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Sol Still Rolling With 2-0 Win Over Athletica
Marta didn't score, but it didn't matter, as the Sol shut out Athletica and got goals from Shannon Boxx and Camile Abily.
May 31, 2009 12:25:49 AM
The Los Angeles Sol continued to reign as the league leaders in Women's
Professional Soccer, cementing their position as the team to beat by
defeating St. Louis Athletica, 2-0.
For a team that looked a bit like Marta and her ten teammates at the start of the season, the Los Angeles Sol are starting to show more balance all over the field, with their opponents paying the price. St. Louis Athletica, led by Brazilian coach Jorge Barcellos, displayed a nice possession game at various points throughout the match, but lacked the superstar player or cohesive team creativity to break down the LA defense, which has fortuitously gelled at the same time that their offense has displayed more creativity.
First Half
Early on in the game, the Sol showed every intention of retaining their unbeaten home record, working the ball around well to earn a corner. The Sol finished up with three on the night, while St. Louis Athletica ended the match with one.
On this first opportunity, Aya Miyama's corner was punched out by St. Louis goalkeeper Hope Solo, but Marta with a tricky touch took down the ball and the Sol worked the ball back to Miyama, who cracked a skipping shot from about 20 feet. Solo crouched low to scoop up the ball to safety.
One reason that the Sol have been more effective of late is because different team members have adopted a more attacking mentality. This was evident when on another corner, Camile Abily volleyed the ball towards goal, but was denied by Solo.
St Louis put together an attack of their own soon after, as Angie Woznuk went on an elusive dribble run that culminated in a quick pass into the box for Eniola Aluko. Sol goalkeeper Karina Le Blanc was ready, however, making the save on Aluko's quick shot.
Great teamwork created the Sol goal in the 35th minute. Britany Bock fought for a ball in midfield, managing to slip it out to Shannon Boxx running on the wing, who then cracked a cross into the the boc. Marta drew attention in the box, but her header lacked control, with the ball bouncing away from her. However, the Sol had another player making a trailing run. Abily brought the ball down and cannily waited for Solo to commit, going to ground to try to stop the shot, while Abily struck a short chip, roofing the ball into the goal.
After the game, Boxx spoke on how Bock's move to the midfield aided her game.
"She's so good defensively," Boxx said of Bock's ball-winning ability. "It allows me to be more creative."
Though the Athletica midfield played well for the rest of the half, the Sol defense clamped down on every opportunity near Le Blanc's goal.
Second Half
Though the St. Louis squad was only a goal down, it was the Sol who came out with renewed energy in the second half, and their lively play was soon rewarded.
Boxx scored in the 50th for her first goal of the season, finishing off an excellent pass from forward Han Duan. Boxx explained that the solid defensive wall enabled the midfielders to flood into the offensive channels along with the Sol attackers.
"The defense has been doing so great, that's why I'm able to go forward," said Boxx. "Credit to Han, who played a great ball to me and made it very easy."
With a two-goal lead in hand, the Sol fell back on the style that characterized the team early in the season - keeping things tight and allowing Marta to work her magic up front.
In nearly paid off in a breakaway in the 70th, as Solo was forced to deny Marta, who was leaving trailing defenders in her wake.
With Marta lurking to counter at every chance, St. Louis seemed tentative in the attack.
"Today was one of those games where we just couldn't get things going," said Lori Chalupny. "If you're playing LA, the best team in the league, you can't do that."
Late in the match Marta thrilled fans with another charge. She took on two defenders, beat one, fell over in the clash against the other, got up, still kept possession, and managed to pass the ball to another teammate in the box, continuing the attack.
Marta's play, even when she is held scoreless, is a key part of the Sol's success.
"Marta is going to draw two, three players because of her speed and talent," Boxx explained. "It starts with her. She's a danger."
Solo described the Sol as a bit dependent on Marta.
"We had a great possession game," said Solo. " (The Sol) are ahead in points. Do I think they play together as a team? Not so much. They have a great goalscorer in Marta."
Athletica coach Barcellos noted that his players miss their own Brazilian star, Daniela, who is out for the season with a leg injury.
"She provided such competitive enthusiasm - it lifted the whole team," Barcellos said.
