Midweek Notes: April 27, 2011

Lipsher Wins Player of the Week...Again

Atlanta goalkeeper Alli Lipsher has won WPS Player of the Week honors for the second consecutive week, becoming the first player to ever do so. Lipsher was credited with 13 saves in the Beat's match against the Western New York Flash, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

Lipsher also took Player of the Week honors a week ago for her 11 saves and shutout against Sky Blue FC, after Allie Long of Sky Blue FC received the honor the first week of the season. The Player of the Week is voted on by a panel from the North American Soccer Reporters.

Dallstream Traded to Boston

Forward/Defender Kiersten Dallstream has been traded by Sky Blue FC to the Boston Breakers. In return, SBFC will receive the Breakers' second round draft choice in 2012.

Dallstream played in 12 matches for Sky Blue in 2010, but had not appeared in either of their first two matches of 2011. She was originally a first round draft choice of the Los Angeles Sol in 2010, before being drafted by Sky Blue in the dispersal draft.

In college, Dallstream starred at Washington State and was a member of the 2008 U-20 World Cup Champions for the United States. That team was coached by current Breakers' head coach Tony DiCicco.

Western New York To Play First Home Game This Week

After starting out on the road for two matches, Western New York will make their home debut this Sunday against the Atlanta Beat. The two teams tied last weekend 2-2.

The Flash play their home matches at Sahlen Stadium in Rochester, New York. The Flash will play four consecutive home games, facing every team but Philadelphia during the home stand.

Beat and Flash Play to a 2-2 Draw

In the battle for the early lead in WPS, the Atlanta Beat and Western New York Flash played to a 2-2 draw at FSU Soccer Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia. The game featured a scintillating 2nd half after a slow and fairly uneventful first half.

Western New York drew first blood and it didn't take long. Brittany Bock was able to force a turnover in the Atlanta midfield and passed it to Christine Sinclair. Sinclair unleashed a shot from 22 yards out that beat Beat keeper Ali Lipsher lower left to make it 1-0 before the match was two minutes old.

Atlanta nearly forced a penalty in the 5th minute. On a set piece from 30 yards, Cat Whitehill tried to thread a low pass through to Keeley Dowling. Dowling went down in the box, but no call was made and it was inconclusive just how much contact had been made.

The rest of the half saw little action, with the Flash getting the majority of possession and scoring opportunities, but unable to crack the Beat's defense. Atlanta was unable to mount any attack of substance and seemed content to keep the Flash from increasing their lead with strong team defense. Both Carli Lloyd and Lauren Sesselmann earned yellow cards late in the half.

Halftime substitutions brought Marta into the match in place of Gemma Davison. She was seeing her first action of the WPS season. Atlanta sent India Trotter in for Sesselmann.

The game continued at much the same pace for the first ten minutes of the 2nd half, but a hard-working Lori Chalupny started challenging the right side of the Flash back line and her hard work paid off in the 57th minute.

Cat Whitehill sent a ball from the center circle to the left side to Chalupny. Chalupny cut back to the middle of the field, beating defender Kandace Wilson. From 25 yards, Chalupny struck a perfectly placed, slicing shot that grazed the inside of the right post and into the net.

That goal seemed to ignite both teams and the pace picked up considerably thereafter. In fact, the final 35 minutes of this match were among the most exciting played in WPS.

Western New York nearly answered in the 60th minute as a high corner got loose in the box, with Ali Lipsher making a save from close range on Sinclair.

However, in the 66th minute, Marta made her presence felt and Lipsher was unable to stop that one. Christine Sinclair sent a beautiful cross from the left side to the near post. Marta was able to get inside Keeley Dowling on a run to the net and headed the ball past Lipsher with a stunning flick to put the Flash back on top 2-1.

Just when Western New York appeared to be in control again, Atlanta answered quickly in the 68th minute. Off of a throw in, Lloyd got the ball to Chalupny who in turn sent it back to Lloyd. Lloyd dribbled to within 25 yards without defenders challenging and blasted a shot just under the crossbar and out of the reach of a leaping Ashlyn Harris. The game was once again tied.

