Los Angeles-Sky Blue FC: A Play-By-Play (and Other Miscellany)

T-120 minutes to kickoff: This is it. The final game of the 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season. (No, the All-Star test match with Umea Idrottsklubb does not count.)

This is the WPS Championship Game presented by Medimmune. More on the sponsor later.

But this is essentially a glorified final home game for the Los Angeles Sol, who take on Sky Blue FC, 1-0 winners in the Super Semifinal at Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park in Fenton on Wednesday.

T-110: I should give kudos to a few people. First off, to WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci and good ol' Rob Penner for keeping us informed on the current developments of a league that I believe will be in it for the long haul. And when I say long, I mean LONG.

Women's Professional Soccer will be a league that will have a long life in terms of stability, so long as the circumstances allow it to sustain itself.

Next, I want to once again thank our people at Bleacher Report. Todd Civin, John Howell (who took part in the State of the League Address Tuesday), Shoy Slogan, and the rest of the Women's Professional Soccer team on b/r...it's been a great ride. And let's look forward to doing it again.

Finally, to the people I have met on the WPS Fan Corner. I have met devoted fans of the game from different cities.

And although some of us have had our differences in opinion, in the end cooler heads prevail with an intention of agreeing to disagree on which players are better, which team is the best, and how they saw the game.

All of you who signed up on the WPS Fan Corner are now charter members of the biggest organization of believers in this league. So give yourselves a hand.
T-100: Now, what about MedImmune? What is that? Ahh, let me fill you in.

MedImmune LLC, headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., became a wholly owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca in 2007. Since being acquired, MedImmune has remained a Maryland-based biotechnology development enterprise.

It produces Synagis, a drug for the prevention of respiratory infections in infants, which accounted for $1.06 billion of its $1.2 billion in revenue for 2005, and FluMist, a nasal spray influenza vaccine introduced in 2004.

MedImmune conducted successful clinical trials for a new generation of FluMist needle-free vaccine, called CAIV-T, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2007, and is now the form offered on the market.

In early June 2009, MedImmune won a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) contract, worth $90 million.

Under the contract with HHS, MedImmune will continue to make its seasonal FluMist vaccine and also develop a vaccine targeted specifically at the H1N1 virus. MedImmune then won a second contract to test its nasal spray flu technology as a viable treatment for the H1N1.
T-90: That was from Wikipedia. Pretty good choice, given that the flu season is coming soon.

T-85: Sky Blue FC continues to challenge to doubters and naysayers. Two coaching changes. The first-ever player/manager leading her team to a championship game in this league. Upset specials against the Washington Freedom and St. Louis Athletica.

Not bad for a club who was placed at the bottom of my pre-season power rankings. Regardless of what happens, I raise my pint of Guinness to Christie Rampone, who I believe should earn a permanent position as manager of the club.

T-80: The Los Angeles Sol will have to make do without the services of Camille Abily, who is busy plying her trade at Women's Euro 2009 in Finland. But they do have Marta, Han Duan, Aya Miyama, Shannon Boxx, Karina LeBlanc, and a slew of other great stars in the back, in the midfield, and at the front.

All in all, this team was destined to earn their first piece of championship hardware: a shieldlike plate on a pedestal that looks like a cup but is flat when viewed from the side.

Wholesome. I hope the championship trophy looks more complete in terms of appearance.
T-75: The lineups.

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

23 LeBlanc

14 Cox ---- 11 Bock ---- 3 Falk ---- 22 Makoski

8 Miyama ---- 4 Wagner ---- 7 Boxx (C) ---- 6 Zerboni

10 Marta ---- 9 Han Duan

Substitutes:
1 Henderson
2 Sanchez
16 Patterson
17 Bogus
18 Larkin
19 Nonen
21 Frisk

SKY BLUE FC
Manager: Christie Rampone
Colors: Orange tops and shorts, white socks
Formation: 4-4-2

23 Branam

17 Dowling ---- 4 Buczkowski ---- 3 Rampone (C) ---- 12 Schnur

20 White ---- 10 Averbuch ---- 24 Francielle ---- 9 O'Reilly

6 Kai ---- 11 Rosana

Substitutes:
22 Alexander
7 Parker
13 Keselica
14 McCallum
15 Hooker
16 Hanks
38 Sitch

Referee: Kari Seitz
Linesmen: Marlene Duffy, Veronica Perez
Fourth Official: Margaret Domka
T-68: "God Bless America" and National Anthem warm-up. Catching up on some results from anime/manga character tournaments I have been writing up on a few other sites.

