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WPS Previews: Week Seven
Chicago returns to action this week. The Red Stars will host games along with Saint Louis Athletica and the Boston Breakers. Two teams are still winless. While the top three teams look to continue their dominance.
May 8, 2009 9:58:05 PM
Week seven is underway. The last two weeks have been full of goals for six WPS teams. Los Angeles Sol will look to get back into the win column. Saint Louis Athletica and Sky Blue FC have yet to earn wins. The Washington Freedom are sitting out this week.
Saint Louis Athletica vs. FC Gold Pride, Korte Stadium, Edwardsville, Ill., Saturday 8:00 p.m. ET
Saint Louis Athletica (0-2-2) is still winless. But last weekend, the ladies finally found the net after 276 scoreless minutes in a 3-3 draw against the Washington Freedom. Althletica took a big blow this week however. Leading scorer Daniela is out with two injured knee ligaments and a tibia fracture, sidelining her indefinitely. Saint Louis will restructure its attack for Saturday’s match. Athletica added forward Christie Welsh and defender Kendall Fletcher to its roster.
Daniela was a bit part of Athletica’s recent success. But out of 16, she took a team-high 15. Ten other players combined for 46 shots, including 13 on goal leaving Saint Louis’ offensive options wide open. Defensively Saint Louis has been relatively strong. Goalkeeper Hope Solo has made 18 saves on the season, while allowing just six goals.
FC Gold Pride (2-2-1) is fresh off a 1-0 win over Sky Blue FC. Leigh Ann Robinson led the attack for FCGP, netting an 86th minute goal for the win. Six players have combined for seven goals in five games. Tiffeny Milbrett has a team-high two goals on the season.
Defensively Nicole Barnhart has stood strong in goal for FCGP. She’s faced 27 shots on goal, made 18 saves and allowed seven goals. The defense has limited opponents to 55 shots. FC Gold Pride is sitting in the middle of the standings with a relatively even record.
Saint Louis will look to build on its momentum from last week. FC Gold Pride will also attempt to pickup where they left off. Expect the first WPS match of the weekend to be an intense one.
Los Angeles Sol vs. Boston Breakers, Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif., Sunday 4:00 p.m. ET
The top two teams in WPS face off in Sunday’s first game. Los Angeles (3-1-1) dropped its first decision this past weekend a 2-1 loss courtesy of the Boston Breakers (3-2-0). The teams will switch coasts this weekend for a rematch. The Sol remain first in the league, but just by one point.
In five games it’s fair to say the Sol have dominated competition. Four players have tallied six goals for Los Angeles. Marta leads the attack with three goals and one assist. All-in-all the club has forced opponents to deal with 21 shots on goal. Aya Miyami leads the club with 13 shots, three on goal. She should break through at any time.
And defensively goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc has been nearly flawless. She earned four straight clean sheets prior to the club’s 2-1 loss last weekend. The first two goals snapped the 361-scoreless minute streak that Los Angeles was riding on. LeBlanc has made 22 saves out of 24 shots on goal.
Boston dropped a 4-0 decision to Chicago a week before stopping the Sol’s undefeated streak. Last week they regained their confidence. Kelly Smith and Kristine Lilly led the Breakers’ attack. Smith currently leads the league with four goals on the season. Christine Latham and Angela Hucles have also added goals this season. Smith leads the attack, but has plenty of reinforcements.
Defensively Boston is led by goalkeeper Krisitin Luckenbill. In five games, she’s allowed eight goals while making 16 saves. Allison Lipsher played 28 minutes against the Chicago Red Stars, making two saves.
Expect the Sol to return home and play their hearts out. Boston gave Los Angeles a reality check last week, handing them their first loss. But don’t be surprised if the Sol come back stronger than ever. Although the Breakers can be just as tough. It will be a hard fought contest.
Chicago Red Stars vs. Sky Blue FC, Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Ill., Sunday 6:00 p.m. ET
The Red Stars (2-0-2) took last weekend off after dismantling the Boston Breakers 4-0. Chicago was clicking on all offensive cylinders in its last match. The offense has taken 54 shots, with 22 shots on goal. Lindsay Tarpley leads the goal-scorers with two. But four other players have also tallied goals for a six-goal total.
Defensively the Red Stars may be the best team in the league. Goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson has made 23 saves out of 24 shots on goal. She’s allowed just one goal – April 11th in a 1-1 draw with the Washington Freedom. The last time out the defense shutdown all of Boston’s offensive threats. Jonsson hand company have three clean sheets on the season.
Sky Blue FC (0-2-2) is struggling to find the net, as well as win a game. The club has tallied one lone goal in four matches. Going up against a hot Chicago team may be a bit much for them. But don’t let the statistics fool you. Sky Blue FC is one the most talented offensive squads in the league. The players have combined for 48 shots, including 23 on goal. They’ve just struggled a bit in the final third.
Defensively goalkeepers Jenni Branam and Karen Bardsley have allowed just four goals. The defense has limited opponents to 48 shots, including 18 on goal. And the goalkeepers have made 12 saves – nine for Branam and three for Bardsley.