Both goalkeepers made big saves in the closing minutes of the contest. Two Atlanta 2nd half substitutions, Analisa Marquez and Kristina Larsen, nearly connected for a goal in the 78th minute. Marquez crossed the ball to Larsen at the 18. Larsen turned in heavy traffic and shot to the top center of the net with Harris making a brilliant save tipping the ball over the net.

It was Lipsher's turn to make a game-saving stop in the 87th minute as Caroline Seger shot from 12 yards appeared to be heading just under the crossbar, but the Beat goalkeeper was able to tip it over the net. Just two minutes later, a Sinclair blast was deflected either by an Atlanta defender or Lipsher and rattled off the top of the post and over.

The game ended 2-2 after a furious tempo over the final third of the match that had to exhaust all involved.

So both teams end the evening where they started it, tied atop the WPS table. Western New York is now 1-0-1 with four points. Atlanta is 1-1-1 with four points. The two teams will meet in a rematch next Sunday in Rochester.

WPS Standings after three weeks:
Western New York Flash 1-0-1, 4 pts.
Atlanta Beat 1-1-1, 4 pts.
magicJack 1-0-0, 3 pts.
Boston Breakers 1-2-0, 3 pts.
Philadelphia Independence 0-0-1, 1 pt.
Sky Blue FC 0-1-1, 1 pt.

Lipsher & Lenczyk Lead Beat to 1-0 Victory

Meghan Lenczyk scored her first WPS goal and Allison Lipsher posted a shutout as the Atlanta Beat defeated Sky Blue FC 1-0 at KSU Soccer Stadium on Saturday evening.

Lipsher recorded 11 saves against Sky Blue in her first WPS action since the 2009 season. She spent the 2010 season as a developmental goalkeeper for the Boston Breakers after starting 10 matches in 2009.

"Allie is a class goalkeeper," said Beat coach James Galanis. "She played in Australia for a year and she's played every minute of every game there. She's gained the experience that she needed to take into the WPS. We're very, very proud of her."

Sky Blue appeared to have the edge for most of the match, outshooting Atlanta by an 18-4 margin, but were unable to put anything past Lipsher. The game was scoreless at the half.

Galanis subbed Lenczyk into the match for Kristina Larsen at the half and the move paid instant dividends. In the 50th minute, Lenczyk was able to get the ball past Sky Blue goalkeeper Karen Bardsley with Carrie Dew's sliding effort to keep the ball from crossing the line falling just a bit short.

"I think we worked really hard," said the former Virgina striker. "I think the goal came from us pushing up in the second half. India Trotter played it right in and all I had to do was touch it."

Galanis has shown a lot of confidence in his young players, including Lenczyk. "I just said to her, 'hang in there and the goal is going to come.' And we came out today, and it couldn’t have been more important."

Though Sky Blue was able to keep the pressure on throughout the match, they were never able to finish any of their chances. "Yeah it was very disappointing for us," said SBFC coach Jim Gabarra. "A number of chances were created but we hit the side of the bar, and the keeper kept making a save. We had three or four great opportunities in the first half and probably as many in the second half."

Atlanta improved their record to one win and one loss. They will host Western New York next Sunday. Sky Blue suffered their first loss of the season to go with last week's draw. They have a bye week before traveling to Boston for a May 1st matchup.

magicJack at Philadelphia Independence Match Postponed

The match between magicJack and Philadelphia that was to be played last evening at Widener University was postponed because of strong winds and lightning strikes. No date has been given as of yet for rescheduling the match.

MagicJack will play their home opener next Saturday against the Boston Breakers, before hosting Philadelphia the following Sunday, in what is the Independence's next scheduled match.

Note: Information and quotes for this story was obtained from WPS and Atlanta Beat press releases.

