England 1, Mexico 1

England and Mexico battled for 90 minutes to a hard-fought draw in Wolfsburg. The match was well contested throughout, with both sides having several good chances to score, but the match ended in a 1-1 tie.

This is a much improved side we are seeing from Mexico these days and they stayed with the tough English team blow for blow in this match. They nearly went on top in the opening minutes as Maribel Dominguez was given a nice through-ball that put her temporarily behind the English defense, but veteran defender Faye White made a nice recovery and Dominguez was unable to get a shot off.

For England, early on, it was shots from distance that seemed to be the order of the day. Kelly Smith's near miss just past the right post was the first of many that England would try in the first half. Apparently, the English were trying to test 16-year old Mexican keeper Cecilia Santiago early and often.

With no score in the 21st minute, England gained a corner kick on the right side. Karen Carney took the kick with the ball going high to the right side of the box, about 15 yards away. English midfielder Fara Williams was able to get height over the Mexican defender and headed the ball into the upper right corner of the net, while Santiago watched helplessly. England led 1-0.

Santiago appeared unfazed just a few minutes later as she was able to make a diving stop on Williams' attempt from 22 yards and smother it without rebound.

Then, what appeared to be a very innocuous play from Mexico resulted in a goal. The Mexicans gained possession in the midfield and after a couple of passes the ball came to Monica Ocampo, a good 35 yards away from the goal.

Ocampo touched the ball to the center of the field and then ripped a shot that curled under the bar and beyond a very stunned Karen Bardsley to tie the match at one. Bardsley appeared to be deceived by both the pace and spin on the shot and attempted to catch it two-handed instead of punching the ball away. As it turned out, it was just out of her reach and the match went into intermission tied at one.

Although they didn't score, the two great strikers in this match, Kelly Smith and Maribel Dominguez did not disappoint anyone with their play. Dominguez seemed to be perpetually on the run and menacing the English back line. Smith, as usual, controlled the center of the field, distributing well to teammates and taking a shot or two herself when the opportunity presented itself. Dominguez eventual developed a cramp late in the contest and was substituted out, but not before she threw a few scares into the English team.

While England had the better of chances and possession in the first half, Mexico gained confidence after Ocampo's goal. They nearly took the lead in the 49th minute as Dominguez struck her free kick from 22 yards just wide of the left post.

England took their turn just five minutes later as Rachel Yankey's cross to the back post was headed to the middle by Karen Carney, but Eni Aluko's swing at the ball from directly in front of the net produced nothing.

The English might have been a tad lucky in the 60th minute as Rachel Unitt's late challenge on Alina Garciamendez in the penalty area did not result in a call and the English defense were able to clear.

In the closing minutes of the game, both teams were presented with golden chances on free kicks. Smith's attempt from 25 yards went over the bar, while Ocampo's try from similar distance was even closer, just inches over the crossbar.

It appeared that Mexico had plenty of energy in the last few minutes, while England appeared to be worn out. Two minutes into stoppage, Mexico pressured inside England's penalty area, but Stephany Mayor's blast was blocked by Ellen White just yards in front of the goal to avert disaster.

While the result was a tie, the young Mexican squad had to be very happy with their performance and should gain confidence for the road ahead. They were able to strike back within minutes of falling behind in the match and showed more energy and greater possession as the match wore on.

Perhaps, a disappointing result for England, but their task against a very tough Mexican team was not that easy. England next faces New Zealand, a team that tied them in the Peace Cup last fall. Mexico will now face Group B leaders Japan. A victory against the Japanese would put Mexico in very good shape to advance to the quarterfinals.

England Wins World Cup Warm-Up Over Sweden

Hope Powell's England squad has knocked off another high ranking team in defeating Sweden by a 2-0 margin. Jill Scott scored early in the second half and Karen Carney later added a penalty to boost England to the victory.

Both teams were playing without key players. For England, Fara Williams and Faye White were both sidelined with injuries. Meanwhile, Sweden was without Stina Segerstrom, who suffered a severe injury and will miss the World Cup, as well as Sara Larsson and Nilla Fischer, who were also nursing injuries.

