2009 WPS Power Rankings: Week 16

In this week's edition of the 2009 WPS Power Rankings, we come to the conclusion that any fortress can be breached, so long as you play like a tired, exhausted shell of yourself.

Just ask the team that dropped to second in our Power Rankings, the Los Angeles Sol.

Meanwhile, the hopes of the other teams below LA begin to flicker, so let's take a look.

1. ST. LOUIS ATHLETICA

Jorge Barcellos got the breakthrough victory he needed from his club, as Athletica rode on Amanda Cinalli's first-half goal to a 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Sol last Wednesday.

In the 11th minute, Eniola Aluko found Cinalli at the top of the box. She would take advantage of the blown defensive coverage by LA to slot one past Karina LeBlanc.

Athletica goalkeeper Hope Solo was solid, making four saves for the match. Offensively, St. Louis's precision was evident as they made more shots on goal than the Sol (six to four).

With the win combined with Boston's defeat, St. Louis becomes the only team to challege Los Angeles for the WPS Regular Season championship. But they need to keep their win streak going if they want to catch up.

Athletica are currently 14 points off the pace.

Their next match will take place on Saturday, July 18 against the lagging Washington Freedom at RFK Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET and will be televised by KPLR 11.

2. LOS ANGELES SOL

It was not the best way to end a home campaign, to say the least.

Heavy legs and a lack of form doomed Abner Rogers' Sol in a 1-0 defeat to St. Louis Athletica. The loss was the first-ever at home for Los Angeles.

Neither eight corner kicks, nor 13 shots, nor five saves from goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc could save the Sol from shooting themselves in the foot with wasted opportunities to score on Victoria Street.

To add misery to ineptitude, Marta earned a yellow card in the 70th minute for an apparent head butt on a St. Louis player.

In spite of the defeat, the Sol wins the tiebreaker with Athletica should both teams be level on points after the regular season concludes.

Los Angeles will wrap the 2009 regular season with three straight road contests.
The first of these three is against FC Gold Pride at Buck Shaw Stadium on Thursday, July 23. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET.

3. SKY BLUE FC

Kelly Lindsey has to be a very pleased manager right now down in Piscataway, New Jersey.

Her club, Sky Blue FC, has risen to fourth in the WPS standings with their 2-1 victory over the Boston Breakers at Soldiers' Field—also known as Harvard Stadium—on Sunday.

The victory seals a whitewash for the Jersey girls over their rivals to the the Northeast.

Natasha Kai and Rosana took no prisoners with goals in the first half. In the 24th minute, Kai took a header from Collette McCallum 20 yards out. Breakers goalkeeper Allison Lipsher was unable to make a save off her line.

13 minutes later, the misery continued for the home side.

Heather O'Reilly's cross found Rosana instead of Natasha Kai. The Brazilian international delivered a left-footer inside the left post from eight yards out.

Goalkeeper Jenni Branam nearly secured a clean sheet, if it weren't for the likes of Jennifer Nobis scoring a consolation goal in the 93rd minute. Nonetheless, Branam put on a solid performance with five saves, including a big save in the 18th minute to prevent an early Breakers lead.

Sky Blue FC outshot Boston 13 to 12 in the contest.

Can they keep the run going to clinch a spot in the postseason? Two big games are on tap this week for Sky Blue FC at Yurcak Field.

On Wednesday, they play host to the Washington Freedom. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. On Sunday, the Chicago Red Stars will roll into town in a crucial contest for both teams. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel.

4. CHICAGO RED STARS

All of sudden, Chicago has a realistic chance to get back in the WPS Playoff race.

And Cristiane picked the right time to be red-hot.

The Brazilian sensation became the first player in WPS history to earn a hat trick in a 3-1 victory over league laggards FC Gold Pride at Bridgeview's Toyota Park.

In the 31st minute, Cristiane began her hat trick with a penalty kick after being fouled inside the box. This was also the first penalty kick attempt in Red Stars history.

The magic continued in first-half injury time. A diagonal ball from Megan Rapinoe found Cristiane, who eluded FC Gold Pride goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart to make it 2-0 Chicago.

In the 65th minute, Cristiane received a pass from Lindsay Tarpley and blasted one into the top left corner for her sixth goal of the season.

Goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson was a rock on defense, making four saves.

However, the Red Stars were prone to using heavy-handed tactics on FC Gold Pride, conceding 12 fouls. Once again, just like against Los Angeles, Chicago saw three of its players (Tarpley 45', Carney 63', Lloyd 69') cautioned.

Regardless, Chicago's resurgency has made them hungry for more. The Red Stars have two important matches this week on the road. These are six big points that will be crucial to the Red Stars' playoff hopes.

Chicago travels to Harvard Stadium to take on the Boston Breakers on Wednesday, July 15. Kickoff for that contest is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.  

And on Sunday, July 19, the Red Stars take on Sky Blue FC at Joe Yurcak Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel.

5. BOSTON BREAKERS

The Breakers are breaking away from form, and that's not a good thing if you bleed Boston Blue and White.

Sky Blue FC raided Harvard Stadium and came away with a 2-1 victory over Tony DiCicco's club on Sunday.

The loss puts Boston tied with Sky Blue FC for third on points. They are third in the standings due to overall goals scored this season.

Jennifer Nobis did earn a consolation goal for Boston in the 93rd minute with a 12-yard finish into the top right corner from Angela Hucles. But it would be too little, too late.

Allison Lipsher made four saves in the Breakers' losing effort.

Can Boston save themselves from sinking this season and return to their winning ways? Two big games this week will tell the story.

On Wednesday, July 15, Boston will take on the Chicago Red Stars at Harvard Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. The match is part of a doubleheader that also features a match between the Boston Renegades and the Connecticut Passion. Kickoff for that match is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET.

Sunday will see the Breakers make the long flight to the West Coast to take on FC Gold Pride. Kickoff at Buck Shaw Stadium in scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.

6. WASHINGTON FREEDOM

The challenge Jim Gabarra will be offering to his Freedom this week will be, "Can you emancipate yourselves from the shackles that have put you out of contention for a postseason position? If you are ready to put the 'Free' in 'Freedom,' then get out there and do it!"

Indeed, Washington have some work to do if they are intent on getting back in the hunt for mid-August. Currently, they are two points out of fourth place in the WPS standings.

On Wednesday, the Freedom will travel up to Piscataway, New Jersey to take on Sky Blue FC at Joe Yurcak Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m ET. On Saturday, July 18, Washington will face St. Louis Athletica at RFK Stadium.

Kickoff for that match is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET.

7. FC GOLD PRIDE

Albertin Montoya's Pride are losing the fight for their playoff lives with each defeat.

Sunday's Cristiane hat trick didn't help matters for the Pride, as the Chicago Red Stars ran roughshod all over them in a 3-1 massacre at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois.

Tiffeny Milbrett scored the only goal for the Lionesses of the Bay in the 64th minute. The Red Stars' Megan Rapinoe fouled Christine Sinclair inside the penalty box, and Milbrett slotted home the ensuing spot kick.

FC Gold Pride outshot Chicago 16 to 14, and earned more corner opportunities (seven to three). But for all the chances the Pride had to take control of the match, a resilient Chicago Red Star side hungry for a winning streak rode on the Brazilliance from Cristiane and feasted on the unlucky breaks for the visitors in the Windy City.

Next Sunday, a desperate FC Gold Pride side will need a victory against the Boston Breakers (combined with some help from the teams at the top) to stand even a chance at qualifying for the playoffs.

Kickoff at Buck Shaw Stadium is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.