View from the Pali, Volume 23: Blues Get Back on Winning Track

Charlie Naimo's Los Angeles Blues may not be pulling their weight this season in USL PRO, but as for their female counterparts the Pali Blues, it's back to business as usual.

In spite of dropping two points on the road to the Vancouver Whitecaps, they were back on the winning track on June 27 in a comeback 2-1 victory over the Caps at the Stadium by the Sea on the campus of Palisades Charter High School in Los Angeles.

After an early lead by Vancouver's Jenna Richardson in the seventh minute, Pali's Michelle Pao brought the match on level terms in the 28th minute. In the 35th minute, the Blues's Danielle Hubka received a cross from Lynn Williams and scored the eventual game-winner.

The next two home matches for Pali took place at Titan Stadium, on the campus of California State University, Fullerton in Fullerton, Calif. While the LA Blues have had issues winning at Titan, it wasn't the case for Pali who pasted the Colorado Rapids, 5-0 on July 6.

Williams bagged a hat trick in the 49th, 70th and 90th minute of play. Other goal scorers that contributed to the shutout include Sarah Huffman (28') and Whitney Engen (52').

The Colorado Rush put up a much better fight against the Blues on July 8 but still got shut out, 2-0. Williams continued her hot streak with a 16th-minute goal, while Huffman added a second in the 88th minute of play.

"We deserved two goals," Naimo told BluesSoccerClub.com. "We could do better at finishing our chances, but our defense was good, we only allowed two shots, and we have to keep focusing on playing good defense. That's what wins championships."

Gee, you don't suppose the men could learn something from the women in terms of executing, eh Charlie?

Pali concludes their regular season on July 15 with a match against the Seattle Sounders at the Stadium by the Sea. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET.