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Knapp Notes: Three Undefeated WPS Teams Head Into Week Four
After three weeks, Los Angeles, Chicago and FC Gold Pride have yet to lose. Three other teams have yet to win. Week four will be a new adventure.
Apr 16, 2009 9:32:54 PM
With one week off, the Los Angeles Sol was bumped from the top of the WPS leaderboard. Well that’s not exactly true. Sure the Sol is undefeated with a 2-0-0 record. But they’re not alone at the top of the league, or at least they’re not the only undefeated team. And honestly, the most any team has played is well… two games. So while we’re entering week four, there have only been seven games so far.
UNDEFEATED
Los Angeles leads the pack with a 2-0-0 record. They’ve outscored opponents four to zero. But while they had a week off from the action, two other teams earned undefeated marks. The Chicago Red Stars (1-0-1) earned a 1-1 draw with the Washington Freedom to keep their loss column clean. FC Gold Pride (1-0-1) is also rather impressive. The club earned a 2-1 win over Boston in its debut, and a 1-1 draw vs. Sky Blue FC to remain undefeated.
BOUNCING BACK
Boston won its first match last weekend, which was the only win of three WPS games. The Breakers topped Saint Louis Athletica by a 2-0 margin. Kelly Smith lead the attack with a goal and an assist, earning league and Goal.com honors for her performance. Can Boston rekindle the magic this week? With Smith and a roster full of talent, how can they not?
LOOKING FOR A WIN
The Washington Freedom and Sky Blue FC have each tallied a point after ending games in 1-1 draws. But neither team has earned a win, posting 0-1-1 records. Saint Louis Athletica has yet to earn any points with a 0-2-0 record. All three teams have allowed three goals total. Athletica has yet to find the net. Saint Louis has the bye this week, so they’ll have time to adjust their game. Washington and Sky Blue however, will need to turn up the heat.
WHO’S THE BEST?
Every team has its superstar. But for now… three ladies are leading the pack when it comes to scoring goals. Marta had the distinction after the second week with two goals, which she scored three minutes a part. But now, there’s a three way tie for goals scored. Chicago’s Lindsay Tarpley has tallied one goal in each of the Red Stars' games for a total of two. Boston’s Kelly Smith has done the same, plus added an assist. The trio gives at least three teams something to look forward to. But don’t forget, we’re just entering week four. There are many goals to be scored. Someone is bound to break away from the pack.
SEEING RED
Chicago Red Stars captain and defender Frida Ostberg went down in the record books last weekend, but most likely not the way she wanted to. Ostberg was given a red card after receiving two yellow cards in the 54th and 63rd minutes. The Red Stars players kept their heads in the game to earn the draw. But Ostberg goes down in the books as the first WPS player to receive a red card. She’ll miss the club’s home opener this Sunday.
A LOOK BACK…AND AHEAD
With the first seven games completed, six teams will take the field this week. Last weekend didn’t provide too much entertainment with a 2-0 win and two 1-1 draws. But the league is young and the teams can only improve from here. The fans must be seeing something they like though. 44,217 people have come out to the first seven WPS games. Six thousand plus fans a game is a good start for a new league.
Expect some more goals in week four. And perhaps… a few new players on the field. It may be time for some coaches to spice things up with a few changes. There’s nothing that gets a player motivated more than the fear of losing their starting gig. Either way week four is bound to be another weekend of firsts.
- Kathryn L. Knapp, Goal.com
For more on the WPS, click on Goal.com's Women's Soccer page.
UNDEFEATED
Los Angeles leads the pack with a 2-0-0 record. They’ve outscored opponents four to zero. But while they had a week off from the action, two other teams earned undefeated marks. The Chicago Red Stars (1-0-1) earned a 1-1 draw with the Washington Freedom to keep their loss column clean. FC Gold Pride (1-0-1) is also rather impressive. The club earned a 2-1 win over Boston in its debut, and a 1-1 draw vs. Sky Blue FC to remain undefeated.
BOUNCING BACK
Boston won its first match last weekend, which was the only win of three WPS games. The Breakers topped Saint Louis Athletica by a 2-0 margin. Kelly Smith lead the attack with a goal and an assist, earning league and Goal.com honors for her performance. Can Boston rekindle the magic this week? With Smith and a roster full of talent, how can they not?
LOOKING FOR A WIN
The Washington Freedom and Sky Blue FC have each tallied a point after ending games in 1-1 draws. But neither team has earned a win, posting 0-1-1 records. Saint Louis Athletica has yet to earn any points with a 0-2-0 record. All three teams have allowed three goals total. Athletica has yet to find the net. Saint Louis has the bye this week, so they’ll have time to adjust their game. Washington and Sky Blue however, will need to turn up the heat.
WHO’S THE BEST?
Every team has its superstar. But for now… three ladies are leading the pack when it comes to scoring goals. Marta had the distinction after the second week with two goals, which she scored three minutes a part. But now, there’s a three way tie for goals scored. Chicago’s Lindsay Tarpley has tallied one goal in each of the Red Stars' games for a total of two. Boston’s Kelly Smith has done the same, plus added an assist. The trio gives at least three teams something to look forward to. But don’t forget, we’re just entering week four. There are many goals to be scored. Someone is bound to break away from the pack.
SEEING RED
Chicago Red Stars captain and defender Frida Ostberg went down in the record books last weekend, but most likely not the way she wanted to. Ostberg was given a red card after receiving two yellow cards in the 54th and 63rd minutes. The Red Stars players kept their heads in the game to earn the draw. But Ostberg goes down in the books as the first WPS player to receive a red card. She’ll miss the club’s home opener this Sunday.
A LOOK BACK…AND AHEAD
With the first seven games completed, six teams will take the field this week. Last weekend didn’t provide too much entertainment with a 2-0 win and two 1-1 draws. But the league is young and the teams can only improve from here. The fans must be seeing something they like though. 44,217 people have come out to the first seven WPS games. Six thousand plus fans a game is a good start for a new league.
Expect some more goals in week four. And perhaps… a few new players on the field. It may be time for some coaches to spice things up with a few changes. There’s nothing that gets a player motivated more than the fear of losing their starting gig. Either way week four is bound to be another weekend of firsts.
- Kathryn L. Knapp, Goal.com
For more on the WPS, click on Goal.com's Women's Soccer page.
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