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Women's Professional Soccer Preview: Week 7
Memorial Day weekend's matches have two rematches -- FC Gold Pride at Chicago; Philadelphia at Washington -- and a rivalry game between two Northeast clubs, Sky Blue FC and the Boston Breakers.
May 28, 2010 3:50:00 PM
By Giovanni Albanese Jr.
In a week where virtually all the focus was directed in the Midwest, with the sudden folding of the St. Louis Athletica and seemingly spontaneous firing of Emma Hayes in Chicago, the WPS does in fact have a trio of games over Memorial Day weekend.
Each team is entering play coming off a bye, with the league scheduling an off week to accommodate for the United States Women's National Team friendly against the German Women's National Team (a 4-0 US win).
And it will be a weekend that features three intriguing match-ups: an emerging rivalry between two Northeast clubs, Sky Blue FC and Boston Breakers; a rematch from Week 5, pitting the FC Gold Pride against the Chicago Red Stars; and another rematch, this one from Week 3, between the Philadelphia Independence and Washington Freedom.
Boston Breakers (1-2-3, 6 pts.) @ Sky Blue FC (3-2-1, 10 pts.)
Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, Yurcak Field (Piscataway, New Jersey)
Sky Blue FC may have benefited most from the off week, as three key players are set to return to action. Tasha Kai, who has missed several weeks with a hamstring injury, Meghan Schnur, who has played in just two games, and Christie Rampone, who has been out all season, will all be ready to play.
"We got the break at a good time, where we got a few of our injured players back," said Sky Blue FC coach Pauliina Miettinen. "We got to recharge the batteries and were able to get the borderline players into a lot better shape and health."
Sky Blue FC got Kai, Schnur and Rampone, as well as some on the nonregulars playing time in a scrimmage against Hudson Valley Quickstrike FC Lady Blues, a 3-0 Sky Blue FC win.
Boston, on the other hand, got away from WPS play, and will try to put its lack of results in the past with a win on Saturday. One solution will be for the offense to execute.
"Our offense has created good chances in every game so I have to be patient and try to keep it positive," said Breakers coach Tony DiCicco. "Every defense in this league is difficult with good goalkeepers, Sky Blue is no exception, so our finishing has to trump good defense."
Boston's best threat at trumping the Sky Blue FC defense -- and WPS saves leader Karen Bardsley (41) -- is from the duo of Lauren Cheney and Kelly Smith.
"They will be dangerous but we’ll try to eliminate them as best we can," said Miettinen. "Every team has great forwards. We have to be a little different with Smith. Cheney is good target forward and scorer, but our approach with her will be no different than any other forward in the league."
DiCicco and the Breakers know they are in for a battle in this emerging rivalry, but fully expect to play well and get a result.
"They work hard and have shown the ability to get results," DiCicco said of his opponent. "I expect a difficult game but I also expect the Breakers to show up and play well."
And as any quality team would admit, even with solid play to this point, the defending champs are still trying to improve.
"We still need to find a rhythm, and play a full 90 minutes," said Miettinen. "Last game (2-2 tie at St. Louis) showed we are on our way. It’s important we get our game clicking."
FC Gold Pride (5-1-0, 15 pts.) @ Chicago Red Stars (1-4-1, 4 pts.)
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, Toyota Park (Bridgeview, Illinois)
FC Gold Pride and Chicago are going in opposite directions. While the Pride took a five-game win streak into the break, the Red Stars went into the break losers of two straight, including a 2-0 loss to the Pride on the road on May 8.
During the break, the Gold Pride took the time to heal its players, both mentally and physically, while the Red Stars fired its coach, and appear to be a team in disarray.
“We had that break come at a great time," said Gold Pride coach Albertin Montoya. "It definitely helped some players heal, and I think they needed a little mental break, too, because they‘ve been working that hard.”
One player who will return to action after missing the last game, a 2-1 win at Boston on May 14, is Kelley O'Hara.
Meanwhile in the Red Stars camp, midfielder Megan Rapinoe, speaking on behalf of her teammates, is saddened of the dismissal of Hayes, but feels the team will bounce back.
"I think the team is very positive and excited going forward with the rest of this year. As a team off the field we are very close and committed deeply to each other and this team, and are excited to hopefully bring that out on the field from here on out," said Rapinoe "This is a very long season and we are not far along into it. At the end of the day the Chicago Red Stars were not getting the job done, and getting the results we are capable of, and a change had to be made, and in professional sports the head coach usually takes the brunt of that."
Without Hayes at the helm, it presents a different challenge in preparation for Montoya.
“We can’t look at their past games and formations, because you just don’t know what’s going to come at you,” Montoya said. “We have to be ready for the unexpected, so we got to be sure we are prepared for whatever Chicago is going to put out there.”
