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Tuesday Throw-Ins: Don't Count Out Any Teams
Wins by Saint Louis and Sky Blue FC are helping to even out the Women's Professional Soccer playing field.
May 12, 2009 1:49:02 PM
Saint Louis Athletica and Sky Blue FC Are In The Win Column And In The Playoff Hunt
I admit it. I was wrong. Last week, I wrote about Sky Blue FC’s lack of goals. I didn’t think the team would find the score sheet in Chicago. The Red Stars boast one of the league’s top defenses. Chicago was rested after a bye week, and Sky Blue was on the road. That all should have added up to a Red Stars clean sheet courtesy of Sky Blue FC. Right? Wrong.
Sky Blue FC, behind goals from Sara Walsh (7’) and Natasha Kai (78’), handed the Red Stars loss number one. The victory was Sky Blue FC’s first.
Saint Louis Athletica also won this weekend after captain Lori Chalupny scored directly off a corner kick. Chalupny earned Goal.com Player of the Week honors for her efforts. The victory, also thanks in large part to Hope Solo, was Athletica’s first.
The aftermath from this weekend is simple. Every team is still in contention for one of the four playoff spots. Perhaps by June the league table will be more defined, but for now the third-place Chicago Red Stars only command a three-point advantage over the last-place Washington Freedom.
Quotes From The Weekend (Coaches Edition)
“I was very proud of the way the team played today – they played with a lot of heart and a lot of poise. We started scoring goals which is a good sign for us because we have some good goal scorers.”
-- Sky Blue FC Head Coach Ian Sawyers after the team’s win.
“I’m realizing this evening that with the bye week we lost our momentum and we’ve got to get that back.”
-- Chicago Red Stars Head Coach Emma Hayes after her team’s loss this weekend.
“The tie was a just result. We performed well today."
-- Boston Breakers Head Coach Tony DiCicco after his squad tied the Los Angeles Sol.
Stat Of Interest
The first Friday night match in WPS history will be played on May 15. Sky Blue FC travels to face the Los Angeles Sol.
The Back Four
1. I am interested to see how international duty will alter team and individual play throughout the league. Who is going to step in and fill the void when the international players are away?
2. If you are near Boston’s City Hall Plaza on Thursday afternoon several Breakers players will be attending FitKick 2009 from 2:30 - 4:30 P.M. Slated to be in attendance are midfielder Angela Hucles, defender Amy LePeilbet, and defender Kasey Moore. FitKick 2009 is part of the America SCORES national program.
3. Canadian international goalkeeper Erin McLeod is finally practicing with the Freedom after rehabbing her knee and working out visa issues. Will she see action this weekend in Boston?
4. Look for my profile of Washington Freedom defender Becky Sauerbrunn tomorrow at Goal.com, but for now, here is an exclusive bit of knowledge from her. She noted that her first pet will be an Egyptian Mali. In case you were wondering, that is a type of cat.
Sean Grybos, Goal.com
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com's Women's Soccer page.
I admit it. I was wrong. Last week, I wrote about Sky Blue FC’s lack of goals. I didn’t think the team would find the score sheet in Chicago. The Red Stars boast one of the league’s top defenses. Chicago was rested after a bye week, and Sky Blue was on the road. That all should have added up to a Red Stars clean sheet courtesy of Sky Blue FC. Right? Wrong.
Sky Blue FC, behind goals from Sara Walsh (7’) and Natasha Kai (78’), handed the Red Stars loss number one. The victory was Sky Blue FC’s first.
Saint Louis Athletica also won this weekend after captain Lori Chalupny scored directly off a corner kick. Chalupny earned Goal.com Player of the Week honors for her efforts. The victory, also thanks in large part to Hope Solo, was Athletica’s first.
The aftermath from this weekend is simple. Every team is still in contention for one of the four playoff spots. Perhaps by June the league table will be more defined, but for now the third-place Chicago Red Stars only command a three-point advantage over the last-place Washington Freedom.
Quotes From The Weekend (Coaches Edition)
“I was very proud of the way the team played today – they played with a lot of heart and a lot of poise. We started scoring goals which is a good sign for us because we have some good goal scorers.”
-- Sky Blue FC Head Coach Ian Sawyers after the team’s win.
“I’m realizing this evening that with the bye week we lost our momentum and we’ve got to get that back.”
-- Chicago Red Stars Head Coach Emma Hayes after her team’s loss this weekend.
“The tie was a just result. We performed well today."
-- Boston Breakers Head Coach Tony DiCicco after his squad tied the Los Angeles Sol.
Stat Of Interest
The first Friday night match in WPS history will be played on May 15. Sky Blue FC travels to face the Los Angeles Sol.
The Back Four
1. I am interested to see how international duty will alter team and individual play throughout the league. Who is going to step in and fill the void when the international players are away?
2. If you are near Boston’s City Hall Plaza on Thursday afternoon several Breakers players will be attending FitKick 2009 from 2:30 - 4:30 P.M. Slated to be in attendance are midfielder Angela Hucles, defender Amy LePeilbet, and defender Kasey Moore. FitKick 2009 is part of the America SCORES national program.
3. Canadian international goalkeeper Erin McLeod is finally practicing with the Freedom after rehabbing her knee and working out visa issues. Will she see action this weekend in Boston?
4. Look for my profile of Washington Freedom defender Becky Sauerbrunn tomorrow at Goal.com, but for now, here is an exclusive bit of knowledge from her. She noted that her first pet will be an Egyptian Mali. In case you were wondering, that is a type of cat.
Sean Grybos, Goal.com
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com's Women's Soccer page.
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