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Knapp Notes: Rain Or Shine, The WPS Crowds Are Showing Up
After four weeks of Women's Professional Soccer action, all seven teams have their own stories. An average of 6,000 fans per game continue to come back for more.
Apr 23, 2009 9:38:59 PM
Week five of Women’s Professional Soccer action is here. Two shutouts and a Boston blowout made up last weekend’s play. Los Angeles continues to climb up the ladder. Boston’s showed they’re the real deal. And the other five teams are still sorting everything out. But lucky for everyone, the fans are coming out in good numbers. The games are averaging just over 6,000 people per game. Last weekend 16,175 fans made it out to games… despite whatever the weather may have been like.
STILL PERFECT
After playing three games, the Los Angeles Sol sits at the top of the WPS table. Not only does the Sol own a 3-0-0 record, but Los Angeles has outscored opponents five to zero. Sol and goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc have yet to allow a goal. LeBlanc is perfect in goal, making 14 saves on 14 shots on goal. Marta leads the attack with three goals. The Sol is tough, but will they continue to keep rolling?
SECOND PLACE
The Boston Breakers (2-1-0) won their second straight match last weekend by an impressive 3-1 score. Boston’s offense has come together for six goals in three games. And most of it has come in the last two games. Since the Breakers fell 2-1 in the opener, they’ve posted 2-0 and 3-1 wins. Goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill came up huge for Boston last weekend with a penalty kick stop. All in all, she’s allowed three goals this season, with one shutout. The Breakers are heading into Chicago fully charged.
STILL UNDEFEATED
The Chicago Red Stars (1-0-2) earned a 0-0 draw last weekend, the first in WPS history. Goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson has been huge for Chicago, making 20 saves while conceding just one goal. Defensively they’ve been pretty solid. But offense is another issue. While the Red Stars are undefeated, they’re struggling to find the net. Lindsay Tarpley has led the attack for Chicago with two goals. It’s time for the club to start finding the net a bit more. Hopefully a long home stretch will help them do just that.
EVEN AT ONE
FC Gold Pride has evened out at 1-1-1. A 1-0 loss to Los Angeles last weekend was a first for the Bay Area club. Play has been relatively equal, with the club both scoring and allowing three goals. Three players have tallied goals, while Nicole Barnhart has been strong in goal with 18 saves. FCGP has offensive power, expect them to push forward at any time.
NO WINS YET
Three teams are still searching for the magical win. Sky Blue FC, Washington Freedom and St. Louis Athletica have yet to win a game. Sky Blue FC sits among the best of the bottom three with a 0-1-2 record. They’ll sit out this weekend while the other two teams search for a win. Washington (0-2-1) has scored the most of the bottom three with two goals. Athletica (0-2-0) has struggled from A to Z. The club hasn’t been completely killed in any matches, but has yet to score a goal or earn a point. But then again, they’ve only played two games.
HEY BOSTON AND CHICAGO… HOW ABOUT SOME GOALS?
As a reporter, there’s nothing more exhilarating than writing about a 0-0 draw or a 1-0 victory. But those seem to be the only WPS games I’m getting these days. With games all across the country and excitement – I get zero goals. So this weekend I’m calling out the Chicago Red Stars or Boston Breakers. I’ll be there Saturday. It’s time to write about some goals.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve watched exciting 0-0 draws. And last weekend’s game was no exception. Both Chicago and Sky Blue FC battled until the final seconds. But come on – I know both teams have the goal-scoring power. I’m ready to see some goals. And I’m sure I’m not the only one.
Kathryn L. Knapp, Goal.com
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com's Women's Soccer page.
STILL PERFECT
After playing three games, the Los Angeles Sol sits at the top of the WPS table. Not only does the Sol own a 3-0-0 record, but Los Angeles has outscored opponents five to zero. Sol and goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc have yet to allow a goal. LeBlanc is perfect in goal, making 14 saves on 14 shots on goal. Marta leads the attack with three goals. The Sol is tough, but will they continue to keep rolling?
SECOND PLACE
The Boston Breakers (2-1-0) won their second straight match last weekend by an impressive 3-1 score. Boston’s offense has come together for six goals in three games. And most of it has come in the last two games. Since the Breakers fell 2-1 in the opener, they’ve posted 2-0 and 3-1 wins. Goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill came up huge for Boston last weekend with a penalty kick stop. All in all, she’s allowed three goals this season, with one shutout. The Breakers are heading into Chicago fully charged.
STILL UNDEFEATED
The Chicago Red Stars (1-0-2) earned a 0-0 draw last weekend, the first in WPS history. Goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson has been huge for Chicago, making 20 saves while conceding just one goal. Defensively they’ve been pretty solid. But offense is another issue. While the Red Stars are undefeated, they’re struggling to find the net. Lindsay Tarpley has led the attack for Chicago with two goals. It’s time for the club to start finding the net a bit more. Hopefully a long home stretch will help them do just that.
EVEN AT ONE
FC Gold Pride has evened out at 1-1-1. A 1-0 loss to Los Angeles last weekend was a first for the Bay Area club. Play has been relatively equal, with the club both scoring and allowing three goals. Three players have tallied goals, while Nicole Barnhart has been strong in goal with 18 saves. FCGP has offensive power, expect them to push forward at any time.
NO WINS YET
Three teams are still searching for the magical win. Sky Blue FC, Washington Freedom and St. Louis Athletica have yet to win a game. Sky Blue FC sits among the best of the bottom three with a 0-1-2 record. They’ll sit out this weekend while the other two teams search for a win. Washington (0-2-1) has scored the most of the bottom three with two goals. Athletica (0-2-0) has struggled from A to Z. The club hasn’t been completely killed in any matches, but has yet to score a goal or earn a point. But then again, they’ve only played two games.
HEY BOSTON AND CHICAGO… HOW ABOUT SOME GOALS?
As a reporter, there’s nothing more exhilarating than writing about a 0-0 draw or a 1-0 victory. But those seem to be the only WPS games I’m getting these days. With games all across the country and excitement – I get zero goals. So this weekend I’m calling out the Chicago Red Stars or Boston Breakers. I’ll be there Saturday. It’s time to write about some goals.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve watched exciting 0-0 draws. And last weekend’s game was no exception. Both Chicago and Sky Blue FC battled until the final seconds. But come on – I know both teams have the goal-scoring power. I’m ready to see some goals. And I’m sure I’m not the only one.
Kathryn L. Knapp, Goal.com
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com's Women's Soccer page.
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