magicJack at Philadelphia

magicJack at Philadelphia Independence (7 pm eastern, Saturday)
Widener University, Chester, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Independence (3-2-3)
Coach: Paul Riley
Roster:
Goalkeepers: V. Henderson, R. Jones.
Defenders: K. McNeill, N. Krzysik, H. Magnusdottir, E. Johnson, L. Robinson, L. Barnes.
Midfielders: J. Buczkowski, C. DiMartino, S. Farrelly, J. Lohman.
Forwards: T. Kai, V. Boquete, L. Sanderson, L. del Rio, D. Adams, G. DiMartino.
Not active: N. Barnhart, L. Lindsey, M. Rapinoe, A. Rodriguez, A. Falk, L. Fowlkes.

magicJack (5-2-0)
Roster:
Goalkeepers: B. Maron, S. Myers.
Defenders: T. Ellertson, N. Marshall, M. Dalmy, M. Schnur, L. Vandenbergh.
Midfielders: S. Huffman, N. Washington, O. Davis, A. DaCosta.
Forwards: E. Masar, C. Press, J. Rasmussen, R. Moros, A. Gunning.
Not active: H. Solo, J. Loyden, C. Rampone, B. Sauerbrunn, S. Boxx, S. Schmidt, L. De Vanna, A. Wambach, L. Tarpley (injury).

With magicJack missing a wopping eight players to national team duty, they will be extremely shorthanded for this match in Philadelphia. The Independence will be missing four players as well.

This match is a battle for second place and considering the two will meet again next weekend in a makeup game, the next two weeks could determine a lot for where these teams will finish. In fact, magicJack might be thinking about first place, since two wins would move them into a tie with Western New York.

While Abby Wambach will be gone, the magicJack offense still has Ella Masar and Christen Press, each of whom has three goals this season. Johanna Rasmussen played a very good match last time out and is excellent at distributing the ball.

Defensively, Tina Ellertson is having a very good season at center back. Whether or not magicJack will attempt to go three in back against Philadelphia is the question. That could be a very dangerous proposition for magicJack's back line. Brett Maron will likely be in goal for magicJack.

Veronica Boquete played some very good minutes for the Independence last weekend and she will help ease the loss of Amy Rodriguez to the USWNT. Pairing with Tasha Kai, they form a speedy duo that should menace magicJack's defense. Lianne Sanderson has played well and her three assists lead the team.

The midfield is in the hands of three veterans, Jen Buczkowski, Tina DiMartino, and Joanna Lohman, as well as first round draft pick Sinead Farrelly. Frida Magnusdottir is sort of the wild card for Philadelphia, playing anywhere on the field depending on the lineup coach Paul Riley chooses. Val Henderson and the Philly back line are coming off of back-to-back shutouts.

The next two weeks are important to both teams. Two wins for magicJack and they will be battling with Western New York for the title, with everyone else left in their dust. Two wins for Philly and they will soar into second place with a chance at challenging the Flash.