Los Angeles Sol-Chicago Red Stars: A Play-By-Play (and Other Miscellany)

T-120 minutes to kickoff: Saturday morning soccer here at Victoria Street. First, I want to send my best farewell to Mr. Michael Jackson. The Lord said to him, "Forget about the London concerts, my son. We have bigger and better plans ready for you. Sorry about letting you know this suddenly."

And Farrah Fawcett is just peeking behind.

Rest in peace, sir.

T-72: Back to the football. The Los Angeles Sol seem to be running away with the regular season, with 31 points, and a 9-1-4 record. The Chicago Red Stars are having a tougher time just getting back on the winning track, languishing at the bottom of the WPS table, as well as my recent power rankings.

T-70: I am a bit behind with my articles on the Sol players. I plan to make up for it with a couple more in the works on Sunday.

T-68: Our officials today.

Referee: Bryan Roslund
Linesmen: Mike Kampmeinert, Ian Anderson
Fourth Official: Frans Bruins

T-66: The keys for the Sol today are this.

1. Neutralize Cristiane. You let her get open to make a shot, you will be in a deep world of hurt. Stop her like the USA did against Xavi Hernandez.

2. Attack early and often. Chicago is 0-5-1 when they are behind by halftime or when the opponent scores first. Sooner or later, Caroline Jonsson will give up a big shot sooner or later, so put the Red Star defense in a state of cardiac arrest.

3. You can't spell "Reliability" without "Abily." Camille Abily needs to be in the clutch again. She gets a goal, we are in good shape. LA has never lost a game when Abily scores, going 6-0-1.

Then again, Los Angeles has only lost once.

T-65: National anthem warmup. A little bit out of tune at the end.

T-60: Michael Jackson's music plays. Fair enough.

T-57: Lineups:

LOS ANGELES SOL
Manager: Abner Rogers
Colors: Navy blue tops, shorts, socks
Formation: 4-4-2

23 LeBlanc

14 Cox ---- 3 Falk ---- 19 Franko ---- 18 Larkin

6 Zerboni ---- 7 Boxx (C) ---- 20 Abily ---- 8 Miyama

9 Han Duan ---- 10 Marta


Substitutes:

00 Cameron
2 Sanchez
21 Frisk
22 Makoski
4 Wagner
17 Bogus
11 Bock

CHICAGO RED STARS
Manager: Emma Hayes
Colors: White tops, light blue shorts, white socks
Formation: 4-4-2

1 Jonsson

13 Spilger ---- 18 Ostberg ---- 23 Krzysik ---- 24 Oakes

6 Klein ---- 8 Rapinoe ---- 12 Igwe ---- 14 Carney

5 Tarpley (C) ---- 10 Lloyd

Substitutes:

25 Williams
4 Dieke
21 Vandenburgh
9 Adams
11 Cristiane

T-50: Teams going through warmups. And here is one of the benefits of a mornings game...bagels, pastries and muffins. The centerpieces of a continental breakfast.

T-24: Munching on bagels and Philadelphia while looking up the history on the wikis....with one finger.

T-20: Teams wrap up warm-ups.

T-12: Here comes the Tunnel Team. Getting close to Saturday morning soccer at the Toolbox (or Saturday afternoon soccer if you are on the east coast, or Saturday night football across the pond).

T-10: Not much here to talk about on the pregame. In a bit of a somber mood knowing that the King is dead.

T-6: After this game, the Sol will be facing the Washington freedom at the Mayland SoccerPlex. I will not be able to provide a recap until I return from convention duty at Anime Expo 2009. In addition, the WPS Power Rankings for this weekend will be up on Tuesday due to preparations for my work at the con.

Yes, I love that sort of stuff. Since August 1995. And this will be my fourth year staffing at the con, and therefore I take this seriously.

T-5: Oh yes, and McCall Zerboni has been called up to the first team. Congrats McCall.

T-2: National anthem by Haley DiBiasi. Cannot believe they forgot to add her first name on the Jumbotron. If she is already a recording artist already, fair enough, but otherwise...come on.

Playing Alan Parsons Project's "Games People Play." That's my mood right now. Oh yes, Marta is now under consideration for an ESPY...go vote for her. Even if you're not a Sol fan, GO DO IT RIGHT NOW before you continue to read this play-by-play.


Done? All right. Continue reading.

KICKOFF: 10:06 AM

1' - Here we go again. Marta is being marked right early and often. Here comes Chicago. That sure took the Sol by surprise.

2' - Sol resets. Franko trying to set something up, and another reset. Here come the Red Stars, but that was a lazy pass up the wazoo.

LA tried to find Han Duan, but Chicago is there to dispossess.

3' - The Sol going with the short pass, but the Red Stars clear the ball away. Offsides on Zerboni.

4' - Rogers has chosen to get some fresh new bodies into the lineup. Big question: will it pay off?

5' - Here comes LA. Marta looking for help. Red Star defense tackles in spades. The drumline bangs in the background while Jonsson grabs it.

