Los Angeles Sol 1, Sky Blue FC 0: A Play-By-Play (And Other Miscellany)

Photo couresy of Michael Janosz | isiphotos.com

T-78 minutes to kickoff: The National Anthem Warm-up.
Friday night football. WPS style. Los Angeles Sol vs. Sky Blue FC. Televised by Universal Sports.

Who?

Universal Sports, by the way, are the guys responsible for the coverage of the Beijing 2008 Olympics by NBC. So seeing these guys cover the WPS is a real treat.

Well, I brought out the laptop for this one, but I forgot to bring an Ethernet cord. Crap. I was going to complete a little more coursework. “Midnight Flyer” by the Eagles is playing.

Anyway, Sky Blue FC is on Cloud Nine this week. Oh crap, that song was playing on my laptop speakers. Toned it down. 

Sky Blue FC's 2-0 breakthrough victory over the Chicago Red Stars, combined with St. Louis Athletica's victory over FC Gold Pride, confirmed the parity of this league.

T-68: The Sol, meanwhile, are in dire straits after an unimpressive two points from the last two matches. Many LA fans feel that the match against the Boston Breakers was taken away from them.

But it was poor finishing and unlucky ricochets off the woodwork that consigned the Sol to a scoreless draw. Even Han Duan looked all too human.

So I have heard.

T-64: Sky Blue FC, managed by Ian Sawyers, is led by forward Natasha Kai and midfielder/forward Heather O'Reilly. Kai, a product of Pinsoom Tenzing's Hawaii Rainbow Wahine program, was instrumental in the team's victory over Chicago. O'Reilly, one of many in the WPS who have passed through Anson Dorrance's North Carolina Tar Heels, is known for her delivery on the corners.

T-57: Han Duan (groin) and Manya Makoski (right knee) will likely start. Sky Blue FC, meanwhile, has no issues with injuries, and will go at full strength with their captain Christie Rampone leading the pitch.

T-53: Switching to some nonleague podcast fluff from the BBC.

T-49: Both teams going through preliminaries.

T-42: Tonight we are commemorating the memory of Hugo Bustamante, a Sol supporter whose life was taken away cruelly in a murder-suicide in Long Beach. Somewhere out in heaven, Hugo has taken his seat in the sky.

T-40: I want Rachel Alexandra to win the Preakness. Nuff said.

T-38: Watching random footage from the Spanish networks while nibbling on light concessions.

T-35: The fans continue to file in.

T-32: We have a decent amount of Sky Blue fans in attendance today. I tell you, the Sol are going to come out focused to finish for once.
T-27: I have grabbed a helping of cookies for this game. I'm not in a very pleased mood, to begin with. Sure, I could tolerate the Ducks losing in 7 to the Red Wings, but Houston forcing a Game 7 against the Lakers? We oughta trade Andrew Bynum if he screws up again.

T-25: The Goodyear blimp flies overhead, while a high school marching band gets ready to take their seats. “Circus” by Britney Spears plays. Ugh. The wench...

T-23: Now taking a look at some horses running around Hollywood Park. It would be a shame if they decide to close the place down. I will miss that place in Inglewood.

T-21: Max Bretos is here. Aw damn. This IS a big one. Just kidding. A lookalike, though.
Both teams head back to the change rooms for their final debriefings.

T-16: Let it be known that me and Media Overflow go hand in hand. All that I am worried about is how I am going to get home. It's going to be via the Metro, but which one? Hmmm...

This is why I should have brought an Ethernet cord. I could have found out the itinerary.

T-13: I get a treat: watching the telecast from Universal Sports, combined with live action on the field. Heh.

So this is what they do: they shoot the pregame footage beforehand, before going ahead with live action. Aha. I see what they did here. The logic clicks and clacks.

T-10: And here come the guests who make up the talent team.

T-4: Made a friendly wager with Mike Iwamasa that we would take it 2-0. A friendly wager, that.

T-3: Margaret Domka will officiate our match tonight, with Colin Arblaster and Adam Brugman our linesmen. Francisco Orozco is our fourth official. In a little twist: we have Arturo Angeles as our US Soccer Assessor for the match.

T-1: Tricia Bramante with our national anthem. A rousing redition.

Kickoff start: 7:38 PM

1' – Here we go. It's Friday Night Football under the lights. Sky Blue will be in their orange road kits, while the Sol wears blue. Yep, that band from the Inaugural Game is back. Universal Sports messed up the coaching records, too. Ayayay...

Sky Blue FC attacking...foul on LA. McCallum takes first set piece of match. Heh. Two different angles.

2' – A great save by Karina LeBlanc.
Trying to feed Marta, but too long a pass. Branham with a goal kick.

3' – Duan with the sweater, as the band's drumline plays.

67 degrees, 65% humidity, and clear. Perfect Friday night soccer weather.

4' – Trying to find Miyama, but Branham takes that one. In the last meeting, the Sol won 2-0.