Familiar Faces in Aussie W-League

The Australian Westfield W-League began play this weekend and there are several faces familiar to US soccer fans that dot the rosters for various teams.

Ashleigh Gunning, who has spent time in WPS camps, plays for Adelaide. She was in the starting lineup facing Newcastle and their goalkeeper, none other than Boston Breaker keeper Allison Lipsher. Lipsher got the best of Adelaide on this day, gaining the shutout as Sasha McDonnell scored two late goals to lead Newcastle to a 2-0 victory. Newcastle's roster also features Niki Cross, who has spent time with FC Gold Pride, Boston, and Saint Louis in WPS. Cross was injured in training and did not play in the first match.

Meanwhile, Sydney got two goals from Matilda star and former Chicago Red Star, Heather Garriock, in their 4-2 victory over the Brisbane Roar. Lydia Vandenbergh, also a Red Star, started for Sydney after spending last season for Central Coast Mariners, which dropped out of the league.

Canberra United defeated Perth 4-1 led by a hat trick from Michelle Heyman, who led the league in goals last season as a Mariner. Lydia Williams, who spent time with Chicago, played goalkeeper for Canberra. Washington Freedom defender Alex Singer started for Perth.

Finally, Kendall Fletcher of Sky Blue FC and formerly with Saint Louis Athletica, is on the roster for Melbourne, which had a bye week. Fletcher, like Vandenbergh, Heyman, and USWNT goalkeeper Jill Loyden, played for Central Coast last season.

Information for this story was obtained from the Official Website of the Westfield W-League. Follow W-League action at http://www.w-league.com.au/.

Boston Breakers 2010 - Improvement Everywhere

Coach: Tony DiCicco
2009 Record: 7-9-4 (5th place)
Postseason: Out of the playoffs.

Returnees (9): Fabiana, Amy LePeilbet, Kristine Lilly, Allison Lipsher, Kasey Moore, Ashley Phillips, Alex Scott, Kelly Smith, Maggie Tomecka.
Draft Choices (4): Lauren Cheney, Alyssa Naeher, Jordan Angeli, Taryn Hemmings.
LA Dispersal Draft (1): Stephanie Cox.
International Signings ( 2): Laura Del Rio, Sarah Walsh.
Free Agents (6): Liz Bogus, Leslie Osborne, Tiffany Weimer, Chioma Igwe, Analisa Marquez, Claire Zimmeck.

If you’re a Boston fan, you certainly can’t accuse Breakers’ management of standing still. After a disappointing 5th place finish and missing the playoffs on the final day of the regular season, the Breakers made a lot of moves designed to make this team a playoff contender. They started by trading Amy Rodriguez to Philadelphia to move up in the draft. With the two picks they got from Philly, they selected Lauren Cheney and Alyssa Naeher. They were aggressive in the domestic market, signing several free agents including Leslie Osborne (Gold Pride), Tiffany Weimer (Gold Pride), Chioma Igwe (Chicago), and Liz Bogus (Los Angeles). They also added two international forwards in Laura Del Rio and Sarah Walsh.

But maybe the most fortuitous move happened as a result of the LA dispersal draft. Just when it looked like the Breakers might be a little thin on defense, they were able to obtain Stephanie Cox. Indeed, the Breakers may have improved themselves across the board more than any other team in WPS.

Goalkeeping-Boston returns starting goalkeeper, Allison Lipsher, from their 2009 team. Lipsher took over starting duties midway through the season and posted 5 shutouts over the last 11 matches of the season. She is certainly capable of handling the starting duties, but Boston drafted insurance in the person of Alyssa Naeher of Penn State. Less than two years ago, Naeher led the US U-20 team to the world championship in Chile, giving up just one goal in 5 starts. Now, at just 21 years old, she will challenge Lipsher for the starting position. It gives Breakers’ coach Tony DiCicco a pleasant problem. Ashley Phillips returns as the developmental keeper.

