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Marta Shines As Sol Beat California Rivals Gold Pride
Marta notched a the only goal as LA Sol beat state-rivals FC Gold Pride in WPS action.
Apr 19, 2009 10:37:02 PM
The Los Angeles Sol relied on key contributions from their top players to defeat FC Gold Pride in a 1-0 game at the Home Depot Center. A Marta goal off an Aly Wagner assist on a play that was started by Shannon Boxx made all the difference in a hard-fought match.
Both teams struggled somewhat in the Los Angeles weather, as the 1 p.m. kickoff exposed the players to the heat wave currently passing through the area. It was a game which exposed players who were even slightly less than fully fit. The physical game also highlighted a developing rivalry between the two clubs, which seems only fitting, given the traditional California rivalry between sporting organizations from the North and South.
First Half
Though the teams were meeting for the first time in the Women's Professional Soccer season, they had met twice in the preseason, with the Sol prevailing in both games. Thus, the teams wasted little time getting a feel for their opponents, orchestrating attacks right from the opening whistle.
FC Gold Pride seemed comfortable on the wide field. They directed most of their offense to Eriko Arakawa. The Japanese forward was lively, getting on the end of several through balls from Christina DiMartino, but the Sol defense closed in quickly and denied clear looks at the goal.
However, in the 25th minute, Arakawa uncorked a nearly point-blank shot at Sol goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc, who nevertheless managed to corral the ball.
FC Gold Pride mixed up their approach options with Tiffany Weimer, who wasn't afraid to shoot from outside.
In the 32nd minute, the forward tried to guide a shot around LeBlanc, taking pace off the ball with a carefully struck kick that almost slipped into the top corner after flying past an outstretched LeBlanc. The attempt, however, flew just wide.
Energetic and feisty midfielder Aya Miyama looked as if she'd managed to open her goalscoring account for the Sol in the 38th minute, but the goal was disallowed for an offside violation.
The teams headed into the break level, having failed to convert cleanly any of the chances created in the first half.
Second half
Coach Abner Rogers had clearly managed to motivate his Sol players during the halftime interval, as they charged into the second half with greater intensity, putting FC Gold Pride on their heels almost immediately.
What broke the game open, however, was Aly Wagner's astute read of a backpedaling Gold Pride backline in the 47th minute. She collected a pass from Shannon Boxx, then put a ball neatly over the top of the defense for an onrushing Marta, who finished past Nicole Barnhart for the game's only goal.
Rather than suffering a let down, the Sol seemed to improve their play once the goal fell. The midfield worked especially well, feeding off the passes of an inspired Wagner, and combining nicely on several one-touch combinations.
Miyama drew applause from the crowd for a tricky touch move that put the ball into the box, but although the creative play of the Sol was clicking, the final finish eluded the home team.
"We need more goals - for me," said a slightly frustrated Miyama after the game. "I made mistakes."
The Sol's effective attacking play continued into the 60th minute, but the insurance goal would not fall. Players were left lamenting wasted chances.
FC Gold Pride began to reassert themselves and fight for the equalizing goal.
Though she was already the team hero for scoring the goal, Marta dropped back into the midfield for more touches on the ball. She even played defense to try to disrupt the Gold Pride attack.
A gassed Christie Welsh, who appeared exhausted by the high temperatures on the field, was replaced by Liz Bogus in the 67th minute.
Seconds later, even the home fans of the Sol applauded when one of the U.S. national team's most potent forwards, Tiffeny Milbrett entered the game for Weimer.
Milbrett's pace immediately made an impact, and FC Gold Pride began to dominate the time of possession, creating more chances on goal. The Sol scrambled to protect their slight advantage.
"Coming in off the bench, it can be hard to find the rhythm of the game," Milbrett said. "I tried to be destructive out there, I tried to be dangerous."
Perhaps in a move designed to protect Wagner, who has been prone to injury, Rogers subbed his playmaker out in the 80th minute.
This seemed to doom the Sol to merely defending, but the team managed to do that quite well, keeping FC Gold Pride at bay for the duration.
The Sol have yet to draw a match or even concede a goal. Aside from their opening match, Marta has a goal in every game. FC Gold Pride challenged them and even finished the match with more shots on target and more corner kicks, but they weren't able to do more than slow down the Sol express.