5' – Sunny Shark met his match. Cowbell...defeated!

6' – Falk has to clear that corner away. “I Remember” plays.

7' – Another solid save from LeBlanc. They are coming after her early, Sky Blue FC are.

8' – Speak of Moctezuma, the Angel City Brigade are here! Where the hell have you been, you punks? I say that with a wink and a wry grin.

9' – It's a big question to ask: can the Sol get back into form after three miserable outings?

10' – A good turnout today. Ha. I now see where the camera is, and the transmission it's going to.

11' – Again, the miserable finishing continues. Have mercy, Miss Percy.

11' – Branham needed to get to that ball...and she is hurt. Ouch. The replay showed that Marta put a cleat on her head.

12 ' - A little breather for Abner Rogers' side. He's now in his suit. Which, to be honest, is a norm for all football managers out there.

13' – The artificial flatulence is killing me here. There's gonna be some stoppage time added for sure. Oh God, not Jason Mraz! Can we play on, please?

14' – Thank you, Ms. Domka.

15' – The Solpporters are getting restless. It's another offside for LA.

16' – And again...ladies and gentlemen, the physics of the Puma ball. LeBlanc asks for a push forward. Amounts to nothing. Another offsides.

17' – The Senate cadence now playing from the band.

18' – Good intention from Marta, but that was off. And just who won the Nutrilife promotion? (Not like I really care anyway?) Gotta split that thing four ways, now...

19' – The band gets some seconds of fame. And yet another poor finish. What the bloody heck is going on here with the poor finishes from the Sol?

20' – And we have another drum ensemble showing up. I tell you, these guys have to join forces. Seriously.

21' – Great tackle from Camille Abily.

22' – Good footwork from Han Duan....a good defensive tackle from Karen Dowling...and another bad shot missing the mark. Story so far this match.

23' – And here is another save from Karine LeBlanc.

24' - “Gonna Fly Now” plays from the band.

25' – Good defensive marking on Marta by Sky Blue FC. This has been a wide-open affair. Both sides, pressing for that first goal...

25' – Marta, trying to find Han while staying onsides, but Branham scoops that up.

26' – So far the Sol have been on the offensive.

26' - Abily engaging in a midfield war with Sky Blue FC, Kelly Parker and the like.

27' – A diving save from Branham.

27' -  And it looks like Natasha Kai is hurt. It has been one of those physical matches tonight. First, Branham got a knock, and now it's Kai who is feeling a bit woozy. She gets up, though.

Love those tattoos.

29' – Here we go again. Sol resetting. Kai returns to the field.

30' – Danger here for Sky Blue, but Shannox Boxx's shot does not threaten. Goal kick.

31' – Han's shot easy pickings for Branham.

32' – Here's an interesting thing: the June 13 match featuring these two will go live on Universal. Marta marked again magnificently by the Orange Army that is Sky Blue FC.

33' – Sky Blue, now on the offensive...but the Sol defense is there.

34' – The fans continue to wait. Chippy tackling on Abily...play continues.

35' – Anita Asante...is that a horsecollar tackle on Marta? Sure looked like it...

36' – And yet another offside. Jesus H. Christ, this is turning into a broken record.

37' – A one-timer from Abily, and another save from Branham.

38' – The Sol have been racking up the shots...but no goals to account for it.

39' – Too many long passes over the top for Los Angeles.

40' – Big tackle on Marta, but she gets back up.  Defensive war again at Victoria Street.

41' – And that was a blown defensive reset from Martina Franko. Corner for Sky Blue FC.

42' – Danger averted. Goal kick. That was gonna be trouble for the Sol if that had gone in.

43 – Understanding Marta's finishing, they marked her again. Abily being warned by Margaret Domka to avoid the shins.

44' – Unless an act of God happens..it's set to be a scoreless first half.

45' – Branham had to get to that one in a hurry, because Han was waiting. Onsides, too.

45' – Should be a decent amount of stoppage time added on. Four minutes.

45' + 1' – This has been a great display of defense from both sides. But the home crowd has to be rolling their eyes in agony over the lack of composure inside the box.

45' + 2' – And AGAIN, Marta cannot find that post to knock it inside. The forwards have been off today for Los Angeles. If I'm Abner Rogers, I have to be tearing my hairs out over this.

HALFTIME
Los Angeles Sol 0
Sky Blue FC 0


2nd Half Start – 8:42 PM

46' – This has to be frustration for the Sol, but Ian Sawyers has to be delighted that luck has been on his club's side. The onus is on both teams to score. Will we see some heroics this half, or will it be another draw at the Toolbox? My gut is hoping that it is NOT the latter.

And Marta is so popular...she now has her own bobblehead. Heh. I would be shaking this thing side-to-side, as if to say, “Not a good first half. Sooner or later, this slump has to end.”

Interesting trivia – the logo is supposed to resemble a book...a tribute to the club's literary causes. I thought it looked like a seagull.

