WPS Weekly

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


With all WPS teams having now moved officially into the second half of the 24-game season, the weekend's biggest winners came from the bottom of the table as the sixth-place Boston Breakers and seventh-place Atlanta Beat each racked up one goal wins. Meanwhile FC Gold Pride, extended their lead to 10 points with their third-consecutive victory as they continue on their march to the regular season title and the right to host the 2010 WPS Championship on September 26 as the top seed.

Top of the table FC Gold Pride battled with second-place Philadelphia throughout the first half before a goal late in the first 45 minutes by Christine Sinclair put the Pride ahead going into the locker room at Pioneer Stadium, Cal State, East Bay. Sinclair added a second insurance goal in 80th minute to win the battle among the league's top two teams.

In Sunday action, the Atlanta Beat captured their first road win in franchise history with a 1-0 victory over struggling Sky Blue FC, which has just four points in their past five games. Both Beat victories this year have come with 1-0 scorelines as an early goal by Atlanta forward Eniola Aluko held up for the difference at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, New Jersey.

The Boston Breakers won their third game in the row, the first-time ever for the franchise, with a 2-1 victory over the Washington Freedom, which has not won a game since May 30 during a seven-game winless streak. Boston goals were scored by Liz Bogus and Jordan Angeli, while Washington got an early goal by Nikki Marshall - her second in as many games for the Freedom rookie. The win moves the Breakers into a logjam for the third and fourth playoff spots with four teams separated by just two spots as the teams vie for two playoff berths and the chance to host the WPS First Round on September 19 at their home venue.

Saturday

FC Gold Pride 2, Philadelphia Independence 0

Sunday

Atlanta 1, Sky Blue FC 0

Boston 2, Washington 1

League Leaders

Goals

Marta (FC Gold Pride) 10

Amy Rodriguez (Philadelphia) 7

Christine Sinclair (FC Gold Pride) 7

Eniola Aluko (Atlanta Beat) 5

Abby Wambach (Washington Freedom) 5

Assists

Abby Wambach (Washington Freedom) 7

Lori Lindsey (Philadelphia Independence) 5

Christine Sinclair (FC Gold Pride) 5

Sonia Bompastor (Washington Freedom) 4

Shannon Boxx (FC Gold Pride) 4

Saves

Erin McLeod (Washington Freedom) 65

Hope Solo (Atlanta Beat) 59

Karen Bardsley (Sky Blue FC) 56

Jillian Loyden (Chicago Red Stars) 42

FC Gold Pride's Sinclair is WPS's Week 14 Player of the Week

Forward Christine Sinclair is Women's Professional Soccer's Player of the Week for Week 14 after leading first-place FC Gold Pride to its third successive victory and fifth in six games, a 2-0 triumph Saturday over second-place Philadelphia.

Sinclair, a unanimous selection from the media, scored both goals to lift Gold Pride (10-3-1), which extended its lead atop the WPS standings to 10 points.

The goals were the sixth and seventh this season for the Canadian national-teamer, who finished feeds from Solveig Gulbrandsen in the 44th minute and Camile Abily in the 80th.

This is Sinclair's second Player of the Week honor -- she won in Week 8 last season -- and she is the second Gold Pride player to win this year, joining Brazilian forward Marta, who has captured the award three times.

The WPS Player of Week is selected by a panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters.

Week 1: Eniola Aluko (Saint Louis Athletica)

Week 2: Abby Wambach (Washington Freedom)

Week 3: Lori Lindsey (Philadelphia Independence)

Week 4: Sonia Bompastor (Washington Freedom)

Week 5: Karen Bardsley (Sky Blue FC)

Week 6: Marta (FC Gold Pride)

Week 7: Kosovare Asllani (Chicago Red Stars)

Week 8: Amy Rodriguez (Philadelphia Independence)

Week 9: Marta (FC Gold Pride)

Week 10: Danesha Adams (Philadelphia Independence)

Week 11: Amy Rodriguez (Philadelphia Independence)

Week 12: Marta (FC Gold Pride)

Week 13: Ella Masar (Chicago Red Stars)

TV Flex Games Finalized on Fox Soccer Channel

The final two national television games of the regular season have been finalized this week to include compelling match-ups among playoff contenders. On Sunday, September 5, the Chicago Red Stars will host the Washington Freedom at Toyota Park at 6pm ET/3pm PT in a potential playoff decider for two teams that are currently tied for the final playoff position.

In the final game of the regular season, current league leaders FC Gold Pride will host Philadelphia Independence in a potential match-up of the top two teams in the league heading into the 2010 WPS Playoffs. The game will be live during a special Saturday night primetime kick-off at 8:30pm ET/5:30 PT from Pioneer Stadium, Cal State, East Bay.

Streaks R Us

With the exception of the Atlanta Beat which has split it last two games with a victory at Sky Blue FC and a loss to Boston, each of the six other WPS teams are going through some sort of streak following this weekend's action. Boston is on a three-game winning streak for the first time in franchise history, while Chicago is on a four-game undefeated streak since June 19 with two wins and two ties.

