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WPS Playoff Update: FC Gold Pride, Philadelphia with Chance to Clinch

August 20, 2010 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) News Release


SAN FRANCISCO, CA (August 20, 2010) - With Week 19 of WPS underway, the countdown to the 2010 WPS Playoffs continue. Thursday night's 2-0 victory by the Washington Freedom over the Chicago Red Stars at the Maryland SoccerPlex put the Freedom three points clear of fifth-place Sky Blue FC in the race for the fourth and final playoff spot. The New Jersey side has two games in hand against Washington, however, and the two will face-off August 28 in a match that looms even larger now with Washington's victory on Thursday.

A Washington-Chicago tie would have clinched a playoff berth for the Philadelphia Independence. Instead, the Independence will look to clinch a home playoff game with a tie or victory against New Jersey-turnpike rival Sky Blue FC on Sunday afternoon. Washington's victory also means that the Boston Breakers are not able to clinch a playoff berth outright this weekend. The third-place Breakers face last-place Atlanta at Veterans Stadium in New Britain, Conn.

The Washington-Chicago game had little impact on FC Gold Pride who have already clinched at least third in the regular season and a home game in the playoffs; they have their eye on winning the regular season title, currently with a six-point lead over Philadelphia. FC Gold Pride has the chance to clinch the regular season title through a series of fortuitous outcomes: should both Boston lose/tie and Philadelphia lose this weekend and FC Gold Pride post a victory, the Bay Area side will clinch the regular season title. This scenario would also earn FC Gold Pride the right to host the WPS Championship presented by Citi on September 26th at 2:30pm ET. They play in the late game on Sunday evening against Chicago in the national television game when the results of the other two weekend games will be final.

Alternatively, FC Gold Pride can clinch at least a spot as host of the WPS Super Semifinal by one of the following methods: 1) a Boston tie or loss on Saturday and a win on Sunday, 2) a Boston loss on Saturday and a tie on Sunday, or 3) with a Philadelphia loss and a win on Sunday.

While neither Chicago nor Atlanta would be mathematically knocked out of playoff contention, losses by both teams this weekend would put them each on the brink of playoff elimination, particularly Chicago which will have just two games remaining after this week.



Women's Professional Soccer Stories from August 20, 2010


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