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Sinclair Sparks FC Gold Pride to 1-0 Win
An early goal by FC Gold Pride set the tone in Saturday's match. Despite a number of offensive chances for the Chicago Red Stars, the visitors walked away with a win.
May 17, 2009 12:09:52 AM
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – FC Gold Pride earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday evening. Despite a number of quality chances for both sides, one goal proved to be enough. Chicago falls to 2-2-2 on the season, while FC Gold Pride improves to 3-3-1.
“It was crucial for us to score in the first half,” FC Gold Pride head coach Albertin Montoya said. “We wanted to apply pressure when wee had the wind at our backs. And then second half we were going to work on countering. Defensively we held strong against an excellent offensive squad.”
Chicago dropped its second straight decision via shutout.
“In the first half our attacking play was exciting,” Red Stars head coach Emma Hayes said. “Christiane proved her worth. And we continued to press. At the end of the day, we didn’t score a goal.”
First Half
FC Gold Pride didn’t waste much time getting started. Forward Adriane sent a shot at goal in just the second minute. Chicago goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson grabbed it for the save.
In the 21st minute, Red Stars midfielder Megan Rapinoe settled the ball in front of the gal and buried it into the upper right corner of the net. The play was ruled offside. Red Stars forward Christiane had a decent shot eight minutes later, when she sent a slow low ball toward goal. Gold Pride goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart dove a little to the left and grabbed it for the save.
On the counterattack, FC Gold Pride stole a goal. An Adriane cross landed in the box. Red Stars goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson couldn’t quite get control of it. After some confusion in the box, Gold Pride forward Christine Sinclair dribbled the loose ball right into the net for a 1-0 lead.
“Adriane had a great run and got a good cross on it,” Sinclair said. “Tiffeny [Milbrett] forced the keeper to make a save. It popped out. I think I literally dribbled the ball into the net. It was huge for us to get a goal in the first half.”
Jonsson said the ball just got away form her.
“They were driving on our left side,” Jonsson said. “I got one hand on it. I don’t even know how Chrisitne got to the place where she was on the field. But she had an open goal to score in.”
Chicago forward Lindsay Tarpley took a shot in the 34th minute, sending the ball into the left outside netting. Christiane was called offsides in the 37th minute, again slowing down Chicago’s attack.
Gold Pride’s Sinclair lined up for a freekick opportunity in the 43rd minute. Sinclair blasted the ball off the cross bar and over for a Chicago goal kick.
Chicago took just two legitimate shots in the first half, while FC Gold Pride tallied six. Jonsson recorded two saves, while Barnhart made one.
Second half
FCGP’s Adriane attempted to spark the offense in the 52nd minute, but soared a high ball out.
In the 60th minute the Red Stars had a bit of a scare. Defender Marian Dalmy went down on the pitch. She was helped of the field and replaced by Chima Igwe. Dalmy left the game with some cramping, but nothing severe.
Midfielder Karen Carney blasted an attempt toward goal in the 67th minute for Chicago. Barnhart made the save. Gold Pride took control and sent the ball toward the other goal. FCGP defender Kandace Wilson rocketed the shot toward goal. Jonsson grabbed it for the save.
One minute later, Rapinoe headed the ball into the outside netting. Chicago attempted to make things happen, but fell short.
FCGP kept pushing as well. The club brought on Eriko Arakawa for some extra offense. In the 78th minute Sinclair rolled a weak shot toward goal. Jonsson scooped it up for the save.
The Red Stars brought on some fresh legs in the 79th minute, with forward Ella Massar replacing Tarpley. Carney rocketed a shot toward goal in the 83rd minute. Barnhart jumped up and grabbed it with both hands for the save.
With time winding down Carney crossed into the box. Chicago midfielder Carli Lloyd slid and sent the ball wide right in the 88th minute.
Rapione said the team will just pick up where it left off next week.
“We prepare the same every week,” Rapinoe said. “We’ll definitely be hungry for a goal. This is one of the most competitive teams I’ve ever played on.”
Kathryn L. Knapp, Goal.com
For more on Women’s Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com’s women’s soccer page.
“It was crucial for us to score in the first half,” FC Gold Pride head coach Albertin Montoya said. “We wanted to apply pressure when wee had the wind at our backs. And then second half we were going to work on countering. Defensively we held strong against an excellent offensive squad.”
Chicago dropped its second straight decision via shutout.
“In the first half our attacking play was exciting,” Red Stars head coach Emma Hayes said. “Christiane proved her worth. And we continued to press. At the end of the day, we didn’t score a goal.”
First Half
FC Gold Pride didn’t waste much time getting started. Forward Adriane sent a shot at goal in just the second minute. Chicago goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson grabbed it for the save.
In the 21st minute, Red Stars midfielder Megan Rapinoe settled the ball in front of the gal and buried it into the upper right corner of the net. The play was ruled offside. Red Stars forward Christiane had a decent shot eight minutes later, when she sent a slow low ball toward goal. Gold Pride goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart dove a little to the left and grabbed it for the save.
On the counterattack, FC Gold Pride stole a goal. An Adriane cross landed in the box. Red Stars goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson couldn’t quite get control of it. After some confusion in the box, Gold Pride forward Christine Sinclair dribbled the loose ball right into the net for a 1-0 lead.
“Adriane had a great run and got a good cross on it,” Sinclair said. “Tiffeny [Milbrett] forced the keeper to make a save. It popped out. I think I literally dribbled the ball into the net. It was huge for us to get a goal in the first half.”
Jonsson said the ball just got away form her.
“They were driving on our left side,” Jonsson said. “I got one hand on it. I don’t even know how Chrisitne got to the place where she was on the field. But she had an open goal to score in.”
Chicago forward Lindsay Tarpley took a shot in the 34th minute, sending the ball into the left outside netting. Christiane was called offsides in the 37th minute, again slowing down Chicago’s attack.
Gold Pride’s Sinclair lined up for a freekick opportunity in the 43rd minute. Sinclair blasted the ball off the cross bar and over for a Chicago goal kick.
Chicago took just two legitimate shots in the first half, while FC Gold Pride tallied six. Jonsson recorded two saves, while Barnhart made one.
Second half
FCGP’s Adriane attempted to spark the offense in the 52nd minute, but soared a high ball out.
In the 60th minute the Red Stars had a bit of a scare. Defender Marian Dalmy went down on the pitch. She was helped of the field and replaced by Chima Igwe. Dalmy left the game with some cramping, but nothing severe.
Midfielder Karen Carney blasted an attempt toward goal in the 67th minute for Chicago. Barnhart made the save. Gold Pride took control and sent the ball toward the other goal. FCGP defender Kandace Wilson rocketed the shot toward goal. Jonsson grabbed it for the save.
One minute later, Rapinoe headed the ball into the outside netting. Chicago attempted to make things happen, but fell short.
FCGP kept pushing as well. The club brought on Eriko Arakawa for some extra offense. In the 78th minute Sinclair rolled a weak shot toward goal. Jonsson scooped it up for the save.
The Red Stars brought on some fresh legs in the 79th minute, with forward Ella Massar replacing Tarpley. Carney rocketed a shot toward goal in the 83rd minute. Barnhart jumped up and grabbed it with both hands for the save.
With time winding down Carney crossed into the box. Chicago midfielder Carli Lloyd slid and sent the ball wide right in the 88th minute.
Rapione said the team will just pick up where it left off next week.
“We prepare the same every week,” Rapinoe said. “We’ll definitely be hungry for a goal. This is one of the most competitive teams I’ve ever played on.”
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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