Freedom-Pride Week Five Thriller Set for Primetime Re-Air on FSC

Todd CivinApr 28, 2009

Press Release by Women's Professional Soccer League Reprinted by Request

The signature game of the young WPS season to date—a thrilling 4-3 victory by the Washington Freedom in stoppage time over the FC Gold Pride—has been designated as an instant classic and will be re-aired in prime-time by Fox Soccer Channel on Friday, May 1 at 11pm EST/8pm Pacific.

The game featured an explosion of goals in the last 20 minutes and several exciting offensive plays throughout the match.

“We are pleased that our fans have another prime-time opportunity to watch this game on Fox Soccer Channel,” said Commissioner Tonya Antonucci. “The quality of soccer in WPS has been tremendous so far in the first five weeks and this game was indicative of what we’ve seen. Both teams turned in a tremendous performance on the field.”

Weekend Report

Ending their three-game winning streak, the Los Angeles Sol came away with their first draw of the season in a 0-0 match against Saint Louis Athletica, Saturday, April 25.

The game came down to the keepers, with Saint Louis Athletica’s Hope Solo closing down Aly Wagner’s penalty kick in the 73rd minute and Sol goalkeeper, Karina LeBlanc maintaining her blank slate for the season on a blocked penalty kick from Lori Chalupny in the 83rd minute.

Angie Woznuk nearly scored in the closing minutes of the game for Saint Louis with an upper left shot. However, LeBlanc made a spectacular reaching save to secure the 0-0 tie.

After a nil-nil tie with Sky Blue FC two weekends ago, the Chicago Red Stars came out with a vengeance on Saturday and smashed the Boston Breakers. In a 4-0 match, the Red Stars offense hit its rhythm with goals from Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe, Karen Carney, and Brittany Klein, who also notched two assists during the game.

Chicago outshot Boston 20-8. The Breakers were only able to create some late scoring opportunities, but Chicago keeper, Caroline Jonsson secured her third shutout this season.

Abby Wambach posted her long-awaited first goal of the season in the Washington Freedom’s 4-3 victory over FC Gold Pride, Sunday, April 26. However, Wambach did not stop there.

She later secured the game-clinching goal with a header off of Cat Whitehill’s free kick, the same play that resulted in her first goal, in the 90th minute of the match. The Freedom and FC Gold Pride headed into the second half with a 1-1 tie, but Washington soon put away two goals from Lori Lindsey and Allie Long.

The Bay Area responded with two goals in a twelve minute span of play to tie the match before Wambach scored the game-winner.

Line Up Notables

Karina LeBlanc and Hope Solo played significant roles in the Los Angeles Sol vs. Saint Louis Athletica tie match, Saturday. Each posted a penalty kick save and closed down every opportunity the other team had for a goal. The game also saw LeBlanc secure her fourth shut out this season.

The Washington Freedom’s Abby Wambach tallied not one, but two goals, on Sunday against FC Gold Pride to get on the score sheet for the first time this season. With two outstanding headers right past Bay Area keeper, Nicole Barnhart, and an assist to Lori Lindsey, Wambach was the most notable player of this match.

Chicago Red Stars midfielder, Brittany Klein, posted a goal and two assists in her team’s 4-0 victory over Boston. Klein generated outstanding offensive play for the Red Stars, scoring the fourth goal and assisting Megan Rapinoe and Karen Carney. She helped lead her team forward into the second place of league standings.