Spiga

August 22, 2010

FC Gold Pride Clinches Regular Season Title



Marta battles Katie Chapman and Lydia Vandenbergh for the ball in 1st half action. Marta scored two goals, including the game winner on a penalty kick, giving her 15 goals on the season. The match was played before over 6,000 fans at Toyota Park.
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It didn't come easy, but FC Gold Pride sewed up the WPS regular season title with a 3-2 win over the Chicago Red Stars. The victory completes a worst to first story for Gold Pride, who will now host the WPS Championship presented by Citi on September 26.
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The match was very competitive from the onset, with Gold Pride striking first. In the 8th minute, Rachel Buehler sent a long ball up the left side that speedy Ali Riley was able to run onto. Riley then dribbled straight at goalkeeper Jill Loyden, before touching a centering pass to a charging Marta who knocked it home. It was Gold Pride's first goal in four matches.
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Chicago equalized in the 18th minute. Formiga sent a ball to the left wing to Casey Nogueira, who crossed the ball into the six yard box. On what was a 50-50 ball, FCGP keeper Nicole Barnhart and Red Star striker Ella Masar collided with Masar knocking the ball just behind Barnhart and barely over the line for a goal.
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Gold Pride answered before the break on a corner kick. Tiffeny Milbrett's corner from the left side found Buehler in the box, who flicked a header between Loyden and a Chicago defender and into the goal to make it 2-1. It was Buehler's first goal of the season.
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Ella Masar brought the game even again in the 2nd half on a play that started with a fine effort by Formiga. The Brazilian midfielder stepped in front of a clearing pass and played the ball through to Marian Dalmy on the right side of the box. Dalmy was able to cross it perfectly to Masar, who was unmarked in front of the net. For Masar, it was her 8th goal this season.
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Just seconds afterward, Christine Sinclair broke in one-on-one against Loyden. Sinclair was able to dribble past Loyden, but defender Lydia Vandenbergh hustled back to block Sinclair's shot and save a goal.
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Fate would not be kind to the Red Stars on this day, however, as a penalty was called in the 78th minute. Rachel Buehler sent a free kick into the box for Gold Pride, with both Carrie Dew and Natalie Spilger going up to head the ball. Both missed the header, but the ball hit Spilger's outstretched arm after it passed over their heads at the very edge of the box. Marta easily buried the penalty, which turned out to be the winning goal.
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The combination of Gold Pride's victory and Philadelphia's loss gives FCGP a nine point lead and since Gold Pride has clinched the tiebreaker over the Independence, it means Gold Pride has won the regular season title. They are now 13-3-4 with 43 points. They will travel to Atlanta next week to play the Beat.
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Meanwhile, the loss has all but eliminated the Red Stars from playoff contention. The Red Stars now trail Washington and New Jersey by four points with just two games remaining. Sky Blue and the Freedom will play each other next weekend, meaning at least one if not both, will get additional points. Chicago is now 5-11-6 with 21 points.
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Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the class and hospitality that the Red Star organization has shown yours truly in my three trips to Toyota Park this season. My thanks to the Red Star organization and their fans for all they have done.
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Sky Blue FC 1, Philadelphia 0
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For the first time this year, Sky Blue was able to solve the Independence, winning a crucial match 1-0. The victory enabled Sky Blue to keep pace with the Washington Freedom in the battle for 4th place. Philadelphia was unable to take advantage of the opportunity to secure a playoff berth and must wait one more week.
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After a scoreless first half, which was temporarily halted by a rather lengthy rain delay, Sky Blue was able to get the game's only goal in the 68th minute. Yael Averbuch buried a Heather O'Reilly pass for her first goal of the season. Jen Branam recorded the shutout for Sky Blue.
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The victory puts Sky Blue at 7-9-4, tied with the Freedom at 25 points. The two teams will meet in Maryland next Saturday. Philadelphia dropped to 10-7-4, good for 34 points, still good for 2nd place. They will host Boston next Sunday.
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Standings:
1) FC Gold Pride (13-3-4, 43 pts); 2) Philadelphia (10-7-4, 34 pts); 3) Boston (8-7-5, 29 pts); 4) Sky Blue FC (7-9-4, 25 pts); 4) Washington (6-8-7, 25 pts); 6) Chicago (5-11-6, 21 pts); 7) Atlanta (5-10-5, 20 pts).

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