6' - Superliga action between Chivas USA and San Luis coming up later today. I want San Luis to win tonight. Offsides on Camille Abily. That was trouble, with the rhythm from the drums passed on the the players.

7' - Here comes Chicago. Open space for Marta, but Miyama is offsides. Jeez, Mike Kampmeinert can't give the ladies in navy a break, can he?

8' - That pass was too high for Marta. Passing needs some work, but it's early. they are due to figure it out later on.

9' - The Red Stars reset. Here comes Brittanty Klein, but the Sol intercept. And that was a wasted shot from Han Duan. She would be wise to tap that in next time.

10' - Chicago on the counter. Martina Franko, with a good tackle, and Captain Shannon Boxx sets things up in another ball movement battle between both sides.

11' - Corner for the Red Stars. First set piece opportunity for the Women of the Windy City.

12' - Take two. Went into the top netting and out.

13' - the WPS All-Star Game will feature a selection of WPS players against an international club side. I want Arsenal Ladies.

14' - No foul called by Roslund. Play on, he says.

14' - GOAL! Los Angeles #7 Shannon Boxx     Assist: # 6 McCall Zerboni
Talk about some technique. Going inside post, dinging it. Captain Shannon at it again, and McCall gets the assist.

15' - Karina LeBlanc sets things up after Megan Rapinoe tried to equalize soon after.

16' - Consolidation will be key for the Sol now, as in adding to this lead. That goal by Captain Shannon is reminiscent of Tim Cahill's 2nd goal against Japan in 2006.

17' - Here comes Chicago again. Something needs to happen.

18' - That pass just missed Marta.

19' - GOAL! #20 Camille Abily      Assist #8 Aya Miyama
Uh oh. Chicago is in trouble here. They stretched the field, and Camille and Aya teamed up on that one. Eighth of the season for Camille.

20' - That's called consolidation, comrade.

21' - Something needs to be done here for Chicago to get back into this game.

22' - The LA defense clearing dangers again. And again, parking the bus.

23' - This is why Aya Miyama is my favorite player. Not only can she score, but she is a great facilitator. As seen in the second goal of the game today.

24' - And she can tackle, too. Too high a shot for Natalie Spilger. Captain Shannon tried to find Marta, but Jonsson snaps that up.

25' - Good save by Jonsson. Where the heck was Abily passing that to? Han was  open at the right flan k! Sacre bleu, mademoiselle...

26' - Marta is marked, and Han didn't get a good position to score on that shot.

27' - I am playing Satchmo's tunes. Satchmo, as you know, is Mr. Louis Armstrong. One of many celebrities who have outlived Michael Jackson.

28' - Here comes the Sol again. The Red Stars are going to bring in Cristiane.

30' - Subsitution Chicago Red Stars
IN 11 Cristiane
OUT 23 Nikki Krzysik

31' - Free kick from Miyama saved by Jonsson. LeBlanc gets that one.

32' - 3-4-3 formation by Chicago. Offsides though on Lindsay Tarpley. That goal would have made it a game.

33' - Megan Rapinoe a bit shaken up. These Red Stars have been having an unlucky day, and that goal called back due to offsides is just not making it any better, to say the least.

34' - Here comes Han...and the pass to Marta is intercepted.

35' - Without a doubt, that is a wake-up call for the Sol not to let down their guard.

36' - Ouch. Allison Falk just got leveled by that shot by Rapinoe. Hush over the crowd. We got some extra stoppage time. She is able to stand, and is fine.

37' - And Falk gets back on the field. Good idea by Han, but the red Stars go after her in numbers. Igwe getting marked, and here is a Chicago throw-in.

38' - Sol parks the bus. Now Chicago is on the attack with Cristiane on the field. And Marta is being marked by Lloyd.

39' - Marian Dalmy and Ifeoma Dieke are out with injuries, and without a strong defensive presence in both Dalmy and Dieke, teams have been able to take advantage.

40' - That pass to Marta missed. Here's Abily. Marta had an easy opportunity, but Jonsson was right there. Too much idea with the flair, not enough power with the attack.

42' - Emma is going to be just as friendly as a majority of the respondents I surveyed yesterday, as Falk clears that danger away.

44' - That ball went right at Captain Shannon's feet. I almost fell out of my chair here in the press box. Only had seven hours of sleep before I prepared to get over here.

45' - How many minute, Frans Fwerdinand? Two, he says. All right. Auuuugggghhhhh not the spinning Ronald McDonald head...don't tell me Michael Jackson resurrected into Ronald McDonald!? Noooooo!

Just kidding. Enjoy your McFlurries, gang. Be sure the burn those calories later.

45' + 2' - Great save by Jonsson. That could have been 3-0. Regardless, a great first half.

HALFTIME

Los Angeles Sol 2
14' Boxx, 19' Abily

Chicago Red Stars 0

If Chicago wants to get back into this match, now is the time for Cristiane to show her scoring process that was evident the last meeting here at Victoria Street.

