Charge Salvage Point Versus Freedom
Published on July 14, 2002 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Philadelphia Charge News Release
WASHINGTON, DC (July 14, 2002) - Zhao Lihong's free kick goal in the 85th minute gave the Philadelphia Charge a 1-1 tie against the Washington Freedom at RFK Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Melissa Moore made xx saves for Philadelphia (9-1-4, 31pts), which improved to 5-0-4 in its last nine outings, but fell out of first place for the first time this season.
Lihong's tally salvaged a point for the Charge, who host the first-place Carolina Courage Saturday, July 20 at Villanova Stadium starting at 4 pm. Philadelphia has a game in hand and also hold the tiebreaker against the Courage this season.
Washington's Mia Hamm earned her first start of the season and generated a number of solid scoring chances despite missing a penalty kick. Hamm had been sidelined with a leg injury and was coming off the bench the last four games for the Freedom.
After pressuring the Charge for most of the second half, the Freedom finally broke the scoreless deadlock in the 75th minute. Following a corner kick that resulted in Mandy Clemens blocking a certain Washington goal, the Freedom got on the board when Wambach sent home a Steffi Jones pass from eight yards out.
Philadelphia responded in the 85th minute. After Liu Ailing was fouled 25 yards from goal by Washington's Casey Zimny, Ailing's countrywoman Zhao knotted the game when she placed the ensuing free kick off the crossbar and saw it redirect downward across the goal line.
The Charge, who continued to have solid scoring chances as the game came to a close, moved to 4-1-2 on the road this season. Philadelphia wins the season-series 1-0-2.
Washington got the game's first scoring chance when Philadelphia's Jenny Benson was charged with taking down the Freedom's Bai Jie in the box in the 10th minute. After Washington lofted a ball into the box, Benson attempted to shield Bai from the ball to allow Moore to make the play. However, Benson was called for the foul leading to a penalty kick for Hamm, who failed to convert hooking the ball to her left.
The remainder of the half saw each team apply pressure, but neither goalkeeper was forced to make any spectacular saves. Moore make some nice plays on 50-50 balls, while Fahey faced some dangerous Charge free kicks that didn't amount to much.
In the second half, the Freedom moved Hamm from the midfield to a forward position and the US national team member responded by generating a great deal of offense. She first broke down the right side a little less than 15 minutes into the half to get a scoring chance. She later came down the left side, went around a Charge defender and unleashed a shot that was deflected out of bounds by Jen Tietjen. The ensuing corner kick resulted in Moore having to come off her line to punch the ball to the top of the 18, where Jen Grubb's shot was deflected out by Lorrie Fair.
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 14, 2002
- Spirit Ties CyberRays, 2-2, as MacMillan and Fleeting Score - San Diego Spirit
- Spirit Hold off CyberRays - WUSA
- Charge Tie Freedom - WUSA
- Charge Salvage Point Versus Freedom - Philadelphia Charge
- Courage Sneak by Breakers - WUSA
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