5.2.09 LA Sol vs. Boston Breakers

[Merlin777]

Time to swith gears and focus on our next opponent - Boston Breakers.

Think this is going to be great match as both teams will be at full strength and each side has quite a bit of offensive firepower. This will be real test for defense on both sides - can we keep our clean sheet record perfect?? (unlikely given kelly smith and a-rod)

I like our defense even better after watching what the Freedom and Wambaugh did to shred the Pride defense last night for four goals. Then Pride gave it right back and shredded the Freedom defenders for three the other way. So far we have not seen our Sol defense taken apart like that (which is a good thing).

Keys to Boston game:
1. contain kelly smith
2. control the midfield

Your thoughts??

[Tsunami]

I've felt that viewing our back 4 (Boxx at d-mid) was like watching some high wire acts - looking shaky at times but somehow managing to not fall off. And watching the way the Pride moved the ball around shows that our offense still has a way to go.

Having said that, I get the feeling that our coaching staff knows how to show the players where to position themselves for defense of both set-pieces and run-of-play attacks. And I think that the technique will get better as the season wears on. The offense doesn't have very far to go before it really hits it's stride - again, just having more time to get to know each other should do the trick.

[Merlin777]

Agree that Pride forwards are dangerous, moved the ball around very well against us and really stretched our defense (mostly in 1H from what I saw). They are tough to defend against - think this is their style of play which can be a challenge.....really evident in the Pride/Wash Freedom TV match where this approach really paid dividends for them with 3 goals.

Still think one of the keys to upcoming game this wkend with Breakers will be how each team's defense does against some very talented forwards for both sides - i.e. how well can Sol contain Kelly Smith versus how well can Breakers defend against Marta. Because at end of the day, can't win without scoring some goals. I like the way our keeper (LeBlanc) playing for us so think that gives Sol an edge.

Lot of players back now, would you start Martina Franco again and can she go a full 90 min's?

BTW - weather outlook is partial rain conditions and low 60's.

[Tsunami]

I don't know why, but I get this feeling that the game may turn into a shoot-out - just like a lot of the old Breaker-Spirit games did in the WUSA. But just like SD seemed to have the upper hand on Boston most of the time, I think that the Sol will come out on top.

[kolabear]

Lineups on Matchtracker. I'm assuming it got the players right even if it's totally wrong on their positions (Abily and Boxx in the defensive four?)

Marta
Han Duan
Aly Wagner
Aya Miyama
Camille Abily
Shannon Boxx
Manya Makoski
Martina Franko
Brittany Bock
Stephanie Cox
Karina LeBlanc

Franko apparently in for Allison Falk; Kendall Fletcher remains nowhere to be seen.

On the Boston side, A-Rod is missing from the starting lineup with Schmedes and Latham up front instead.

[kolabear]

On the Boston side, no switches on the defense even though Boston got torched last week in Chicago:
Luckinbill in goal
Heather Mitts
Sue Weber
Amy LePeilbet
Alex Scott

As I noted prior to this, A-Rod isn't listed in the starting lineup. Instead Schmedes and Latham start.

Stacy Bishop stays in at midfield - good for her! Liked her at Florida! Started last week with Kelly Smith out but still gets the start this week, apparently in place of Kasey Moore.

Midfield:
Smith
Bishop
Kristine Lilly
Angela Hucles

[SiberianThunderT]

o.O
I'm watching matchtraker - Breakers goal in the 2nd minute from across midfield WHAT?

[snipoppers16]

My thoughts exactly.

[SiberianThunderT]

Matchtracker stats:
I know we're only 15min in or so, but Boston seems to be outshooting LA 6-1, though the three goalie kicks in succession for Boston at least suggest LA is applying good pressure

[snipoppers16]

They fixed the matchtracker. I'm a little disappointed...mostly b/c I wanted WPS (as much as I loathe Boston) to get some publicity with a ridiculous goal.

Edit:
Looks like they gave the assist to Schmedes instead of Mitts. I thought that Mitts being productive seemed a little suspect.

[SiberianThunderT]

ouch >.<''
2-0 now; I'll be quite surprised if LA can dig out of this.... =-(

-edit, 8min later-
2-1 now; I stand corrected, this could fix itself

[REALfootballRulez]

Who scored the goals?? It doesn't say yet on WPS.com. Boston got over 8K attendance which is better than you guys have done except opening day but I heard they gave away quite a few tickets for that game.

[Anadinho]

Smith and Lilly for boston. Bock for LA
And yeah it sounds a great attendance even if some tickets were given away

[Eleanor]

Boston goals by Kelly Smith and Kristin Lilly.

LA squandered chances with offsides and off target shots. Back line seemed to be attacked on Cox's side. Is she a weak link? Team needs to broaden offensive so it is not the Marta show. Build other threats, which might help free Marta up.

[SiberianThunderT]

They're on the Matchtracker: Kelly Smith, Kristine Lilly, Brittany Bock (in that order)

[Older And Bolder]

Congrats to Breakers. Smith confirms her Player of the Month status.
If Falk wasn't injured/ill then she should have started instead of either Cox or Franco.
In my imagination since we only have Matchtracker:
Was Duan jetlagged?
Marta has to come back to get the ball because other midfielders/forwards too slow?? except Larkin who was subbed.
Were Marta's crosses in vain because Boxx is too slow to crash the box??

[REALfootballRulez]

I'm surprised LeBlanc gave up TWO goals because she's been a rock all season and L.A.'s defense has been good too. I figured her scoreless streak would end and she'd let in one but since Luckenbill is the weaker goalie I thought Marta, Abily, Wagner, Miyama, Duan, etc. would be able to put a couple past her.

[soccermavin]

I am sure the turf was a problem for the Sol. Even when you practice all week on turf the Breakers had an advantage, things may be different next week in LA on natural grass & bigger field.

[Crossley]

Smith and Lilly for boston. Bock for LA
And yeah it sounds a great attendance even if some tickets were given away

Not sure what the original poster was referring to. Outside of complimentary tickets mandated for the player pass lists, there were well under 200 comps issued by Boston for last night's game. The organization is very disciplined and conservative with regard to comp tickets.

The gate was bolstered by a fantastic turnout of local Brazilian fans. Our modest shipment of a few dozen Marta/Sol t-shirts sold out before kickoff.

Great crowd, terrific game. The Sol really put the pressure on at the end and it was a tense final ten minutes. Looking forward to the re-match next week in L.A.

Andy Crossley
Boston Breakers F.O.

[Merlin777]

Sounds like it was a good game and good battle - congrats to Boston for the 8,000 fans! Should be great re-match in LA next wkend.

Watching matchtracker and the stats it provided, Boston seemed to dominate the 1H with better possession and shots (8 to 4 advantage) and then switched around in 2H with Sol taking more shots and being more dangerous. End of game was probably wild with Boston bunkering in and Sol getting multiple opportunities.

Not sure what happened to our defense, but clearly we couldn't contain Smith or Lilly as they got multiple shots and scoring opportunities....which ultimately they made Sol pay for.