Los Angeles Sol 1, Sky Blue FC 0: Friday Night Marta Magic

(Photo courtesy of Michael Janosz, isiphotos.com)

The Los Angeles Sol were in desperate need of getting back on the winning track after two points from their last three matches.

80 minutes passed before Marta eluded her marker to bring home a 1-0 victory for Abner Rogers' club over Sky Blue FC on Friday night at the Home Depot Center.

The match, dedicated to the memory of Sol fan Hugo Bustamante, featured a silent auction in Sol City among its events, but there was nothing silent about the action on the pitch and in the stands.

The Sol threatened as early as the 11th minute, with Aya Miyama and Aly Wagner attempting to break the deadlock. Ten minutes later, Han Duan tried to feed Wagner, but her shot was well out of danger for Sky Blue FC goalkeeper Jenni Branham.

In the 80th minute, Camille Abily delivered a long ball to the Brazilian international, splitting two defenders to tap one past Branham.

Sky Blue had a big opportunity to equalize the game, but Megan Schnur's shot missed the left post by mere inches.

Los Angeles had twice as many shots on goal as Sky Blue FC (6 to 3). Sol keeper Karina LeBlanc, who acknowledged the crowd following the match, made five saves compared to three.

The passing could have made the margin bigger, but six offside calls compared to two for Sky Blue FC held the home side back.

"It was a close battle and each team had opportunities, we had better opportunities in the first half, but we just didn't capitalize," said a relieved Rogers following the match. "But, at the end of the game, we scored the goal that mattered.

"We had a great fan base tonight; the fans really got to see an exciting match and we were able to reward them with three points."

As for Marta, the Bachman-Turner Overdrive song "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet" came to mind. The title, that is.

"Even though it was an individual play that I scored the goal on, it was the result of a lot of hard work by a lot of my teammates," Marta said following the match. "We have a lot of players who are just getting used to one another; the goals will come."

The 6,115 who came to Victoria Street hope that the team makes good on her promise.
"Overall, we were unlucky not to come away with a win," said a disappointed Sawyers after the match. "The difference was Marta's breakaway that led to the only goal of the game.

"We didn't play well in the first half, so we made some adjustments at halftime and dominated a large part of the second half. Overall, we are disappointed, but the team played well."

Maybe too well.

Late in the contest, Sky Blue FC forward Natasha Kai, in an effort to equalize Marta's third goal of the season, collided with LeBlanc and needed to be carried off the field after suffering what looked to be a serious injury.

Sky Blue FC will hit the road again to face the Washington Breakers on Saturday, May 23 at 4:30PM ET at RFK Stadium. The Sol will be in action on Sunday, May 24 at Buck Shaw Stadium to face FC Gold Pride. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00PM ET, and will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel.

05.15.2009
Carson, Calif., - The Home Depot Center

Los Angeles Sol - Sky Blue FC 1:0 (0:0)
                           1     2     F
Los Angeles     0     1     1
NY-NJ     0     0     0

Scoring Summary
LA - Marta 80' (Camille Abily)

Lineups
Los Angeles Sol: Karina LeBlanc; Brittany Bock, Allison Falk, Martina Franko, Stephanie Cox; Camille Abily, Shannon Boxx (c), Aya Miyama, Aly Wagner (61: Liz Bogus); Han Duan, Marta.

Sky Blue FC: Jenni Brenham; Christie Rampone (c), Anita Asante, Megan Schnur, Julianne Sitch; Kelly Parker, Collette McCallum (58: Yael Averbuch), Keeley Dowling; Natasha Kai (84: Jen Buczkowski), Heather O'Reilly, Rosana (67: Kasey White).

Misconduct Summary
NONE

Statistics LA / NJ-NY
Shots: 11(8) / 14(5)
Shots on Goal: 6(4) / 3(3)
Saves: 5(4) / 3(3)
Fouls: 5(3) / 9(6)
Corners: 0(0) / 3(1)
Offside: 6(3) / 2(1)

Referee: Margaret Domka
SAR: Colin Alabaster
JAR: Adam Brugman
4th Official: Francisco Orozco
Attendance: 6,115
Weather: Clear and 65 degrees