Los Angeles-FC Gold Pride: Another Day at the Office for the Sol

Jo-Ryan SalazarJun 21, 2009

WPS league leaders Los Angeles Sol took on an FC Gold Pride team in need of a victory to stay in contention at the Home Depot Center on Sunday, June 21.

On Father's Day, it was just another day at the office for Abner Rogers's ball club, defeating their northern rivals once again by the score of 2-0.

In the 17th minute, Gold Pride goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart punched away an Aya Miyama corner, but goal-scoring leader Camille Abily was there to bring home her seventh goal of the season to make it 1-0.

Seven minutes later, the franchise made her mark.

A 24th minute breakaway culminated in Marta slotting her fifth goal of the season. The long passes were rusty for the bulk of the match for the Sol.

Shannon Boxx's pass to Marta was clinical, though, as the team captain watched the No. 10 do the rest.

FC Gold Pride clamored for offsides, but match official Daniel Fitzgerald would not hear the pleas, and Los Angeles was up 2-0.

The Lionesses of the Bay had opportunities to get on the board. They had a chance to even score first.

A goal-mouth scramble in the fifth minute was the first sign of danger for LA, but Sol goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc (whose father was in attendance at the game) made the first of a number of critical stops.

The Sol's No. 23 also made impressive stops in the 30th, 40th and 89th minutes. LeBlanc finished the game with only three saves.

LeBlanc, however, was just part of a strong defensive unit that ensured that she would earn her ninth shutout of the season.

It was Barnhart who had to do a good deal of the work in from of the net, making nine saves.

Eight of those saves were in the second half, a half dominated by Los Angeles in terms of shooting. Nine of the Sol's 12 shots were in the second half, and all of the shots were on goal.

Barnhart made the score flattering for Albertin Montoya's club, who were outplayed by a side that made this rivalry one-sided in all its aspects.

The Sol will have only a few days to catch its breath as it heads to Fenton, Missouri to take on St. Louis Athletica on Wednesday, June 24. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00PM ET.

FC Gold Pride will have a bye week before hosting St. Louis Athletica at Buck Shaw Stadium, on Sunday, July 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00pm ET.

06.21.2009
Carson, California - The Home Depot Center

FC Gold Pride - Los Angeles Sol 0:2 (0:2)
    1     2     F
FC Gold Pride     0     0     0
Los Angeles Sol     2     0     0

Scoring Summary
LOS - Camile Abily (Martina Franko) 17'
LOS - Marta (Shannon Boxx) 25'

Lineups
Los Angeles Sol: Karina LeBlanc; Manya Makoski, Allison Falk, Martina Franko, Stephanie Cox; Camille Abily, Shannon Boxx (C), Aly Wagner, Aya Miyama, Brittany Bock (67: Han Duan), Marta.

FC Gold Pride: Nicole Barnhart; Rachel Buehler, Leigh Ann Robinson (57: Marissa Abegg), Kristen Gracyzk, Carrie Dew; Tina DiMartino (85: Tiffany Weimer), Leslie Osborne (C), Formiga; Christine Sinclair, Tiffeny Milbrett, Eriko Arakawa (67: Adriane).

Misconduct Summary
NONE

Statistics BAY / LA
Shots - 13 (9) / 12 (3)
Shots on Goal - 7 (4) / 12 (3)
Saves - 9 (1) / 3 (3)
Fouls - 8 (3) / 8 (4)
Corners - 2 (1) / 7 (4)
Offside - 0 (0) / 2 (2)

Referee: Daniel Fitzgerald
Linesmen: Marlene Duffy, Maurizio Laudani
4th Official: Adam Brugman