Offisides on Han. Bad passing again. Predictable.

47' – Is that the FIFA Fair Play Flag flying on Lalas Hill? Yes, it is. Adding a little “Magnificent Eleven” by Sam Spence for old-school effect.

48' – The Sol pressing for a goal...but all for naught.

50' – It's a battle of possession again. LA resets...and the battle continues.

51' – Great save from Karina LeBlanc. Now it's Sky Blue on the offensive.
 
52' – Goal kick for the visitors.

53' – Shot from McCallum goes wide. A diving save from LeBlanc. No penalty awarded. Play on, says Domka.

55' – Great clearance in the box from Sky Blue FC. The Sol haven't found their touch. They need to get going, and fast.

56' – Too high a header from Han Duan.

57' – Those drums are pounding again. The Sol have been in a disconnect this match.

57' – Sky Blue FC substitution
IN 10 Yael Averbuch
OUT 14 Collete McCallum

Here comes one of the draft picks coming in, Yael Averbuch, another Tar Heel product.

58' – What is it with some of the guys clamoring for a set of makeup from Artistry? Is this supposed to be a new Real Men of Genius ad waiting to happen?

59' – The water buffalo horns aren't helping matters, either.

61' – LA Sol substitution
IN 17 Liz Bogus
OUT 4 Aly Wagner

62' – That's another great save from Jenni Branham. Miss 867-5309 does it again.

63' – The tackling here from Christie Rampone has been solid tonight.  Sawyers shows his displeasure.

64' – Now the passing is a bit off for LA. Sky Blue showing patience as LeBlanc makes another safe. She is clean to grab another clean sheet.

65' – Asante to Branham for a goal kick. We have seen this all game.

66' – Set piece time for the visitors. And another grab from LeBlanc.

67' – Bogus has been a bit bogus in receiving her passes tonight.

68' – Sky Blue FC substitution:
IN 20 Kacey White
OUT 11 Rosana

Where's Toto when you need 'em? (I'm talking about the band, by the way.)

69' – Danger averted again for Los Angeles. It seems the Lalas Hill end is where the action is the past few home matches for the Sol.

70' – Here comes Sky Blue on the counter...

71' – Too conservative an attack from Los Angeles.

71' – ESPN SportsCenter theme playing from the band. Wide shot from Sky Blue FC.

72' – Asante has been solid defensively.

73' – Corner for Sky Blue.

73' – What a clearance in the box. High shot goes over the crossbar. Natasha Kai, pursuing the issue again.

74' – Both sides showing urgency in the closing minutes of this game.

75' – I will let you know this much: the fans did not come here to see a scoreless draw. “Push It” playing. The Sol do need to push it.

76' – Branham way off her line, but clears it from danger. That was risky...

77' – You can see that Sky Blue wants this as much as Los Angeles tonight. But you cannot get the job done when your shooting is off the mark. In fact, forget about it.

78' – Rogers may need to shake up the formations and systems. This has become all too easy to predict...

79 – GOAL! Los Angeles Sol #10 Marta
Assist to #20 Camille Abily
...Until this happened. Finally, they score. And it's who else but Marta. Sky Blue sees the gauntlet being thrown.
80' – LeBlanc with another good save. And Kai, oh man, has she felt the impact here tonight. The crowd is amped up now.
 
81' – Mike's gonna be nagging me that my prediction's gonna be off by a bit...unless they can get the second. But right now, LA is in control.

82' – Here comes the Mexican wave...Marta just did what she does best...beating her marker, and getting the score. It's a huge chip off the team's shoulders. Huge chip. The onus is on Ian Sawyers' club. to equalize, and on Abner Rogers' team to consolidate.

84' – Sky Blue FC Sub
IN 4 Jen Buczkowski
OUT 6 Natasha Kai

86' – Branham off her line again. She is dancing with death here. And even the Sol fans have to feel for Kai here. She gave it her best shot, but this is a tough place to play as much as it is a great place to play.

87' – It's gonna be a wide-open affair, the past few minutes. I have respect for anyone who comes from Hawaii.

88' – Here's an opportunity to equalize for Sky Blue FC...a corner.  Cleared away after a second attempt.

89' – I think we could be looking at 3 to 4 minutes of stoppage time added.

90' – It's three minutes added.

90' + 1' – Almost kept it inbounds.

90' + 2' – They are just going to play defense. I am going to get it from Iwamasa.

90' + 2' – That had to be the biggest opportunity for Sky Blue FC, and it was just feet away from bouncing inside the left post. Heartbreak for Megan Schnur.

90' + 3' – Heads-up collision. Branham with another save from Han Duan. And that's it!

FINAL
Los Angeles Sol 1
Sky Blue FC 0

A side note: The public transportation systems at night are terrible, if nonexistent. WPS should consider advising its teams to build contracts with the public buses and trains to hire shuttles to bring fans to the trains. I had to wait for a bloody taxi to get home and publish this.

Mercy.