Can Chicago pick up where they left off after an offensive explosion against Boston? Chances are good that they’ll be hungry to win another match. Sky Blue FC has struggled. They’re due for a few goals and a win. Sunday’s final match is a must-see game.
Goal.com
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, got to Goal.com's women's soccer page.
Saint Louis Athletica vs. FC Gold Pride, Korte Stadium, Edwardsville, Ill., Saturday 8:00 p.m. ET
Saint Louis Athletica (0-2-2) is still winless. But last weekend, the ladies finally found the net after 276 scoreless minutes in a 3-3 draw against the Washington Freedom. Althletica took a big blow this week however. Leading scorer Daniela is out with two injured knee ligaments and a tibia fracture, sidelining her indefinitely. Saint Louis will restructure its attack for Saturday’s match. Athletica added forward Christie Welsh and defender Kendall Fletcher to its roster.
Daniela was a bit part of Athletica’s recent success. But out of 16, she took a team-high 15. Ten other players combined for 46 shots, including 13 on goal leaving Saint Louis’ offensive options wide open. Defensively Saint Louis has been relatively strong. Goalkeeper Hope Solo has made 18 saves on the season, while allowing just six goals.
FC Gold Pride (2-2-1) is fresh off a 1-0 win over Sky Blue FC. Leigh Ann Robinson led the attack for FCGP, netting an 86th minute goal for the win. Six players have combined for seven goals in five games. Tiffeny Milbrett has a team-high two goals on the season.
Defensively Nicole Barnhart has stood strong in goal for FCGP. She’s faced 27 shots on goal, made 18 saves and allowed seven goals. The defense has limited opponents to 55 shots. FC Gold Pride is sitting in the middle of the standings with a relatively even record.
Saint Louis will look to build on its momentum from last week. FC Gold Pride will also attempt to pickup where they left off. Expect the first WPS match of the weekend to be an intense one.
Los Angeles Sol vs. Boston Breakers, Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif., Sunday 4:00 p.m. ET
The top two teams in WPS face off in Sunday’s first game. Los Angeles (3-1-1) dropped its first decision this past weekend a 2-1 loss courtesy of the Boston Breakers (3-2-0). The teams will switch coasts this weekend for a rematch. The Sol remain first in the league, but just by one point.
In five games it’s fair to say the Sol have dominated competition. Four players have tallied six goals for Los Angeles. Marta leads the attack with three goals and one assist. All-in-all the club has forced opponents to deal with 21 shots on goal. Aya Miyami leads the club with 13 shots, three on goal. She should break through at any time.
And defensively goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc has been nearly flawless. She earned four straight clean sheets prior to the club’s 2-1 loss last weekend. The first two goals snapped the 361-scoreless minute streak that Los Angeles was riding on. LeBlanc has made 22 saves out of 24 shots on goal.
Boston dropped a 4-0 decision to Chicago a week before stopping the Sol’s undefeated streak. Last week they regained their confidence. Kelly Smith and Kristine Lilly led the Breakers’ attack. Smith currently leads the league with four goals on the season. Christine Latham and Angela Hucles have also added goals this season. Smith leads the attack, but has plenty of reinforcements.
Defensively Boston is led by goalkeeper Krisitin Luckenbill. In five games, she’s allowed eight goals while making 16 saves. Allison Lipsher played 28 minutes against the Chicago Red Stars, making two saves.
Expect the Sol to return home and play their hearts out. Boston gave Los Angeles a reality check last week, handing them their first loss. But don’t be surprised if the Sol come back stronger than ever. Although the Breakers can be just as tough. It will be a hard fought contest.
Chicago Red Stars vs. Sky Blue FC, Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Ill., Sunday 6:00 p.m. ET
The Red Stars (2-0-2) took last weekend off after dismantling the Boston Breakers 4-0. Chicago was clicking on all offensive cylinders in its last match. The offense has taken 54 shots, with 22 shots on goal. Lindsay Tarpley leads the goal-scorers with two. But four other players have also tallied goals for a six-goal total.
Defensively the Red Stars may be the best team in the league. Goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson has made 23 saves out of 24 shots on goal. She’s allowed just one goal – April 11th in a 1-1 draw with the Washington Freedom. The last time out the defense shutdown all of Boston’s offensive threats. Jonsson hand company have three clean sheets on the season.
Sky Blue FC (0-2-2) is struggling to find the net, as well as win a game. The club has tallied one lone goal in four matches. Going up against a hot Chicago team may be a bit much for them. But don’t let the statistics fool you. Sky Blue FC is one the most talented offensive squads in the league. The players have combined for 48 shots, including 23 on goal. They’ve just struggled a bit in the final third.
Defensively goalkeepers Jenni Branam and Karen Bardsley have allowed just four goals. The defense has limited opponents to 48 shots, including 18 on goal. And the goalkeepers have made 12 saves – nine for Branam and three for Bardsley.
Can Chicago pick up where they left off after an offensive explosion against Boston? Chances are good that they’ll be hungry to win another match. Sky Blue FC has struggled. They’re due for a few goals and a win. Sunday’s final match is a must-see game.
Goal.com
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, got to Goal.com's women's soccer page.
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