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Tuesday Throw-Ins: Freedom Defense Rises To The Challenge
Don't count the Washington Freedom out, they're just getting started.
May 19, 2009 8:37:45 PM
The Washington Freedom entered Harvard Stadium this past Sunday hoping to weather a high-powered Boston Breakers’ attack. Without the team’s star, Abby Wambach who was lost due to suspension, the Freedom collectively stepped up and provided Boston with a spirited game, one in which the Freedom consistently aggravated the Breakers’ attackers. If not for a woman-of-the-match performance from Boston defender Alex Scott, the Freedom may have left Harvard Stadium with three points.
Washington almost always had two or three defenders surround Boston forward Kelly Smith. Granted, Smith nearly scored if not for a world-class save from the Freedom’s Erin McLeod, but for large stretches of the game, Smith was effectively marked. Freedom midfielder Sonia Bompastor spoke about team defense after the game. “We worked very hard on our shape defensively,” said Bompastor. “Everyone has to defend. If we do this all year it will be okay for us.”
I believe that it will be the Freedom defense lead by goalkeeper Erin McLeod that will get the team back into the playoff picture. With some timely goals, the Freedom lead the league with 10, and solid defense, Washington could slot into the fourth playoff spot.
Quotes From The Weekend
“We have a lot of players who are just getting used to one another, the goals will come.”
-- Sol forward Marta speaking about her team’s lack of goals through seven games. The Sol has seven goals (fourth in the league), four of which are Marta’s.
“I think as a team we’ve come along away. I think it’s really difficult to start a team from scratch. You know you don’t know how players are going to gel with each other. I know off the field we got a great group and we all get along so well. It’s starting to show on the field as well. I think the quality is getting better and better every week because we’ve been around each other longer. Hopefully that continues throughout the season.”
-- FC Gold Forward and Goal.com Player of the Week Christine Sinclair talking about the team’s progress. The Pride is quietly putting together a fine season and now sit third in the table.
Stat Of Interest
The Washington Freedom leads the league in goals scored (10) and goals against (13).
The Back Four
1. On Monday, May 25, the Canadian national team will play against the U.S. national team in the first of three summer tilts between the two countries. I am paying attention to see how many fans come out to Toronto’s BMO Field. Will Toronto FC’s supporter base come out to see the action? I hope so. I hear the atmosphere can be electric there.
2. Staying with Canada, it is safe to say that Erin McLeod will be the Freedom goalkeeper for the rest of the season. Her play was very solid on Sunday.
3. Add FC Gold Pride forward Tiffany Weimer to the list of players with blogs. The blog is at the WPS Fan Corner and the insight is really fantastic. Here is an exert from the blog as she writes about competing against friends, “It’s funny sometimes because you always want your friends to do well, but at the same time you never want your team to lose- so you get caught in the middle. I find myself saying “good luck” but thinking ‘not too much luck’.” And don’t forget Goal.com has our very own player-blogger as Sky Blue FC goalkeeper Karen Bardsley writes her exclusive column every Thursday.
4. Saint Louis Athletica is back in action this weekend after another bye week. The team played with a renewed enthusiasm on May 9th after star Daniela was lost for the season. With four points from the last two games, can Athletica earn a win or a draw on the road in Chicago this weekend?
Sean Grybos, Goal.com
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com's women's soccer page.
Washington almost always had two or three defenders surround Boston forward Kelly Smith. Granted, Smith nearly scored if not for a world-class save from the Freedom’s Erin McLeod, but for large stretches of the game, Smith was effectively marked. Freedom midfielder Sonia Bompastor spoke about team defense after the game. “We worked very hard on our shape defensively,” said Bompastor. “Everyone has to defend. If we do this all year it will be okay for us.”
I believe that it will be the Freedom defense lead by goalkeeper Erin McLeod that will get the team back into the playoff picture. With some timely goals, the Freedom lead the league with 10, and solid defense, Washington could slot into the fourth playoff spot.
Quotes From The Weekend
“We have a lot of players who are just getting used to one another, the goals will come.”
-- Sol forward Marta speaking about her team’s lack of goals through seven games. The Sol has seven goals (fourth in the league), four of which are Marta’s.
“I think as a team we’ve come along away. I think it’s really difficult to start a team from scratch. You know you don’t know how players are going to gel with each other. I know off the field we got a great group and we all get along so well. It’s starting to show on the field as well. I think the quality is getting better and better every week because we’ve been around each other longer. Hopefully that continues throughout the season.”
-- FC Gold Forward and Goal.com Player of the Week Christine Sinclair talking about the team’s progress. The Pride is quietly putting together a fine season and now sit third in the table.
Stat Of Interest
The Washington Freedom leads the league in goals scored (10) and goals against (13).
The Back Four
1. On Monday, May 25, the Canadian national team will play against the U.S. national team in the first of three summer tilts between the two countries. I am paying attention to see how many fans come out to Toronto’s BMO Field. Will Toronto FC’s supporter base come out to see the action? I hope so. I hear the atmosphere can be electric there.
2. Staying with Canada, it is safe to say that Erin McLeod will be the Freedom goalkeeper for the rest of the season. Her play was very solid on Sunday.
3. Add FC Gold Pride forward Tiffany Weimer to the list of players with blogs. The blog is at the WPS Fan Corner and the insight is really fantastic. Here is an exert from the blog as she writes about competing against friends, “It’s funny sometimes because you always want your friends to do well, but at the same time you never want your team to lose- so you get caught in the middle. I find myself saying “good luck” but thinking ‘not too much luck’.” And don’t forget Goal.com has our very own player-blogger as Sky Blue FC goalkeeper Karen Bardsley writes her exclusive column every Thursday.
4. Saint Louis Athletica is back in action this weekend after another bye week. The team played with a renewed enthusiasm on May 9th after star Daniela was lost for the season. With four points from the last two games, can Athletica earn a win or a draw on the road in Chicago this weekend?
Sean Grybos, Goal.com
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com's women's soccer page.
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