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Counterattack Special: WPS Playoffs
Kathryn L. Knapp and Christa Mann debate the WPS Super Semifinal game between Saint Louis Athletica and Sky Blue FC.
Aug 19, 2009 1:48:39 AM
Sky Blue FC's Natasha Kai and Francielle scored to upset the No. 3 Washington Freedom 2-1 in the first round of the WPS playoffs. But can their luck continue against the No. 2 club in WPS – Saint Louis Athletica? The clubs meet Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at Anheuser-Busch Stadium in Fenton, Mo.
Athletica finished the season off strong, ending with a 10-6-4 record (34 points). They went unbeaten in their final five matches with a 3-0-2 record. Sky Blue (7-8-5, 26 points) ended the season with a 2-2-1 record and then a 2-1 win over Washington. This will mark the fourth time the two clubs have met. Sky Blue has never won against Saint Louis. Athletica posted a 3-0-0 record against SBFC, outscoring them 4-1.
The winner will advance to face the Los Angeles Sol in the WPS Championship on Saturday, August 22nd at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Kathryn L. Knapp - So... Sky Blue FC made it to the Super Semifinal... what next? Can they get past Saint Louis? Or is Athletica too tough?
Christa Mann - Sky Blue is rolling with a lot of momentum right now. But as much as I would love to see Cinderella story come true, I think their luck runs out against the Athletica. After three regular season meetings, SBFC has yet to defeat St. Louis and has only scored one goal to the Athletica's three. If SBFC were to overcome St. Louis, what do you think it would take?
Kathryn - As we learned in the first playoff match, anything is possible in the playoffs. Sky Blue had never won against the Washington Freedom either. But a little bit of luck and a lot of heart saw them to the Super Semifinal round.
Christa - So there is a chance...the thing that hurts St. Louis is that they're coming off a tie against FC Gold Pride in the last game which is not really the momentum they were looking to have going into their first playoff game.
Kathryn - That is true. Tying the team at the bottom of the standings isn't exactly an impressive stat. But it was only 1-1... and prior to that they added their 9th and 10th shutouts. They are tough.
Christa - No not impressive at all. SBFC is on a hot streak but Saint Louis has arguably the best back line in the league.
Kathryn - Both teams like to play tight matches. They don't allow room for opponents to get away with much. I would imagine this one too will be a close match.
Christa - I agree. I could see this one ending in a 2-1 Athletica advantage to round out the four games.
Kathryn - Ehhh.... Sky Blue 1-0. That's what I'm seeing. Who will score for Saint Louis? I 'd like to see Kerri Hanks tally the game-winner for SBFC. That would be fun.
Christa – Christie Welsh or maybe even a nice finish from Amanda Cinalli or Lori Chalupny depending on the heath of the Athletica midfield.
I would like to see each of the traded players have breakout games.
Kathryn - That story would write itself.
Saint Louis and Sky Blue have both tallied 19 goals. Athletica has allowed 15 while Sky Blue has allowed 20. St. Louis 10 shutouts - Sky Blue 8. It's time for a true Cinderella team to turn the tables and make the playoffs exciting.
Christa - That makes the defense seem pretty even. But I'm convinced that SBFC's backline will get a lot more pressure and will give away too many corners. Last game pressure led to the Eniola Aluko goal. Granted, Aluko won't be there for this one, but I see Saint Louis doing a better job containing.
Kathryn - Man marking may be a bit tighter. I could see that. But someone will sneak up on Hope Solo. Perhaps an unknown...
Christa - Solo and Jenni Branam will obviously come up huge, but I almost feel like it will take one small mistake to set up the game winner.
Kathryn - So honestly... do you think either team could beat the Sol? They didn't in the regular season... although both teams played to 0-0 draws with L.A.
Christa - It could and that would really make things interesting. If somehow SBFC pulls it out, I see the Sol rolling over the New Jersey team. Or, dare I say, a really boring LA win. St. Louis has the better chance.
I'd like to see how Jorge Barcellos handles Marta on the biggest stage thus far.
Kathryn - Sky Blue isn't expected to win. And Saint Louis is expected to just breeze by... It's often the underdog that sneaks in and takes over. They say that the less pressure you’re under, the more relaxed you play and the easier it is to win.
Christa - Tensions are high so I think teams tend to have a quicker speed of play, which usually makes for a more exciting match-up. It's do or die and that pretty serious considering a chance to upset the regular season's league champs in the WPS Final.
Kathryn - That's true... do or die. This is it. This could be the last game for either team. And of course... the challenge of beating the top team in the league has to be starting a fire under someone...
Christa - So all in all, do or die, I'm going with St. Louis. Sky Blue could pull if off, but you'll need to do some more convincing for me to jump on the bandwagon.
