Spiga

July 4, 2010

Weekend Wrap Up - Marta Dominates, Boston Finally Wins


FC Gold Pride 4, Atlanta Beat 0

Like many teams in the past few weeks, Atlanta could not stop Marta, as Gold Pride crushed the Beat 4-0.

The opening whistle had barely been blown when Marta set up Christine Sinclair for Gold Pride's first goal of the match. After FCGP worked their way quickly down the field, Hope Solo made a nice stop on a breakaway shot, but the rebound came to Marta who passed the ball to Sinclair for the finish.

Marta followed with two goals of her own, one cutting back against a defender and another in a one-on-one breakaway against Solo. Kelley O'Hara finished the scoring, easily placing the ball into the net following a cross by Sinclair.

Beat defender Kia McNeill received a red card in the 1st half for a cleats up challenge on Gold Pride keeper Nicole Barnhart. Atlanta was forced to play the 2nd half without their other central defender, Tina Ellertson, who received a blow to the face.

Gold Pride returns home where they will host Washington next Sunday. Atlanta goes on the road where they will play two key contests against the teams directly in front of them, Chicago on Wednesday and Boston on Sunday.

Boston 2, Philadelphia 1

The Breakers came from behind to defeat the Independence 2-1 on the road. It was Boston's first win since the season opener.

Amy Rodriguez scored the first goal of the match, her 7th, assisted by Lianne Sanderson. Philadelphia was able to maintain that lead through the 1st half.

Lauren Cheney scored her 2nd goal of the season to tie the match at the start of the 2nd half. Kristine Lilly then scored the game winner with just minutes to play on an assist from Kelly Smith. It was Lilly's first of the season.

Boston plays next Sunday when they will host the Atlanta Beat. Philadelphia gets next weekend off and returns to action on July 17 against FC Gold Pride.

Washington 0, Chicago 0

Despite being heavily outshot by the Red Stars, the Freedom were able to play to a scoreless draw at home before a crowd of 3,744. Erin McLeod (Washington) and Jill Loyden (Chicago) got the shutouts.

Chicago managed to get off 23 shots, 11 of which were on frame, but could not find their way past McLeod.

Washington was able to maintain their three point cushion on the Red Stars for 4th place. Both teams play twice this coming week. Washington will travel to New Jersey to face Sky Blue on Wednesday, before flying to the opposite coast to take on 1st place Gold Pride next Sunday. Chicago returns to action at Toyota Park against Atlanta on Wednesday and will then host Sky Blue on Saturday.

Standings:
1) FC Gold Pride (8-3-1, 25 pts); 2) Philadelphia (6-4-3, 21 pts); 3) Sky Blue FC (5-4-2, 17 pts); 4) Washington (4-3-4, 16 pts); 5) Chicago (3-5-4, 13 pts); 6) Boston (2-5-4, 10 pts); 7) Atlanta (1-6-3, 6 pts).

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