I'm playing some Milli Vanilli. I'm already tired of Wacko Jacko on my iTunes. Now I am playing No Mercy's "Where Do You Go." I like the horns in the Ocean Drive remix.

SECOND HALF START - 11:11 AM

46' - Onward to the second half of football here at the Home Depot Center.

Tackle on Abily early by Igwe. She earns a yellow. If heavy-handed cheap shots is what they will be reduced to, it's going to get worse for them.

47' - Clean tackle, says Roslund. Play on. Here comes the Red Stars, but that goal by Tarpley was offsides. That's twice that Chicago was called back due to offsides. This has indeed gottn worse for them.

49' - Sol resets, and they have been playing great defense, weathering what could have been a 2-2 game.

50' - A shot by Cristiane went wide of the net.

51' - Whoa, LeBlanc had to move off her line to make that save. Los Angeles resets.

52' - Now playing Jefferson Airplane. These Sol midfielders have been neutralizing Chicago's attack, while getting some luck on their side.

53' - Great diving save by LeBlanc. Now she is doing some work this half. This is brilliant by the shutout queen in the WPS.

54' - Clash of heads and Klein gets a yellow, but Falk is shaken up again. Chicago is just self-imploding as we speak. They're already two goals down, they get two goals called back due to offside...and now two of their players are cautioned.

57' - Substitution Los Angeles Sol
IN 11 Brittany Bock
OUT 3 Allison Falk

Substitution Chicago Red Stars
IN 21 Lydia Vandenburgh
OUT 6 Brittany Klein

Hopefully that injury to Falk is not that bad.

60' - Bock asking the midfielders to crank it up. Here come the Sol. Another rough challenge and a yellow to Karen Carney. Free kick LA.

61' - Jonsson is there on that free kick from Miyama.

62' - GOAL!!! #10 Marta    Assist #8 Aya Miyama
She's done it again, she's done it again! Breakaway, and that was number seven of the season for the No. 10.

64' - But back to these yellows. If these cheap challenges continue, somebody from Chicago is gonna be sent off. Marta is being a bit too unselfish. That was an open opportunity for her.

Don't facilitate, just the goal if you are open, Marta. I mean, really.

65' - Offsides for LA. And Chicago is down 3-0.

66' - Ironically, I am playing Chicago (that band)'s "If You Leave Me Now."

67' - Corner for the Sol. Cristiane is being neutralized by Katie Larkin.

68' - Red Star attack cleared by Martina Franko. She has done her work today.

69' - Karina LeBlanc setting things up for the Sol.

70' - A Chicago triple-team could neutralize Marta that a single-team, apparently...WITHOUT any help from the Sol at the front.

Take note.

71' - Los Angeles are walking wounded here. McCall Zerboni seems to have bit of a gimp in her step, but she is okay.

72' - Chicago now on the attack. The desperation to even score once is apparent.

74'- And the Sol continue to park the bus defensively. I have to say that this has been a complete game so far for Los Angeles.

75' - Here come the Sol...but Marta is offsides.

76' - Another solid clearance from Martina franko. Too wide a shot for Marta to make. Good read defensively by Chicago.

76' - Substitution Chicago Fire
IN 9 Danesha Adams
OUT 12 Chioma Igwe

77' - Good save by LeBlanc. Corner Red Stars. That save shows you why LeBlanc is the best keeper this season in WPS.

79' - Corner to chicago after Miyama clears. Chicago obstructed on the corner. Snakebit again.

80' - Substitution Los Angeles Sol
IN 22 Manya Makoski
OUT 20 Camille Abily

81' - Good work on the back line by the Red Stars. Cristiane, fighting hard to the end. You have to give credit for her work ethic as a substitute.

82' - Offsides LA, to the groans of the home crowd. LeBlanc scoops it up again. Sol drumline at work.

83' - LeBlanc had to push that over. It's a corner for Chicago. And the header goes over the crossbar. As if things hadn't been bad enough for them.

84' - Here is Cristiane, and the shot by Lloyd goes high.

85' - This is great containment by the Sol. And Han Duan must be thinking, whoops. LeBlanc clears.

86' - Foul to LA. Aly Wagner can't believe it. Roslund says, get on with it, you.

87' - Heads up, Marta's Maniacs in the Amway corner, Section 119.

88' - And one of the assistant coaches shows that he has good hands. Play on. Here come those Red Stars. Shot by Lloyd goes wide.

89' - Great defense yet again. Every time the Red Stars go on the offensive, LA's midfielders and defenders are there to mark. Complete game. Han Duan tried to sneak one in, but the danger has been averted.

90' - Three additional minutes to be added.

90' + 1' - GOAL!!!! #10 Marta  Assist #4 Aly Wagner
This is just rubbing salt into the wounds. Inside the box. What a tap-in. She is now tied with Abily for the lead with eight goals.

90' + 3' - That's a wrap! What a performance.

FINAL

LOS ANGELES SOL 4
14' Boxx
19' Abily
62', 90' Marta

CHICAGO RED STARS 0

I hope the USA puts in a great performance against Brazil, regardless of the outcome tomorrow...