Defenders-Boston held opponents to only a goal a game last season and the Breakers have two of the top back line players in WPS in English international Alex Scott and USWNT defender Amy LePeilbet. Scott proved to be one of the top offensive backs in the league in 2009 and LePeilbet’s center back play is as solid as it comes. Boston did lose three key players from last year in Heather Mitts, Sue Weber, and Candace Chapman. But what looked like a problem was largely solved as the Breakers were able to obtain USWNT defender Stephanie Cox in the dispersal draft. Cox is one of the most underrated backs in WPS. She quietly and efficiently gets the job done and can play inside or outside.

Boston will probably move Kasey Moore to the back line after she spent much of last year playing defensive midfielder. The Breakers also added Santa Clara defender, Jordan Angeli, with a 2nd round selection in January. Likely Moore and Angeli will compete for the 4th spot on the back line. With 3 of their 4 backs having extensive international experience, it’s a safe bet that this will be one of the top defensive units in the league.

Midfielders-The Breakers have a couple of soccer legends in the midfield with Kelly Smith and Kristine Lilly. The only question on Smith is whether Coach Tony DiCicco will position her as a forward or midfielder. In the end, it probably doesn’t matter because Smith is one of the world’s most dangerous offensive players, no matter what position she plays. Even battling persistent knee problems, she still managed to rack up 6 goals and 2 assists in 2009. Meanwhile, Lilly has just added to her mind-boggling USWNT cap total. Now in her 4th decade with the US National Team, she shows no signs of slowing down. Last year, she scored 3 goals and added 3 assists for the Breakers.

The loss of USWNT midfielder Angela Hucles to retirement was certainly a blow to Boston. The big addition for the Breakers at midfield is Leslie Osborne, obtained as a free agent from Gold Pride. A tough defender, Osborne should solidify the Breakers’ middle. Additionally, Boston returns Maggie Tomecka, who made last year’s team as a free agent and came on strong at the end of the year. Young Brazilian attacking mid, Fabiana, was a consistent starter down the stretch, but had no points to show for her efforts. The Breakers signed former Red Star Chioma Igwe for depth at both midfielder and defender. Indeed, depth may be the only concern with this group…that and a recurrence of Smith’s knee problems.

Forwards-The Breakers scored only four goals in their last 8 games in 2009. As a result, they did a complete overhaul of their front. Moving up in the draft enabled Boston to draft Lauren Cheney. Cheney led UCLA to the NCAA semifinals last fall, but more notably, she has already scored 5 goals for the USWNT in 2010. Cheney is excellent at making a turn with a defender on her back. And unlike some goal scorers, Cheney also does a good job of setting up teammates.

The second major addition was that of Laura Del Rio, a striker from the Spanish National Team. Last year, she scored 18 goals in just 11 games for FC Indiana of the W-League. Del Rio gives Boston a nice 1-2 punch. A second international, Sarah Walsh, scored just one goal in WPS last season while splitting time between Sky Blue and Saint Louis. However, leg injuries slowed her and she appeared to be rounding into form by the time she hit the Aussie W-League in the fall. Another free agent signing, Tiffany Weimer, has great ball skills and is one of the more creative players in the league. Further depth includes veteran Liz Bogus, draft pick Taryn Hemmings, and former Freedom striker Claire Zimmeck.

Summary-In spite of being shut out 3 straight games, Boston held the 4th playoff spot with just 30 minutes to go in the 2009 season. The fact that it slipped away from them means that the first order of business is rebuilding the Breakers’ confidence. A healthy Kelly Smith and the addition of several talented players should go a long way in doing that.

The Breakers have improved themselves in every area, from goalkeeper to forward. The additions of Naeher, Cox, Osborne, Del Rio, Weimer, and most especially, Lauren Cheney, leads me to believe that this team could compete for the title. My main concern is depth at defense and midfield. If the Breakers can escape the hangover of last year’s finish and stay relatively healthy, they should be able to challenge any team in WPS.