Rapinoe explained that getting to the Pride is simply a matter of taking them out of their rhythm.
“If we can get them out of their rhythm, and go at them, and run at their defense the way they do others, we can be successful,” said Rapinoe. “We have been working very hard in training this week and are looking for a fresh start this week and a win for our fans at home."
Carissa Ulmet contributed to this article.
Philadelphia Independence (3-1-2, 11 pts.) @ Washington Freedom (3-2-1, 10 pts.)
Sunday, 6 p.m. ET, Maryland SoccerPlex (Boyds, Maryland; TV - FSC)
Philadelphia and Washington approached their respective bye week differently. While the Independence had an extended weekend off, the Freedom were playing host to the Canadian Women's National Team. Washington -- without Abby Wambach, playing with the United States -- netted three goals, tying Christine Sinclair and the Canadians, 3-3. Freedom coach Jim Gabarra was pleased with the performance.
"I thought we played very well in the first half and a couple of our players came away with some game confidence," said Gabarra. "It is a positive to score three goals without Abby to continue to have a balanced attack."
Washington has come a long way from its 3-1 loss to Philadelphia in Week 3 on Philadelphia's home turf. In the game, Independence was able to contain Wambach, courtesy of the "Twin Towers" of Allison Falk and Sara Larsson.
"They certainly won the first battle," said Gabarra. "And it is a tough match up for Abby, but she has a difficult time in every WPS match (with double teams, etc.)."
But winning on the road this time around won't be easy for coach Paul Riley and the Independence. However, after notching its first road win two weeks ago (1-0 at Chicago), they have more confidence going into the game.
"It is a difficult place to win at," said Riley about playing on the Freedom's home pitch. "But after Chicago we go in with a lot of confidence. The field is big and will allow us to play to our strengths."
Philadelphia had a determined look about them throughout training this week, according to Riley, and feels the club's training on a grass pitch will "keep us in good stead going into the Freedom game."
Since the 3-1 drubbing, Washington's play has continued to escalate, and now they sit just one point behind Philly for second place in the WPS standings. Gabarra is hoping for that type of play to continue this weekend.
"We need to continue to perform consistently the way we have since that match," Gabarra said. "We need to compete and match their intensity and not give away too many easy chances."
Stopping those chances is what Riley believes will be a challenge for his Independence club, even as the league's stingiest defense (4 goals against in 6 games).
"They are difficult to defend against and Wambach is a thorn in every opponents' side. How we contain her, how we cut of distribution to her will define how we do," said Riley. "Their midfield is clever and composed and we have to ensure we out work and out think them in that area of the field in order to get three points."
Each team is entering play coming off a bye, with the league scheduling an off week to accommodate for the United States Women's National Team friendly against the German Women's National Team (a 4-0 US win).
And it will be a weekend that features three intriguing match-ups: an emerging rivalry between two Northeast clubs, Sky Blue FC and Boston Breakers; a rematch from Week 5, pitting the FC Gold Pride against the Chicago Red Stars; and another rematch, this one from Week 3, between the Philadelphia Independence and Washington Freedom.
Boston Breakers (1-2-3, 6 pts.) @ Sky Blue FC (3-2-1, 10 pts.)
Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, Yurcak Field (Piscataway, New Jersey)
Sky Blue FC may have benefited most from the off week, as three key players are set to return to action. Tasha Kai, who has missed several weeks with a hamstring injury, Meghan Schnur, who has played in just two games, and Christie Rampone, who has been out all season, will all be ready to play.
"We got the break at a good time, where we got a few of our injured players back," said Sky Blue FC coach Pauliina Miettinen. "We got to recharge the batteries and were able to get the borderline players into a lot better shape and health."
Sky Blue FC got Kai, Schnur and Rampone, as well as some on the nonregulars playing time in a scrimmage against Hudson Valley Quickstrike FC Lady Blues, a 3-0 Sky Blue FC win.
Boston, on the other hand, got away from WPS play, and will try to put its lack of results in the past with a win on Saturday. One solution will be for the offense to execute.
"Our offense has created good chances in every game so I have to be patient and try to keep it positive," said Breakers coach Tony DiCicco. "Every defense in this league is difficult with good goalkeepers, Sky Blue is no exception, so our finishing has to trump good defense."
Boston's best threat at trumping the Sky Blue FC defense -- and WPS saves leader Karen Bardsley (41) -- is from the duo of Lauren Cheney and Kelly Smith.
"They will be dangerous but we’ll try to eliminate them as best we can," said Miettinen. "Every team has great forwards. We have to be a little different with Smith. Cheney is good target forward and scorer, but our approach with her will be no different than any other forward in the league."
