Washington Freedom Fall to L.A Sol
July 5, 2009 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Los Angeles Sol News Release
Boyds, MD (July 5, 2009)-Entering tonight's game, Los Angeles Sol forward Marta was the center of attention, having earned the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year award the past three years. She made sure to leave the game in the spotlight as well, scoring the game's lone goal in the 91st minute as the Sol (11-1-4) defeated the Washington Freedom (4-6-4) on Sunday evening at the Maryland SoccerPlex.
Though it took her 46 minutes to score once the second half began, Marta put on a speed and footwork clinic for the 5,143 fans in attendance. Freedom defender Alex Singer, tasked with the job of defending the seemingly unstoppable Marta, explained her defensive strategy: "I just do anything I can to make sure she [Marta] doesn't get past me with the ball. She can get past me, or the ball can go by me, but never together."
Washington's defense contained her as well as anyone can, but in the end, Marta stuck a powerful left-footed shot into the right side netting from just outside of the top of the 18-yard box. When asked about her goal, Marta explained that, "though it was one of only a few chances I had, it came at the right time to be able to win the game."
Washington's best chance came early, when Abby Wambach drilled a left-footed shot from the top of the box, saved only by a spectacular dive by LA's keeper, Karina LeBlanc. Later on, in the 25th minute, Freedom defender Cat Whitehill took a beautiful free kick from nearly 35 yards out, but it hit the right goal post.
The rest of the half was slightly more stagnant than the first half, punctuated by the occasional hustle play by Washington's Lisa De Vanna or fancy footwork by Marta.
Both halves seemed to be played very evenly, but one stat stands out in particular. In the second half, LA had seven shots on goal in comparison to the Freedom's one.
The Sol will play its next game in just three days against St. Louis, as the Freedom get 10 days to rest before traveling to New Jersey on July 15 to play Sky Blue FC.
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Women's Professional Soccer Stories from July 5, 2009
- Sol Defeat Freedom - Los Angeles Sol
- Washington Freedom Fall to L.A Sol - Los Angeles Sol
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