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Played
August 22, 2010 6:00 PM EDT
Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL
August 22, 2010 6:00 PM EDT
Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL
FC Gold Pride Takes On Chicago Red Stars, Can Clinch Top Spot With Win And Help
With a win and losses by both Philadelphia and Boston on Sunday night, FC Gold Pride will clinch a spot in the WPS Championship.
By Giovanni Albanese Jr.
Two weeks ago, the Chicago Red Stars went to the West Coast and played the league-leading FC Gold Pride to a scoreless draw. Things looked as if the Red Stars were ready to make a push for the playoffs. A 2-0 loss later (Thursday at Washington) and Chicago is on the brink of elimination.
A loss won't completely kill the chances for the Red Stars, but with just three games left, it will all but ensure them they will not be heading to the post season for the second straight season.
Their quest to stay alive in the race for the WPS playoffs begins Sunday night at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill., against the Gold Pride.
But before even stepping on the pitch, the Red Stars may be at a larger disadvantage than two weeks ago. Kate Markgraf is recovering from a concussion; Formiga hobbled off the field with an ankle injury on Thursday; Jessica McDonald tore her patellar tendon Thursday and is out for the year; and they are missing Karen Carney and Katie Chapman for national duty.
Meanwhile, for the first-place Gold Pride, their league-best defense has been on top of its game lately. In its last three matches, the Pride have recorded shutouts -- against Atlanta, Chicago and Washington. They boast a defense that has allowed just 14 goals in 19 matches.
However, the offense has struggled of late. After a five-game win streak, the Pride have tied the past three matches, being shut out each time.
A win, coupled with losses by both the Boston Breakers (Saturday night vs. Atlanta) and Philadelphia Independence (Sunday at Sky Blue FC) would clinch the top spot for FC Gold Pride and an automatic bid into the WPS Championship on Sept. 26.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET and can be viewed nationally on Fox Soccer Channel.
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, visit Goal.com's WPS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
A loss won't completely kill the chances for the Red Stars, but with just three games left, it will all but ensure them they will not be heading to the post season for the second straight season.
Their quest to stay alive in the race for the WPS playoffs begins Sunday night at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill., against the Gold Pride.
But before even stepping on the pitch, the Red Stars may be at a larger disadvantage than two weeks ago. Kate Markgraf is recovering from a concussion; Formiga hobbled off the field with an ankle injury on Thursday; Jessica McDonald tore her patellar tendon Thursday and is out for the year; and they are missing Karen Carney and Katie Chapman for national duty.
Meanwhile, for the first-place Gold Pride, their league-best defense has been on top of its game lately. In its last three matches, the Pride have recorded shutouts -- against Atlanta, Chicago and Washington. They boast a defense that has allowed just 14 goals in 19 matches.
However, the offense has struggled of late. After a five-game win streak, the Pride have tied the past three matches, being shut out each time.
A win, coupled with losses by both the Boston Breakers (Saturday night vs. Atlanta) and Philadelphia Independence (Sunday at Sky Blue FC) would clinch the top spot for FC Gold Pride and an automatic bid into the WPS Championship on Sept. 26.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET and can be viewed nationally on Fox Soccer Channel.
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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Red Stars 1-3 FC Gold Pride
- 100 %
| Womens Pro Soccer - WPS (WPS) | Aug 22, 2010 | Red Stars 2 - FC Gold Pride 3 |
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| Womens Pro Soccer - WPS (WPS) | Aug 6, 2010 | FC Gold Pride 0 - Red Stars 0 |
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| Womens Pro Soccer - WPS (WPS) | May 29, 2010 | Red Stars 1 - FC Gold Pride 0 |
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| Womens Pro Soccer - WPS (WPS) | May 8, 2010 | FC Gold Pride 2 - Red Stars 0 |
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| Womens Pro Soccer - WPS (WPS) | Jul 13, 2009 | Red Stars 3 - FC Gold Pride 1 |
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Red Stars
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| Sep 5, 2010 | Red Stars 2 - Freedom 1 | WPS |
| Sep 1, 2010 | Red Stars 2 - Independence 0 | WPS |
| Aug 22, 2010 | Red Stars 2 - FC Gold Pride 3 | WPS |
| Aug 19, 2010 | Freedom 2 - Red Stars 0 | WPS |
| Aug 11, 2010 | Red Stars 1 - Independence 2 | WPS |
FC Gold Pride
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| Sep 25, 2010 | FC Gold Pride 4 - Independence 0 | WPS |
| Sep 10, 2010 | FC Gold Pride 4 - Independence 1 | WPS |
| Sep 5, 2010 | FC Gold Pride 2 - Boston Breakers 0 | WPS |
| Sep 1, 2010 | Sky Blue FC 1 - FC Gold Pride 1 | WPS |
| Aug 28, 2010 | Atlanta Beat 1 - FC Gold Pride 6 | WPS |
Match News