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WPS Previews: Week 14 Part Two
Four teams take the pitch this weekend in Women's Professional Soccer action. Los Angeles still has a commanding lead over opponents. The other top spots are still up for grabs.
Jun 26, 2009 8:07:10 PM
Women’s Professional Soccer action this weekend is down to just two games. The Los Angeles Sol hosts the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday. While Sunday Sky Blue FC hosts Saint Louis Athletica. Going into the weekend, Los Angeles (9-1-4, 31 points) has an impressive 13-point lead over no. 2 Washington (5-4-3, 18 points). The other six teams are separated by just seven points.
Los Angeles Sol vs. Chicago Red Stars, Saturday, June 27th at 1 PM ET at Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.
The Los Angeles Sol continued to roll over the competition this past week, topping FC Gold Pride 2-0 on Sunday. And then defeating Saint Louis Athletica 2-1 on Wednesday. The Sol is currently riding a nine game unbeaten streak with a record of 6-0-3. During that stretch, they’ve outscored opponents 13 to 3. Karina LeBlanc remains the top keeper in the WPS with nine shutouts and a 0.38 GAA, after allowing just five goals in 13 games.
Chicago has struggled a bit. While the team is performing well on the field, they haven’t been able to get good results. The Red Stars (2-5-5, 11 points) have gone eight matches without a win, dating back to April 25th – a 4-0 win over Boston. During that span, Chicago has posted a 0-5-3 record. The Red Stars dropped their last two matches 1-0 to Sky Blue FC and 2-0 to Boston. Chicago is sitting at the bottom of the standings and is going to have to make a push soon, if they want to compete in the post-season.
The one time these two teams met, they battled until the bitter end. Chicago’s Cristiane tallied in the 88th minute. And just when the Red Stars thought they would beat the Sol, Camille Abily buried a shot in the 90th minute to force the equalizer. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Los Angeles is practically unbeatable. But they’re a shoe-in for the playoffs. Chicago should pick up the intensity and will look to beat the Sol… even though the odds are against them. Fans who can’t make it to the game can follow the webcast live on the Sol’s website.
Sky Blue FC vs. Saint Louis Athletica, Sunday, June 28th at 6 PM ET at Yurcak Field, Piscataway, NJ
A few weeks ago both Sky Blue FC and Saint Louis Athletica were sitting at the bottom of the standings. Now, Saint Louis (4-5-2, 14 points) is in fourth place, while Sky Blue (3-5-3, 12 points) is in a two-way tie for fifth place.
Athletica has turned up the heat lately. The club lost its last two games, but only by one-goal margins. In the month of June, they’ve only allowed three goals in four games, while posting two 1-0 shutouts. Saint Louis is hungry for a run at the WPS title. Eniola Aluko has sparked the offense. She now has three goals and two assists on the season and is first on the team. Unfortunately for St. Louis – the team has only created nine goals. And two of those were scored by Daniela, who is out for the season.
Sky Blue FC hasn’t played a WPS game since Wednesday, June 17th. On that day, they visited Chicago and topped the Red Stars 1-0. They’ve had time of from WPS play, but they’ve still been active. Sky Blue has found a new attitude since Kelly Lindsey took over as interim head coach on May 23rd. Since then Sky Blue has posted a 2-2-1 record. Natasha Kai and Rosana each have two goals on the season, leading the club in scoring.
This will be the second meeting for Athletica and Sky Blue. The first time out, Athletica’s Amanda Cinalli scored the lone goal in the 15th minute to lead Saint Louis to a 1-0 win. Both Sky Blue and Athletica have shown they have heart and desire to get out of the bottom of the standings. We’ll see who brings it to the table on Sunday.
Goal.com
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com's women's soccer section.
Los Angeles Sol vs. Chicago Red Stars, Saturday, June 27th at 1 PM ET at Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.
The Los Angeles Sol continued to roll over the competition this past week, topping FC Gold Pride 2-0 on Sunday. And then defeating Saint Louis Athletica 2-1 on Wednesday. The Sol is currently riding a nine game unbeaten streak with a record of 6-0-3. During that stretch, they’ve outscored opponents 13 to 3. Karina LeBlanc remains the top keeper in the WPS with nine shutouts and a 0.38 GAA, after allowing just five goals in 13 games.
Chicago has struggled a bit. While the team is performing well on the field, they haven’t been able to get good results. The Red Stars (2-5-5, 11 points) have gone eight matches without a win, dating back to April 25th – a 4-0 win over Boston. During that span, Chicago has posted a 0-5-3 record. The Red Stars dropped their last two matches 1-0 to Sky Blue FC and 2-0 to Boston. Chicago is sitting at the bottom of the standings and is going to have to make a push soon, if they want to compete in the post-season.
The one time these two teams met, they battled until the bitter end. Chicago’s Cristiane tallied in the 88th minute. And just when the Red Stars thought they would beat the Sol, Camille Abily buried a shot in the 90th minute to force the equalizer. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Los Angeles is practically unbeatable. But they’re a shoe-in for the playoffs. Chicago should pick up the intensity and will look to beat the Sol… even though the odds are against them. Fans who can’t make it to the game can follow the webcast live on the Sol’s website.
Sky Blue FC vs. Saint Louis Athletica, Sunday, June 28th at 6 PM ET at Yurcak Field, Piscataway, NJ
A few weeks ago both Sky Blue FC and Saint Louis Athletica were sitting at the bottom of the standings. Now, Saint Louis (4-5-2, 14 points) is in fourth place, while Sky Blue (3-5-3, 12 points) is in a two-way tie for fifth place.
Athletica has turned up the heat lately. The club lost its last two games, but only by one-goal margins. In the month of June, they’ve only allowed three goals in four games, while posting two 1-0 shutouts. Saint Louis is hungry for a run at the WPS title. Eniola Aluko has sparked the offense. She now has three goals and two assists on the season and is first on the team. Unfortunately for St. Louis – the team has only created nine goals. And two of those were scored by Daniela, who is out for the season.
Sky Blue FC hasn’t played a WPS game since Wednesday, June 17th. On that day, they visited Chicago and topped the Red Stars 1-0. They’ve had time of from WPS play, but they’ve still been active. Sky Blue has found a new attitude since Kelly Lindsey took over as interim head coach on May 23rd. Since then Sky Blue has posted a 2-2-1 record. Natasha Kai and Rosana each have two goals on the season, leading the club in scoring.
This will be the second meeting for Athletica and Sky Blue. The first time out, Athletica’s Amanda Cinalli scored the lone goal in the 15th minute to lead Saint Louis to a 1-0 win. Both Sky Blue and Athletica have shown they have heart and desire to get out of the bottom of the standings. We’ll see who brings it to the table on Sunday.
Goal.com
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com's women's soccer section.
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