Thoughts on the United States’ 2-1 Victory Over China October 2, 2010
Posted by Chris Henderson in Abby Wambach, Amy Rodriguez, International Friendlies, Kristine Lilly, Lauren Cheney, Pia Sundhage, Shannon Boxx, USWNT, WNT.6 comments
Megan Rapinoe Was Sensational for the U.S. in Saturday's Win
The Good
-The Real Megan Rapinoe was on the pitch in Atlanta on Saturday night. Chicago Red Stars fans are probably cursing their fate as the jaded and inconsistent player of WPS form was nowhere in sight on Saturday. This Rapinoe was a constant terror down the left (or right when she switched flanks with HAO), making surging runs down the flank or cutting inside while also defending well from the front, forcing some of the Chinese defenders into mistakes. Rapinoe took her goal well to give the U.S the early lead and had an opportunity to add a second in the second half that was kicked away by Chinese keeper Huang Luna.
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Thoughts on the United States' 2-1 Victory Over China October 2, 2010
Posted by Chris Henderson in Abby Wambach, Amy Rodriguez, International Friendlies, Kristine Lilly, Lauren Cheney, Pia Sundhage, Shannon Boxx, USWNT, WNT.6 comments
Megan Rapinoe Was Sensational for the U.S. in Saturday's Win
The Good
-The Real Megan Rapinoe was on the pitch in Atlanta on Saturday night. Chicago Red Stars fans are probably cursing their fate as the jaded and inconsistent player of WPS form was nowhere in sight on Saturday. This Rapinoe was a constant terror down the left (or right when she switched flanks with HAO), making surging runs down the flank or cutting inside while also defending well from the front, forcing some of the Chinese defenders into mistakes. Rapinoe took her goal well to give the U.S the early lead and had an opportunity to add a second in the second half that was kicked away by Chinese keeper Huang Luna.
(more…)
We’re Entering the 347th Minute and It’s Still Scoreless… September 19, 2010
Posted by Jenna Pel in Amy Rodriguez, Philadelphia Independence, Washington Freedom, WPS.2 comments
Photo courtesy of Howard C. Smith/isiphotos.com
The Philadelphia/Washington match-up was always going to be characterized by one adjective: laborious. And was it ever.
Both teams worked hard throughout the 120 minutes (more on this in a bit). But perhaps it was the viewer who worked the hardest, as there were many sequences in the match that rigorously tested one’s attention span. Possession kept getting knotted up in midfield and neither team managed to find a consistent rhythm. And then there were the missed chances. Dozens of them, it seemed.
Washington had a decent first half and controlled the flanks reasonably well. Philadelphia, on the other hand, were dead set on sending the ball up the middle and hoping that Amy Rodriguez could convert something out of nothing. Still, neither side looked very threatening.
The second half resumed and Washington vowed to play in a more attacking formation, subbing off fullback Becca Moros for forward Lene Mykjaland at the half. Anita Asante was shifted from midfield to the back line. Despite Asante’s best efforts, Washington paid dearly for this. Philadelphia was the aggressor for the rest of the match. Amy Rodriguez, Tina DiMartino and Caroline Seger troubled Washington’s back four and would have easily put the game to bed had it not been for one person: the USWNT’s #1 in waiting, Ashlyn Harris.
Sensing trouble, Jim Gabarra demoted the industrious and dependable Sonia Bompastor to left-back. She made three tremendous saves that rivaled the brilliant work of her goalkeeper and kept the Freedom alive. Abby Wambach was uncharacteristically anonymous in the second interval, as was Nikki Marshall.
It’s never good when a team’s goalkeeper gets more time on the ball than a team’s star striker. But the Freedom were in good hands. The rookie Harris seemed utterly unflappable, even as her back line continued to falter. By the end of the second half, Washington’s defense had apparently sent out a hospitable invitation to Philadelphia’s front six players for tea and biscuits in the final third. But Harris wasn’t having any of it. Her one-handed aerial stop of Lori Lindsey’s close-range effort could have perhaps won the game.
The score remained 0-0 at the end of regulation. 30 minutes of extra time would commence and perhaps it was tired legs or maybe a lapse of concentration, but both teams seemed content with penalty kicks. The intensity that characterized the match for much of the second half had cooled down considerably. Philadelphia kept on the attack, albeit at a much slower clip while Washington’s attack remained non-existent.
And then it happened. 120′ after the first whistle indicated kick off and 30 seconds before the final whistle would indicate penalty kicks, Amy Rodriguez totally pulled an Abby Wambach. Tina DiMartino slipped Rodriguez a pass in the box and Rodriguez calmly put it past Harris. Rodriguez had been frustrated by either Harris, the post or poor technique throughout the entire game. But not at that moment. She snapped her six-week goal-scoring drought with what will surely be one of the most significant goals of her life.
Rodriguez’s 12 regular season goals proved she’s no fluke. Her team’s surprising postseason appearance proved that she isn’t damaged goods. Her extra time goal to send her team through to the penultimate match before the WPS Championship game proves that she’s a stellar striker who can change games when it matters most. That’s what elite athletes do and in this moment, Amy Rodriguez is a member of the elite.
