LA Sol 1, FC Gold Pride 0: Marta, Sol Defense Post Another Shutout

Sunday, busy Sunday.

Crowds flocked to the beaches. Staples Center saw the Lakers begin their postseason run. The Angels were still reeling from the loss of pitcher Nick Adenhart. Manny was just being Manny donning Dodger Blue.

The Anaheim Ducks were on a suicide mission in San Jose and Long Beach was hosting the Toyota Grand Prix as part of the Indy Racing League Circuit.

And the Los Angeles Sol were returning home to take on FC Gold Pride at the Home Depot Center.

In a contest that saw the visitors from Silicon Valley escape several bullets, there was one that got to Albertin Montoya's club.

And that shot came at the feet of Marta Vieira da Silva.

The number 10 for the Sol broke through in the 47th minute off a feed by Aly Wagner to blast one past Gold Pride keeper Nicole Barnhart to secure a 1-0 victory for Abner Rogers's Sol.

“Marta made a great run and was in the gap,” said Wagner on Marta's goal. “I played a ball over the backline into an open space and she did a great job finishing it.

"Aly gave me a great pass and put me in a position to score," said Marta on her strike. We’ve connected several times during training and it was great that we got one today that was the difference in the game."

“It was a series of great passes that led to her goal," said Rogers after the match. "When she got behind the backline, I knew she was going to get a shot on goal.

"Marta is just so explosive.” 

The Brazilian international's goal was the catalyst behind adjustments made in the second half, according to Wagner. "[The weather today] was hot and we were lethargic in the first half. We had bad movement, bad everything. 

"In the second half we changed our formation and got a little wind under our sails.  We came out sharper and crisper.  I think that helped open the game up.”

In truth, the scoreline was a bit flattering for the Pride.

A warning shot by Aly Wagner in the third minute would be a sign of things to come.

Dismal capitalization from the delivery inside the penalty box, combined with a number of would-be goals called back due to offside penalties, made the final result more merciful than it should have been.

Aya Miyama seemed had it the roughest among the midfielders. The Japanese national, formerly of Okayama Yunugo Belle, fell short in her finishes and her delivery.

Defensively, Los Angeles were clutch in marking the FC Gold Pride trio of Christine Sinclair, Eriko Arakawa and Leslie Osborne.

But while Stephanie Cox, Brittany Bock, Allison Faulk and goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc held firm in maintaining their third straight shutout, the Pride shot themselves in the foot by not taking advantage of the chances laid before them.

In the eighth minute, Osborne had chance to give Gold Pride the lead, but her shot hit the side netting.

In the 30th minute, a Gold Pride player seemed to be impeded by LeBlanc, but no penalty was given by referee Veronica Brito.

And in the 72nd minute, a shot by Sinclair was easily grabbed by LeBlanc.

“[Our third consecutive shutout is] a testament to how well our entire team has played defensively," LeBlanc said following the match. "When our team defends as well as we have lately, it makes my job a lot easier.”

Rogers was pleased with the atmosphere from those who came out to the Home Depot Center. “It was great to see the excitement today. There were a lot of great scoring opportunities for both teams. You usually don’t see that type of excitement in a 1-0 game.”

With the victory, Los Angeles improves to 3-0 for the season, while FC Gold Pride fall to 1-1-1. 

Next week, the Sol travel to Hermann Stadium to take on St. Louis Athletica on Saturday, April 25 at 4:00 PM ET. FC Gold Pride will play host to the Washington Freedom on Sunday, April 26 at Buck Shaw Stadium at 6:00 PM ET. 

Los Angeles Sol 1
Marta 47' (Assist: Wagner)

FC Gold Pride 0

Yellow Cards: Wagner (LA) 10'

Officials

Referee: Veronica Brito
Asst. Referee: Adam Brugman; Maurizio Laudani
Fourth Official: Felisha Mariscal