WPS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
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Sky Blue FC 1-1 Independence
- 100 %
| Womens Pro Soccer - WPS (WPS) | Aug 22, 2010 | Sky Blue FC 1 - Independence 0 |
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| Womens Pro Soccer - WPS (WPS) | Jul 24, 2010 | Independence 4 - Sky Blue FC 1 |
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| Womens Pro Soccer - WPS (WPS) | Jun 19, 2010 | Sky Blue FC 1 - Independence 4 |
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| Womens Pro Soccer - WPS (WPS) | Jun 6, 2010 | Independence 2 - Sky Blue FC 1 |
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Sky Blue FC
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| Sep 10, 2010 | Sky Blue FC 0 - Boston Breakers 0 | WPS |
| Sep 5, 2010 | Atlanta Beat 0 - Sky Blue FC 0 | WPS |
| Sep 1, 2010 | Sky Blue FC 1 - FC Gold Pride 1 | WPS |
| Aug 28, 2010 | Freedom 2 - Sky Blue FC 1 | WPS |
| Aug 22, 2010 | Sky Blue FC 1 - Independence 0 | WPS |
Independence
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| Sep 25, 2010 | FC Gold Pride 4 - Independence 0 | WPS |
| Sep 23, 2010 | Boston Breakers 1 - Independence 2 | WPS |
| Sep 19, 2010 | Independence 1 - Freedom 0 | WPS |
| Sep 10, 2010 | FC Gold Pride 4 - Independence 1 | WPS |
| Sep 1, 2010 | Red Stars 2 - Independence 0 | WPS |
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