Barr and Jie Lead Freedom
July 3, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Emmy Barr and Bai Jie each scored to lead the Washington Freedom to a 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Beat Wednesday evening at RFK Stadium. Washington (6-5-3, 21 pts.), winners of four of their last five matches, jumped into third place in the WUSA with the victory, while Atlanta (6-6-1 19 pts.) lost its first-ever match to the Freedom. Prior to tonight's game, Atlanta held a 4-0 edge in the all-time series between the two clubs.
Atlanta opened the game controlling the play, and the Beat nearly scored in the fifth minute when Amanda Cromwell's free kick from 24 yards banged off the crossbar.
Three minutes later Washington's Jen Grubb pulled the shirt of Beat forward Charmaine Hooper in the penalty area, but Washington goalkeeper Erin Fahey stopped Hooper's ensuing penalty kick. Fahey was making her first start of the 2002 season, as the Freedom's regular starting netminder, Siri Mullinix, was on the sidelines with a broken bone in her left hand.
Washington received a boost with Fahey's save, and three minutes later the Freedom went up 1-0 when Barr scored her first goal of the season. Anne Makinen took a free kick and sent a pretty ball into the center of the six-yard box for Barr to head past Atlanta goalkeeper Briana Scurry.
Washington went up 2-0 in the 19th minute when Bai scored her second goal of the season. Abby Wambach and Barr played a give and go on the left flank that sprung Wambach down the left side. The Freedom rookie sent a cross that sailed over Atlanta's Sharolta Nonen and Scurry. An unmarked Bai snapped a header in from the back post.
Atlanta had another prime scoring opportunity that failed to materialize when Cindy Parlow turned and broke with the ball toward the goal in the 22nd minute. Washington's defense caught up with Parlow at the 18-yard line and the U.S. national team regular cracked a hard shot that skimmed off the right post.
After going in hard on a tackle, Washington's Makinen left the game with a leg injury in the 24th minute. Monica Gerardo replaced the Finnish national team midfielder.
Atlanta brought in forward Sun Wen at halftime for Nancy Augustyniak and Head Coach Tom Stone shifted to a three-player back line for the second half. With Hooper peppering Fahey with numerous shots, Atlanta looked to get on the scoreboard early in the second half, but the Washington 'keeper denied the Beat's repeated attacks.
However, Atlanta's persistence eventually led to a defensive miscue by the Freedom. Washington's Steffi Jones attempted to clear a Nikki Serlenga free kick in the 49th minute, but the ball bounced off Jones' left shin and sailed over Fahey into the back left corner of the net.
Washington Head Coach Jim Gabarra sent off in the 53rd minute after expressing his opinions to the referees on a foul involving Wambach.
Atlanta turned the offense up another notch as Stone gave defender Julie Augustyniak the freedom to push into the attack, often leaving just Nonen and Cromwell alone in the back. Despite repeated forays into Washington's defensive third, Atlanta was unable to generate any dangerous scoring opportunities late in the second half.
Atlanta continues its road four-game road swing when the Beat visits San Jose on Wednesday, July 10. Washington is off until July 14 when the Freedom hosts first-place Philadelphia.
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 3, 2002
- Barr and Jie Lead Freedom - WUSA
- San Diego Spirit's Foudy Named to Title IX Panel - San Diego Spirit
- Charge's Pichon Named WUSA Player of the Month - Philadelphia Charge
- Pichon Named Player of the Month - WUSA
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