The league-leading Sol have a short turn-around to their next match, as the Chicago Red Stars come to Carson on Wednesday to try to break down the fortress the Sol have created on their home field. St. Louis Atletica returns to Missouri to face Sky Blue FC in a weekend clash.
Andrea Canales, Goal.com
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com's Women's Soccer page.
For a team that looked a bit like Marta and her ten teammates at the start of the season, the Los Angeles Sol are starting to show more balance all over the field, with their opponents paying the price. St. Louis Athletica, led by Brazilian coach Jorge Barcellos, displayed a nice possession game at various points throughout the match, but lacked the superstar player or cohesive team creativity to break down the LA defense, which has fortuitously gelled at the same time that their offense has displayed more creativity.
First Half
Early on in the game, the Sol showed every intention of retaining their unbeaten home record, working the ball around well to earn a corner. The Sol finished up with three on the night, while St. Louis Athletica ended the match with one.
On this first opportunity, Aya Miyama's corner was punched out by St. Louis goalkeeper Hope Solo, but Marta with a tricky touch took down the ball and the Sol worked the ball back to Miyama, who cracked a skipping shot from about 20 feet. Solo crouched low to scoop up the ball to safety.
One reason that the Sol have been more effective of late is because different team members have adopted a more attacking mentality. This was evident when on another corner, Camile Abily volleyed the ball towards goal, but was denied by Solo.
St Louis put together an attack of their own soon after, as Angie Woznuk went on an elusive dribble run that culminated in a quick pass into the box for Eniola Aluko. Sol goalkeeper Karina Le Blanc was ready, however, making the save on Aluko's quick shot.
Great teamwork created the Sol goal in the 35th minute. Britany Bock fought for a ball in midfield, managing to slip it out to Shannon Boxx running on the wing, who then cracked a cross into the the boc. Marta drew attention in the box, but her header lacked control, with the ball bouncing away from her. However, the Sol had another player making a trailing run. Abily brought the ball down and cannily waited for Solo to commit, going to ground to try to stop the shot, while Abily struck a short chip, roofing the ball into the goal.
After the game, Boxx spoke on how Bock's move to the midfield aided her game.
"She's so good defensively," Boxx said of Bock's ball-winning ability. "It allows me to be more creative."
Though the Athletica midfield played well for the rest of the half, the Sol defense clamped down on every opportunity near Le Blanc's goal.
Second Half
Though the St. Louis squad was only a goal down, it was the Sol who came out with renewed energy in the second half, and their lively play was soon rewarded.
Boxx scored in the 50th for her first goal of the season, finishing off an excellent pass from forward Han Duan. Boxx explained that the solid defensive wall enabled the midfielders to flood into the offensive channels along with the Sol attackers.
"The defense has been doing so great, that's why I'm able to go forward," said Boxx. "Credit to Han, who played a great ball to me and made it very easy."
With a two-goal lead in hand, the Sol fell back on the style that characterized the team early in the season - keeping things tight and allowing Marta to work her magic up front.
In nearly paid off in a breakaway in the 70th, as Solo was forced to deny Marta, who was leaving trailing defenders in her wake.
With Marta lurking to counter at every chance, St. Louis seemed tentative in the attack.
"Today was one of those games where we just couldn't get things going," said Lori Chalupny. "If you're playing LA, the best team in the league, you can't do that."
Late in the match Marta thrilled fans with another charge. She took on two defenders, beat one, fell over in the clash against the other, got up, still kept possession, and managed to pass the ball to another teammate in the box, continuing the attack.
Marta's play, even when she is held scoreless, is a key part of the Sol's success.
"Marta is going to draw two, three players because of her speed and talent," Boxx explained. "It starts with her. She's a danger."
Solo described the Sol as a bit dependent on Marta.
"We had a great possession game," said Solo. " (The Sol) are ahead in points. Do I think they play together as a team? Not so much. They have a great goalscorer in Marta."
Athletica coach Barcellos noted that his players miss their own Brazilian star, Daniela, who is out for the season with a leg injury.
"She provided such competitive enthusiasm - it lifted the whole team," Barcellos said.
The league-leading Sol have a short turn-around to their next match, as the Chicago Red Stars come to Carson on Wednesday to try to break down the fortress the Sol have created on their home field. St. Louis Atletica returns to Missouri to face Sky Blue FC in a weekend clash.
Andrea Canales, Goal.com
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com's Women's Soccer page.
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