Kathryn – Point well taken. The bottom line is… that in the post-season anything is possible. We’ve all seen it. But in this case… I’m holding out for Sky Blue FC. I said a long time ago in a column that I’d love to see them take on L.A. in the final. We’ll see soon enough if they’ve got what it takes.
Goal.com
For more on Women’s Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com’s women’s soccer page.
Athletica finished the season off strong, ending with a 10-6-4 record (34 points). They went unbeaten in their final five matches with a 3-0-2 record. Sky Blue (7-8-5, 26 points) ended the season with a 2-2-1 record and then a 2-1 win over Washington. This will mark the fourth time the two clubs have met. Sky Blue has never won against Saint Louis. Athletica posted a 3-0-0 record against SBFC, outscoring them 4-1.
The winner will advance to face the Los Angeles Sol in the WPS Championship on Saturday, August 22nd at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Kathryn L. Knapp - So... Sky Blue FC made it to the Super Semifinal... what next? Can they get past Saint Louis? Or is Athletica too tough?
Christa Mann - Sky Blue is rolling with a lot of momentum right now. But as much as I would love to see Cinderella story come true, I think their luck runs out against the Athletica. After three regular season meetings, SBFC has yet to defeat St. Louis and has only scored one goal to the Athletica's three. If SBFC were to overcome St. Louis, what do you think it would take?
Kathryn - As we learned in the first playoff match, anything is possible in the playoffs. Sky Blue had never won against the Washington Freedom either. But a little bit of luck and a lot of heart saw them to the Super Semifinal round.
Christa - So there is a chance...the thing that hurts St. Louis is that they're coming off a tie against FC Gold Pride in the last game which is not really the momentum they were looking to have going into their first playoff game.
Kathryn - That is true. Tying the team at the bottom of the standings isn't exactly an impressive stat. But it was only 1-1... and prior to that they added their 9th and 10th shutouts. They are tough.
Christa - No not impressive at all. SBFC is on a hot streak but Saint Louis has arguably the best back line in the league.
Kathryn - Both teams like to play tight matches. They don't allow room for opponents to get away with much. I would imagine this one too will be a close match.
Christa - I agree. I could see this one ending in a 2-1 Athletica advantage to round out the four games.
Kathryn - Ehhh.... Sky Blue 1-0. That's what I'm seeing. Who will score for Saint Louis? I 'd like to see Kerri Hanks tally the game-winner for SBFC. That would be fun.
Christa – Christie Welsh or maybe even a nice finish from Amanda Cinalli or Lori Chalupny depending on the heath of the Athletica midfield.
I would like to see each of the traded players have breakout games.
Kathryn - That story would write itself.
Saint Louis and Sky Blue have both tallied 19 goals. Athletica has allowed 15 while Sky Blue has allowed 20. St. Louis 10 shutouts - Sky Blue 8. It's time for a true Cinderella team to turn the tables and make the playoffs exciting.
Christa - That makes the defense seem pretty even. But I'm convinced that SBFC's backline will get a lot more pressure and will give away too many corners. Last game pressure led to the Eniola Aluko goal. Granted, Aluko won't be there for this one, but I see Saint Louis doing a better job containing.
Kathryn - Man marking may be a bit tighter. I could see that. But someone will sneak up on Hope Solo. Perhaps an unknown...
Christa - Solo and Jenni Branam will obviously come up huge, but I almost feel like it will take one small mistake to set up the game winner.
Kathryn - So honestly... do you think either team could beat the Sol? They didn't in the regular season... although both teams played to 0-0 draws with L.A.
Christa - It could and that would really make things interesting. If somehow SBFC pulls it out, I see the Sol rolling over the New Jersey team. Or, dare I say, a really boring LA win. St. Louis has the better chance.
I'd like to see how Jorge Barcellos handles Marta on the biggest stage thus far.
Kathryn - Sky Blue isn't expected to win. And Saint Louis is expected to just breeze by... It's often the underdog that sneaks in and takes over. They say that the less pressure you’re under, the more relaxed you play and the easier it is to win.
Christa - Tensions are high so I think teams tend to have a quicker speed of play, which usually makes for a more exciting match-up. It's do or die and that pretty serious considering a chance to upset the regular season's league champs in the WPS Final.
Kathryn - That's true... do or die. This is it. This could be the last game for either team. And of course... the challenge of beating the top team in the league has to be starting a fire under someone...
Christa - So all in all, do or die, I'm going with St. Louis. Sky Blue could pull if off, but you'll need to do some more convincing for me to jump on the bandwagon.
Kathryn – Point well taken. The bottom line is… that in the post-season anything is possible. We’ve all seen it. But in this case… I’m holding out for Sky Blue FC. I said a long time ago in a column that I’d love to see them take on L.A. in the final. We’ll see soon enough if they’ve got what it takes.
Goal.com
For more on Women’s Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com’s women’s soccer page.
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