And if things go her way in five days, perhaps Tony DiCicco will agree.
We're Entering the 347th Minute and It's Still Scoreless… September 19, 2010
Posted by Jenna Pel in Amy Rodriguez, Philadelphia Independence, Washington Freedom, WPS.2 comments
Photo courtesy of Howard C. Smith/isiphotos.com
The Philadelphia/Washington match-up was always going to be characterized by one adjective: laborious. And was it ever.
Both teams worked hard throughout the 120 minutes (more on this in a bit). But perhaps it was the viewer who worked the hardest, as there were many sequences in the match that rigorously tested one’s attention span. Possession kept getting knotted up in midfield and neither team managed to find a consistent rhythm. And then there were the missed chances. Dozens of them, it seemed.
Washington had a decent first half and controlled the flanks reasonably well. Philadelphia, on the other hand, were dead set on sending the ball up the middle and hoping that Amy Rodriguez could convert something out of nothing. Still, neither side looked very threatening.
The second half resumed and Washington vowed to play in a more attacking formation, subbing off fullback Becca Moros for forward Lene Mykjaland at the half. Anita Asante was shifted from midfield to the back line. Despite Asante’s best efforts, Washington paid dearly for this. Philadelphia was the aggressor for the rest of the match. Amy Rodriguez, Tina DiMartino and Caroline Seger troubled Washington’s back four and would have easily put the game to bed had it not been for one person: the USWNT’s #1 in waiting, Ashlyn Harris.
Sensing trouble, Jim Gabarra demoted the industrious and dependable Sonia Bompastor to left-back. She made three tremendous saves that rivaled the brilliant work of her goalkeeper and kept the Freedom alive. Abby Wambach was uncharacteristically anonymous in the second interval, as was Nikki Marshall.
It’s never good when a team’s goalkeeper gets more time on the ball than a team’s star striker. But the Freedom were in good hands. The rookie Harris seemed utterly unflappable, even as her back line continued to falter. By the end of the second half, Washington’s defense had apparently sent out a hospitable invitation to Philadelphia’s front six players for tea and biscuits in the final third. But Harris wasn’t having any of it. Her one-handed aerial stop of Lori Lindsey’s close-range effort could have perhaps won the game.
The score remained 0-0 at the end of regulation. 30 minutes of extra time would commence and perhaps it was tired legs or maybe a lapse of concentration, but both teams seemed content with penalty kicks. The intensity that characterized the match for much of the second half had cooled down considerably. Philadelphia kept on the attack, albeit at a much slower clip while Washington’s attack remained non-existent.
And then it happened. 120′ after the first whistle indicated kick off and 30 seconds before the final whistle would indicate penalty kicks, Amy Rodriguez totally pulled an Abby Wambach. Tina DiMartino slipped Rodriguez a pass in the box and Rodriguez calmly put it past Harris. Rodriguez had been frustrated by either Harris, the post or poor technique throughout the entire game. But not at that moment. She snapped her six-week goal-scoring drought with what will surely be one of the most significant goals of her life.
Rodriguez’s 12 regular season goals proved she’s no fluke. Her team’s surprising postseason appearance proved that she isn’t damaged goods. Her extra time goal to send her team through to the penultimate match before the WPS Championship game proves that she’s a stellar striker who can change games when it matters most. That’s what elite athletes do and in this moment, Amy Rodriguez is a member of the elite.
And if things go her way in five days, perhaps Tony DiCicco will agree.
Rodriguez, Philadelphia Continue To Write Story of the Season June 27, 2010
Posted by Jenna Pel in Amy Rodriguez, Philadelphia Independence.1 comment so far
Last night’s stunning comeback victory against the Washington Freedom added yet another twist to the fantastic tale that is that of the Philadelphia Independence. The 3-2 win elevates the Indies/PHIINDY/the Cheesesteaks’ to 21 points, just one point behind FC Gold Pride who host Sky Blue FC in a few hours. The victory also furthers the chasm in the standings between them and the Washington Freedom who are now five points behind Philadelphia.
The Freedom’s disastrous second-half collapse in which they conceded all three goals is an indicator of just how dangerous this Philadelphia team can be. After a flat first half that saw both Lene Mykaland score after just 45 seconds and Abby Wambach bury a penalty, Philadelphia came roaring back with inspiration and endeavor. Amy Rodriguez hit two goals in quick succession before Lianne Sanderson beat Erin McLeod in the 92’. Their efforts were duly rewarded as they earned their fourth result in five matches.
If there’s one player who deserves the spoils of this victory, it has to be Amy Rodriguez. After all, she scored Philadelphia’s opening two goals in trademark A-Rod fashion. For the first, Tina DiMartino found Rodriguez behind the defense and the striker made the most of it with a one-timed left-footed shot across goal. Just ten minutes later, Jen Buczkowski found Rodriguez over the top once again. After a touch, Rodriguez dispatched a low shot into the back of the net.
All White Kit 