Los Angeles 1, Chicago 1: LA ReSoliency Snatches Win from Red Stars

The Chicago Red Stars looked set to be the first team to win a match at the Home Depot Center Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Sol. They had failed to score even once in over 300 match minutes, and there was an urgent feeling in the dressing room to come out and stun the best team in Women's Professional Soccer.

And it looked to be that way late...until the cruel reality for Emma Hayes' club was realized: "You cannot spell RELIABILITY without A-B-I-L-Y."

Sol midfielder Camille Abily was clutch in equalizing an 88th minute goal by Cristiane to give Los Angeles a 1-1 draw with Chicago before 3,832 at the Home Depot Center.

Threatening skies cleared as the night progressed. For the bulk of the match, the Sol had the lion's share of chances to break the deadlock early.

In the 12th minute, Red Star goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson prevented Los Angeles from capitalizing on their first golden opportunity. On the counter, Sol net-minder Karina LeBlanc was beat, but the defensive backs of LA cleared a dangerous chance for the visitors.

Those would be two in a number of chances that could have seen a keeper's clinic turn into a goal festival.

Abily nearly got one in the 55th, but the defense for the Red Stars held firm. In the 63rd minute, a counter-attack by Abner Rogers's club saw Marta just miss the top left corner.

In a physical battle that even saw Chicago's Natalie Spilger wrestle a Sol player to the turf, no cards were issued by official Felisha Mariscal.

It would not be until the closing minutes of the game, when Cristiane scored Chicago's first goal in over 400 match minutes.

Her strike in the 88th minute triggered a few celebratory flips, and cheers from some of the Red Star faithful who made the trip.

It was also the first-ever goal given up by Los Angeles at the Home Depot Center in the Sol's history.

All signs pointed to a breakthrough win for Chicago. Or were they?

People don't call Chicago "The Windy City" for nothing, and just when fresh gales fueled still sails, the wind got knocked out of the Red Stars two minutes later.

A poorly saved ball by Jonsson was brought home by Abily, who was mobbed by her teammates in the manner of then-LA Galaxy player Carlos Ruiz at MLS Cup 2001 in the Rose Bowl.

Los Angeles outshot Chicago, 17-10 (7-3 on goal) and had more corner opportunities than the Red Stars (5-1), but Jonsson-up until the 90th minute-was stellar in her six stops.

"Chicago is a very difficult team to beat, but we showed a lot of character at the end of tonight’s game," said a relieved Rogers following the match. "We were slow coming out of the box tonight, but we played a much better second half.

"Sometimes the standings and points don’t really reflect how good some of the teams are."

In spite of the draw, the outcome could be viewed as a step in the right direction for the Red Stars. They will head up the Interstate to face FC Gold Pride on Sunday, June 7 at Buck Shaw Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00PM and will be televised by Comcast Sports Net.

The Sol will wrap up their three-game homestand against the Washington Freedom in a rematch of the WPS Inaugural Game. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00PM ET and will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel.

 06.03.2009
Carson, Calif., – The Home Depot Center

Chicago Red Stars – Los Angeles Sol 1:1 (0:0)
      1     2     F
Chicago     0     1     1
Los Angeles     0     1     1

Scoring Summary

CHI – Cristiane Silva (Ella Masar) 88’
LA – Camille Abily 90’

Lineups

Chicago Red Stars: Caroline Jonsson; Marian Dalmy, Natalie Spilger, Frida Ostberg (c), Jill Oakes, Brittany Klein, Megan Rampinoe (86: Ella Masar), Chioma Igwe, Karen Carney, Lindsay Tarpley (74: Danesha Adams) (90+: Nicole Kryzsik), Cristiane Silva

Los Angeles Sol: Karina LeBlanc; Manya Makoski, Allison Falk, Martina Franko, Stephanie Cox; Camille Abily, Shannon Boxx (c), Brittany Bock (84: McCall Zerboni), Aya Miyama, Han Duan (71: Katie Larkin), Marta

Misconduct Summary
NONE

Statistics CHI / LA
Shots 10 (5) / 17 (6)
Shots on Goal  (1) / 7 (4)
Saves 6 (4) / 2 (1)
Fouls 5 (3) / 4 (3)
Corners 1 (1) / 5 (3)
Offside 3 (1) / 2 (2)

Referee: Felisha Mariscal
Linesmen: Mike Kampmeinert, Marlene Duffy
Fourth Official: Daniel Radford
Attendance: 3,832
Weather: Cloudy and 60 degrees