FC Gold Pride have won three straight games for the second time this year, while the Philadelphia Independence have lost two straight for the first time all season. Sky Blue FC have not won a game since June 27, going three games without a victory, while the Washington Freedom are on an even longer seven-game winless streak after winning four games in their first seven games of the 2010 WPS Season.

Sinclair Catches A-Rod in Chase for PUMA Golden Boot Award

FC Gold Pride's Christine Sinclair was the big mover in Week 14 in the quest for the PUMA Golden Boot Award given to the league's top scorer as her two goals brought her into a tie for second with Philadelphia's Amy Rodriguez. Rodriguez and Sinclair are now three goals behind FC Gold Pride forward Marta, whose 10 goals on the season ties her record set in 2009.

WPS Week 15 Preview

Wednesday, July 21

Boston Breakers vs. FC Gold Pride (7pm ET)

Harvard Stadium, Cambridge, MA

- This match-up is the third meeting between the two clubs. FC Gold Pride has won both meetings this season, 2-1, at Harvard Stadium and 1-0 at home.

- Following a recent win streak the Boston Breakers now sit only one point out from the final playoff position behind the Washington Freedom and Chicago Red Stars.

- FC Gold Pride comes in to the game with two of the top three leading scorers in the league (Marta and Christine Sinclair). Gold Pride also boasts the number one team offense in the league and the number two defense.

- Both sides come in to this game riding three-game win streaks. The Breakers previously had not won in nine consecutive games before breaking the streak against second-place Philadelphia, and continuing the success against the Atlanta Beat and Washington Freedom.

- FC Gold Pride has extended their league dominance to a double digit points lead following last week's win. From the April 17th to May 14th FC Gold Pride enjoyed a five-game win streak which is the longest streak in WPS history.

- The Breakers have accumulated seven goals during the month of July that is two more than they had in the entire season prior to the month.

Wednesday, July 21

Atlanta Beat vs. Chicago Red Stars (7:30pm ET)

KSU Soccer Stadium, Kennesaw, GA

- This will be the fourth meeting of the season between the Beat and Red Stars culminating their season series. The Beat lead the series with a 1-0-2 record and could clinch any tiebreaker between the teams if they end even on points with a victory or tie on Wednesday.

- The Chicago Red Stars enter the game on a four game unbeaten streak.

- The Atlanta Beat are last in the league in both offense and defense, but feature high-scoring Eniola Aluko who is tied for 4th in the league in goals after her transfer from Saint Louis Athletica.

- The Chicago Red Stars are sixth in team offense, but lead the WPS in team defense giving up just 11 goals in 14 games.

- The Red Stars are currently tied for the last remaining playoff position with the Washington Freedom at 17 points.

Saturday, July 24

Philadelphia Independence vs. Sky Blue FC (7pm ET)

John A. Farrell Stadium, West Chester, PA

- This will be the first game as head coach for Rick Stainton for Sky Blue FC after they split with first year coach Pauliina Miettinen on Monday.

- The teams currently sit at number two and three in the WPS standings respectively, but Philadelphia has dominated the I-95 rivalry so far, going 2-0, outscoring Sky Blue FC 6-2 in the two previous wins.

- Both clubs are coming off losses last week in WPS action and are winless in the month of July.

- - Amy Rodriguez returns to the line-up for Philadelphia after scoring a goal for the U.S Women's National Team against Sweden.

Saturday, July 24

Washington Freedom vs. FC Gold Pride (7pm ET)

Maryland SoccerPlex, Boyds, MD

- This will be the third and final meeting between Washington and FC Gold Pride this season, but the first at Maryland SoccerPlex.

- FC Gold Pride's Marta currently leads the WPS in scoring with 10 goals in 14 games.

- Abby Wambach, 4th in the WPS goal-scoring race, returns to duty for the Freedom after two goals against Sweden for the U.S National Team in their 3-0 victory. She currently leads the WPS in assists with 7.

- FC Gold Pride leads WPS in offense and stands second in team defense.

- FC Gold Pride's Christine Sinclair is coming off a two-goal performance last week. She is currently tied with Amy Rodriguez for second in goals scored.

- Mia Hamm will be on hand for a special celebration as the Washington Freedom honors one of its former greats.

Sunday, July 25

Chicago Red Stars vs. Boston Breakers (6pm ET)

Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL

- This will be the third and final game between the two teams with the Chicago Red Stars already winning the season series 2-0.

- Both teams will be on four days rest due to Wednesday games.

- Ella Masar of the Red Stars is currently tied for sixth in WPS scoring with four goals.

- Chicago's Jillian Loyden is second in goals against average and tied for second in shutouts this season.

- Boston will look to continue its offensive onslaught. They set a WPS record with three goals in five minutes last week against the Atlanta Beat.

- Following Boston's previous loss to Chicago, the team won three games in a row heading into Wednesday night's clash with FC Gold Pride.



Women's Professional Soccer Stories from July 20, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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