"We have a very good group of players," said Rogers, giving credit to his group. "We've gotten off to a great start. It wasn't one of our best performances today, but we got the victory."
Andrea Canales, Goal.com
Both teams struggled somewhat in the Los Angeles weather, as the 1 p.m. kickoff exposed the players to the heat wave currently passing through the area. It was a game which exposed players who were even slightly less than fully fit. The physical game also highlighted a developing rivalry between the two clubs, which seems only fitting, given the traditional California rivalry between sporting organizations from the North and South.
First Half
Though the teams were meeting for the first time in the Women's Professional Soccer season, they had met twice in the preseason, with the Sol prevailing in both games. Thus, the teams wasted little time getting a feel for their opponents, orchestrating attacks right from the opening whistle.
FC Gold Pride seemed comfortable on the wide field. They directed most of their offense to Eriko Arakawa. The Japanese forward was lively, getting on the end of several through balls from Christina DiMartino, but the Sol defense closed in quickly and denied clear looks at the goal.
However, in the 25th minute, Arakawa uncorked a nearly point-blank shot at Sol goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc, who nevertheless managed to corral the ball.
FC Gold Pride mixed up their approach options with Tiffany Weimer, who wasn't afraid to shoot from outside.
In the 32nd minute, the forward tried to guide a shot around LeBlanc, taking pace off the ball with a carefully struck kick that almost slipped into the top corner after flying past an outstretched LeBlanc. The attempt, however, flew just wide.
Energetic and feisty midfielder Aya Miyama looked as if she'd managed to open her goalscoring account for the Sol in the 38th minute, but the goal was disallowed for an offside violation.
The teams headed into the break level, having failed to convert cleanly any of the chances created in the first half.
Second half
Coach Abner Rogers had clearly managed to motivate his Sol players during the halftime interval, as they charged into the second half with greater intensity, putting FC Gold Pride on their heels almost immediately.
What broke the game open, however, was Aly Wagner's astute read of a backpedaling Gold Pride backline in the 47th minute. She collected a pass from Shannon Boxx, then put a ball neatly over the top of the defense for an onrushing Marta, who finished past Nicole Barnhart for the game's only goal.
Rather than suffering a let down, the Sol seemed to improve their play once the goal fell. The midfield worked especially well, feeding off the passes of an inspired Wagner, and combining nicely on several one-touch combinations.
Miyama drew applause from the crowd for a tricky touch move that put the ball into the box, but although the creative play of the Sol was clicking, the final finish eluded the home team.
"We need more goals - for me," said a slightly frustrated Miyama after the game. "I made mistakes."
The Sol's effective attacking play continued into the 60th minute, but the insurance goal would not fall. Players were left lamenting wasted chances.
FC Gold Pride began to reassert themselves and fight for the equalizing goal.
Though she was already the team hero for scoring the goal, Marta dropped back into the midfield for more touches on the ball. She even played defense to try to disrupt the Gold Pride attack.
A gassed Christie Welsh, who appeared exhausted by the high temperatures on the field, was replaced by Liz Bogus in the 67th minute.
Seconds later, even the home fans of the Sol applauded when one of the U.S. national team's most potent forwards, Tiffeny Milbrett entered the game for Weimer.
Milbrett's pace immediately made an impact, and FC Gold Pride began to dominate the time of possession, creating more chances on goal. The Sol scrambled to protect their slight advantage.
"Coming in off the bench, it can be hard to find the rhythm of the game," Milbrett said. "I tried to be destructive out there, I tried to be dangerous."
Perhaps in a move designed to protect Wagner, who has been prone to injury, Rogers subbed his playmaker out in the 80th minute.
This seemed to doom the Sol to merely defending, but the team managed to do that quite well, keeping FC Gold Pride at bay for the duration.
The Sol have yet to draw a match or even concede a goal. Aside from their opening match, Marta has a goal in every game. FC Gold Pride challenged them and even finished the match with more shots on target and more corner kicks, but they weren't able to do more than slow down the Sol express.
"We have a very good group of players," said Rogers, giving credit to his group. "We've gotten off to a great start. It wasn't one of our best performances today, but we got the victory."
Andrea Canales, Goal.com
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