USWNT Adds Engen and Farrelly to Roster

Pia Sundhage has called Whitney Engen and Sinead Farrelly up for the final friendly against Japan. Engen was added to provide much needed depth for the US back line, with Heather Mitts, Christie Rampone, and Amy LePeilbet all trying to heal from injuries. Farrelly was added after the devastating injury to Lindsay Tarpley in Saturday's match against Japan.

A former star at North Carolina, Engen is now a starter for the Western New York Flash after playing her rookie season for the Chicago Red Stars. Engen has missed just four minutes of action in 29 WPS matches.

Farrelly is a rookie midfielder for the Philadelphia Independence, starting in her first WPS season for coach Paul Riley. The former Virginia star was the second overall pick in the January draft.

Chicago Red Stars 2010 - Enigmatic Stars Go Young

Coach: Emma Hayes
2009 Record: 5-10-5 (6th place)
Postseason: Out of the playoffs.

Returnees (10): Karen Carney, Cristiane, Marian Dalmy, Ifeoma Dieke, Brittany Klein, Kate Markgraf, Ella Masar, Megan Rapinoe, Natalie Spilger, Lydia Vandenbergh.
Draft Choices (5): Whitney Engen, Jessica McDonald, Kelsey Davis, Michelle Weissenhofer, Jackie Santacaterina.
LA Dispersal Draft (1): Casey Nogueira.
International Signings ( 3): Kosovare Asllani, Katie Chapman, Formiga.
Free Agents (1): Julianne Sitch.
Trades (1): Jillian Loyden.

Of all WPS teams last season, the Red Stars were the one team I couldn’t figure out. They just looked like they should have been better. How can a team with Cristiane, Rapinoe, Tarpley, Carney, Lloyd, and Masar have trouble scoring? Twice this team went nearly 400 minutes without scoring a goal and they were shut out 11 times.

Chicago seems to be going to a youth movement, with 5 draft picks plus Casey Nogueira from the dispersal draft and international signee Kosovare Asllani joining the Red Stars. The exceptions were the signings of former Gold Pride midfielder Formiga and English international Katie Chapman. Chicago will also welcome back Kate Markgraf, who missed all of last season. With Lloyd and Tarpley gone, it means that Chicago is the only team that never had their 3 USWNT allocations on the field at the same time.

Goalkeeping-The Red Stars made a bold move prior to the January draft, trading USWNT player Lindsay Tarpley to Saint Louis for Jillian Loyden. Loyden’s stock has risen rapidly over the past 12 months. First, she won the backup role to Hope Solo in Saint Louis and shut out 2 of 3 opponents she faced in 2009. Then, she ventured to Australia where she won the W-League Goalkeeper of the Year. Since then, she has made the US National Team as a backup. To solidify the goalkeeper position, Chicago drafted Kelsey Davis out of the University of Portland. Davis has experience on US junior teams and should provide the Red Stars with a quality backup. At press time, the Red Stars didn't have a developmental keeper.

Defenders- The Red Stars started 2009 as one of the best defensive teams in WPS, shutting out 3 of their first 4 opponents. However, they didn’t post a shutout in the 2nd half of the season and this is certainly one area that needed improvement. The return of Kate Markgraf should go a long way in doing that. Markgraf, a USWNT veteran, missed the entire ’09 season. She is a solid, experienced defender who will anchor Chicago’s back line.

The second key addition is Whitney Engen. Engen was considered to be the top defender in college soccer last fall at UNC. The Red Stars also return Marian Dalmy, Ifeoma Dieke, and Natalie Spilger. Dalmy is a tall outside back who has some experience on the US National Team. Dieke has good speed and plays internationally for Scotland. Stanford grad Spilger played well last season in 13 starts. The Red Stars also return developmental back, Lydia Vandenbergh, who bolstered her playing experience with a stint in the Aussie W-League last fall. The additions of Markgraf and Engen should make this a top notch defensive group.