DiCicco and the Breakers know they are in for a battle in this emerging rivalry, but fully expect to play well and get a result.
"They work hard and have shown the ability to get results," DiCicco said of his opponent. "I expect a difficult game but I also expect the Breakers to show up and play well."
And as any quality team would admit, even with solid play to this point, the defending champs are still trying to improve.
"We still need to find a rhythm, and play a full 90 minutes," said Miettinen. "Last game (2-2 tie at St. Louis) showed we are on our way. It’s important we get our game clicking."
FC Gold Pride (5-1-0, 15 pts.) @ Chicago Red Stars (1-4-1, 4 pts.)
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, Toyota Park (Bridgeview, Illinois)
FC Gold Pride and Chicago are going in opposite directions. While the Pride took a five-game win streak into the break, the Red Stars went into the break losers of two straight, including a 2-0 loss to the Pride on the road on May 8.
During the break, the Gold Pride took the time to heal its players, both mentally and physically, while the Red Stars fired its coach, and appear to be a team in disarray.
“We had that break come at a great time," said Gold Pride coach Albertin Montoya. "It definitely helped some players heal, and I think they needed a little mental break, too, because they‘ve been working that hard.”
One player who will return to action after missing the last game, a 2-1 win at Boston on May 14, is Kelley O'Hara.
Meanwhile in the Red Stars camp, midfielder Megan Rapinoe, speaking on behalf of her teammates, is saddened of the dismissal of Hayes, but feels the team will bounce back.
"I think the team is very positive and excited going forward with the rest of this year. As a team off the field we are very close and committed deeply to each other and this team, and are excited to hopefully bring that out on the field from here on out," said Rapinoe "This is a very long season and we are not far along into it. At the end of the day the Chicago Red Stars were not getting the job done, and getting the results we are capable of, and a change had to be made, and in professional sports the head coach usually takes the brunt of that."
Without Hayes at the helm, it presents a different challenge in preparation for Montoya.
“We can’t look at their past games and formations, because you just don’t know what’s going to come at you,” Montoya said. “We have to be ready for the unexpected, so we got to be sure we are prepared for whatever Chicago is going to put out there.”
Rapinoe explained that getting to the Pride is simply a matter of taking them out of their rhythm.
“If we can get them out of their rhythm, and go at them, and run at their defense the way they do others, we can be successful,” said Rapinoe. “We have been working very hard in training this week and are looking for a fresh start this week and a win for our fans at home."
Carissa Ulmet contributed to this article.
Philadelphia Independence (3-1-2, 11 pts.) @ Washington Freedom (3-2-1, 10 pts.)
Sunday, 6 p.m. ET, Maryland SoccerPlex (Boyds, Maryland; TV - FSC)
Philadelphia and Washington approached their respective bye week differently. While the Independence had an extended weekend off, the Freedom were playing host to the Canadian Women's National Team. Washington -- without Abby Wambach, playing with the United States -- netted three goals, tying Christine Sinclair and the Canadians, 3-3. Freedom coach Jim Gabarra was pleased with the performance.
"I thought we played very well in the first half and a couple of our players came away with some game confidence," said Gabarra. "It is a positive to score three goals without Abby to continue to have a balanced attack."
Washington has come a long way from its 3-1 loss to Philadelphia in Week 3 on Philadelphia's home turf. In the game, Independence was able to contain Wambach, courtesy of the "Twin Towers" of Allison Falk and Sara Larsson.
"They certainly won the first battle," said Gabarra. "And it is a tough match up for Abby, but she has a difficult time in every WPS match (with double teams, etc.)."
But winning on the road this time around won't be easy for coach Paul Riley and the Independence. However, after notching its first road win two weeks ago (1-0 at Chicago), they have more confidence going into the game.
"It is a difficult place to win at," said Riley about playing on the Freedom's home pitch. "But after Chicago we go in with a lot of confidence. The field is big and will allow us to play to our strengths."
Philadelphia had a determined look about them throughout training this week, according to Riley, and feels the club's training on a grass pitch will "keep us in good stead going into the Freedom game."
Since the 3-1 drubbing, Washington's play has continued to escalate, and now they sit just one point behind Philly for second place in the WPS standings. Gabarra is hoping for that type of play to continue this weekend.
"We need to continue to perform consistently the way we have since that match," Gabarra said. "We need to compete and match their intensity and not give away too many easy chances."
Stopping those chances is what Riley believes will be a challenge for his Independence club, even as the league's stingiest defense (4 goals against in 6 games).
"They are difficult to defend against and Wambach is a thorn in every opponents' side. How we contain her, how we cut of distribution to her will define how we do," said Riley. "Their midfield is clever and composed and we have to ensure we out work and out think them in that area of the field in order to get three points."
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