Midfielders-If you look at Chicago’s 2009 midfield group, there appeared to be a lot of talent, but it rarely translated into goals. Of that group, Carli Lloyd is no longer with the Red Stars. The returnees are Karen Carney, Megan Rapinoe, and Brittany Klein. Klein was finally recognized for her strong play, being named to the '09 all-star team. Certainly one of the smallest midfielders in the league, Klein’s not afraid to mix it up and she always has an impressive work rate. Carney and Rapinoe may be two of the most talented young wing players in the world, but 2009 saw limited output for the duo, a combined 4 goals and 4 assists. Although Carney is recovering from injury, expect to see a lot better results from the two this season. Both are very good 1 v. 1 players that can break down opposing defenses.

The two major additions in the midfield both come from the international ranks. Chicago added English international Katie Chapman and former Gold Pride midfielder Formiga. The Brazilian star struggled through a 2009 season which saw her hobbled by injuries toward the end of the season and missing the all-star game. She still has the ability to make players around her better and I expect her to rebound with a strong 2010 season, once her visa problems are solved. Chapman has 76 caps for the English National Team and just scored the game winner in a match against Spain. Chicago area native Julianne Sitch and Illinois alum Jackie Santacaterina will provide depth here as well as on the back line.

Forwards-The Red Stars signed 20-year old striker, Kosovare Asllani, from Sweden to improve Chicago’s offensive output. Asllani scored 12 goals for Linköpings last season and she will be counted on to do more of the same with the Red Stars. Her forward running mates will be Cristiane, who scored 7 goals last season (and was the only Red Star to score between April 25 and July 1) and Ella Masar who spent most of ’09 as a reserve, adding two assists.

A trio of forwards from the college ranks will provide depth. Casey Nogueira had a knack for scoring clutch goals for North Carolina and hopes to be a spark for the Red Stars. Another former UNC player, Jessica McDonald, was Chicago’s 2nd round selection. Together, Nogueira and McDonald were UNC’s top two goal scorers last fall. Another Chicago area native, Michelle Weissenhofer of Naperville and Notre Dame, adds further depth at forward.

Summary-Certainly, the Red Stars would like to forget last season. The back line was troubled with injuries, the offense was anemic, they suffered two red cards, and they finished 6th. The injection of young talent, with a sprinkling of older veterans could be a move in the right direction, although the team will certainly miss a respected veteran in Lindsay Tarpley.

If everyone plays to their potential and the team gels, this could be a very good team. There is a lot of room for improvement over last year’s squad. The Red Stars will be tested very quickly as they open on the road against defending WPS Champions Sky Blue FC and their former teammate, Carli Lloyd.

Athletica 2, Red Stars 0

In a battle of two midwestern rivals, Saint Louis defeated Chicago 2-0 before 4461 fans at Toyota Park on Saturday night. Eniola Aluko was the offensive star of the game, scoring one goal and causing an own goal on the other. Jillian Loyden, who was starting in place of National Team keeper Hope Solo, filled in nicely earning the shutout in her first action of the year. Chicago took the hard luck loss. They had more chances, but couldn't finish, while Athletica made the most of their chances. Saint Louis was credited with only one shot on goal for the match, while Chicago had six, all turned away by Loyden.

Several starters were missing for both teams. Chicago had four players called up for the National Team contest, including Carli Lloyd, Marian Dalmy, Megan Rapinoe, and Lindsay Tarpley. Athletica had two players called up for the US, captain Lori Chalupny and Solo, as well as one for the Canadians, Melissa Tancredi. Kia McNeill was serving her one game suspension and Daniela is probably out for the season with her leg injury.

First Half

Saint Louis did well with possession early on. A foul gave Athletica a free kick from 20 yards out directly in front of the Red Star goal, but Francielle hit a rather weak shot into the Red Star wall and it was easily cleared.

Chicago got their first scoring chance at the 16 minute mark off of a corner kick. Cristiane rose for the header and put it on net only to have Loyden tip it over the goal. It was the first of several nice saves by Loyden.

At the 20 minute mark, Aluko appeared to be through for a breakaway, but it was whistled for offsides. Then Francielle whistled a shot over the crossbar at the 24 minute mark. It was shortly thereafter when Athletica broke through with the first goal of the game.

The play started with Kendall Fletcher sending a long ball to the corner that was well placed for Aluko to run down. Aluko controlled the ball and beat the defender to the outside, putting her one-on-one against the Red Star keeper, Caroline Jönsson. She dribbled to the 6 yard box at a steep angle and sent a cross intended for Saint Louis striker Kerri Hanks, that instead deflected off Chicago defender Ifeoma Dieke over Jönsson's head for the goal. It was the first own goal in the history of the league. Even though it was credited as an own goal, Aluko should be given credit for a great effort which led to it.

As the half wore on, Chicago put more pressure on. Cristiane sent a nice pass through to Karen Carney who shot just high and wide of the goal. At the 37 minute mark, it was Carney again, as she dribbled to the top of the box and hit a hard shot that Loyden just managed to tip over the bar. On another crossing attempt, Loyden barely outjumped Frida Östberg for the ball.

In spite of the Chicago pressure, it was Athletica that scored again. Angie Woznuk sent a ball into the box that Aluko and a Red Star defender went up for, but neither got cleanly. The ball fell to Fletcher's feet at about 15 yards out and she got off a shot that was blocked by Dieke. The ball went directly to Aluko who was wide open and she made no mistake in finishing it. It was her 2nd goal of the season.

Chicago had one more chance late in the half as Brittany Klein got loose after a scramble for a header at the top of the box. Her sliding shot went just wide of the goal. The half ended with Athletica on top, 2-0.

Second Half

The 2nd half opened with Saint Louis nearly making it 3-0. A series of nice passes in the midfield area set up Elise Weber heading up the left side. She placed a nice cross to Hanks in the box, who under pressure, mishit the shot and Jönsson was able to track it down.

The Red Stars had most of the 2nd half chances. Heather Garriock shot wide in the 52nd minute. Garriock, who has been plagued by injuries this year, appeared to be hurt once again and had to be taken out at the 56 minute mark, having played only 11 minutes.

In the 60th minute, it was the Carney-Cristiane connection again as Carney passed to Cristiane who made a nice move to get off a shot, but she didn't get as much on it as one might have hoped and Loyden made the save. A few minutes later, Carney got off a long shot that was handled easily by the Athletica keeper. At the 73 minute mark, Östberg shot from about 25 yards out that went straight to Loyden.

The Red Stars had their best chance of the 2nd half in the 84th minute. Klein crossed the ball to the far side of the box onto the foot of Östberg, who found herself unmarked from about 12 yards out to Loyden's left. She hit a hard shot that Loyden made a kick save with her right foot, probably her best save of the match.

From that point on, there was little doubt as to the outcome of the match. Athletica improved their record to 2-2-2, while Chicago fell to 2-3-2. The two teams are now tied for 5th place with 8 points, with Saint Louis having a game in hand.

Overall Impressions

Certainly Aluko and Loyden had great games, but Athletica played very well as a team and several players had good games. I thought Francielle played her best match of the year. Tina Ellertson was solid and captained the defense in front of Loyden. Although they didn't get a lot of scoring chances, Athletica did put together some nice passing at the midfield as it appears they are embracing Coach Jorge Barcellos' Brazilian style of play. Several replacement starters, including Niki Cross, stepped up their game.

I'm at a loss the explain what's going on with Chicago. They have talent and they certainly had chances. Cristiane and Carney kept Loyden on her toes all night, but either she made the saves or they shot wide. The Red Stars have now gone over 300 minutes without a goal. Surely missing several players hurt them, but Saint Louis was also missing a number of key players and seemed to adapt better. Chicago was a bit unlucky on both goals, but in both cases, Athletica forced the play that caused that luck. The Red Stars now have a week and a half to recover before traveling to Los Angeles for a June 3rd game. Athletica's next game is also against the Sol next Saturday.

Other Notes

It was the first time I had ever been to Toyota Park and I was very impressed with the facility. It's a great venue to watch soccer. I also can't thank enough the Chicago organization and fans for their hospitality. Although St. Louis and Chicago are rival cities in most sports, there was certainly goodwill between the two fan groups who both want their teams and the league to succeed.

It was a special night for several of Athletica's players. Erin Walter, Elise Weber, and Erin Kane are all from the Chicago area. Weber has started the last 4 games, but for Walter, it was her first time making the traveling squad. It was great to see the DePaul graduate see her first action of the season in front of her hometown family and friends in the 70th minute.