T-52: Sol goalkeepers begin their preliminaries. Karina will need to hold firm between the posts this afternoon. Self-explanatory.

T-45: Both teams now enter the pitch for their final warm-ups.

T-40: Anita Asante and Karen Bardsley will be on assignment to the English national team, while France's Camille Abily will be missed on the Sol bench.

T-28: Pregame show now ariing as the fans and press take a good look. The Sol must shut down Natasha Kai and prevent opportunistic chances by the likes of Rosana and Keeley Dowling.

Sky Blue FC can open things up in the box. Los Angeles must avoid giving these three players any chance of scoring by shutting down the space they can get when they are in a good position.

T-25: I fancy the fans would love to see this go all the way to penalties. But that would be too harsh.

T-20: 20 minutes to kickoff. And the drummers are getting busy.

T-9: Both teams are already in the change rooms, ready to come out. The tunnel teams are lined up, ready to go.

T-6: Sunny T. Shark is up for one last go.

T-5: Both teams now enter the pitch.

T-3: Rachel Stark with "God Bless America" and The Star-Spangled banner. Brilliant renditions.

1:01 P.M.: Player intros. We have ourselves a strong turnout for this one.
FIRST HALF START: 1:08 PM

1' - And here we go! I won't have any ill feelings towards Sky Blue, the underdogs of the league, if they go forth and deliver today. Honest.

But the championship trophy looks like a true cup, more so than the first trophy the Sol got in their history, so getting the double will be a spur for them.

All the more for both teams to be up for this. First corner to Sky Blue FC, and cleared. Ball back in possession to the Jersey Girls, but here come the Sol.

2' - Abner Rogers in his classic shades and suit. The true managerial look as far as I know. Meanwhile, Christie Rampone is in the look of the player/coach. First corner for LA...Aya Miyama to take. And that is cleared.

A tenacious first half is in order. Ooof, Han Duan bit on that pass. Here comes Sky Blue again.

3' - They are getting a good deal of the possession. Marta offsides on that breakaway.

4' - First shot from Rosana too high. A warning volley. The Sol will be on their toes now.

5'- Marta didn't connect on that pass. Christie's crew collects. Speed will be a critical indicator of how this match will go. LA resets the possession.

6' - Captain Shannon Boxx should have done better on that pass to Marta as Sky Blue FC keeper Jenni Branam resets.

7' - And once again, we are seeing what Sky Blue FC are capable of once they have that open space. Goal kick for Karina LeBlanc.

8' - Yeesh, Miyama was not in sync. And Natasha Kai nearly made them pay. LeBlanc was in a no-win sutation, and that's where the back line steps in.

9' - Too long of a pass for Han.

10' - The Sol triple-team Dowling, but Sky Blue FC keeps possession.

11' - You know, there is a reason why I also add the "(and Other Miscellany)" part to it. I add a random thing here and there, as the Sol's passing leaves much to be deserved early this half.

It's like FIFA 10 in some ways.
12' - Football is also a game of strategy. Imagine two gods playing this on a PS3 or XBOX 360. And the WPS is licensed. Ha. By Jove, maybe Hera and Aphrodite are playing this right now; who knows.

14' - Here comes LA again. And Branam is wise enough to make that stop off her line.

15' - Sky Blue FC maintaining possession.

16' - GOAL! Sky Blue FC #9 Heather O'Reilly Assist #6 Natasha Kai
Well, I did warn the readers early in this play-by-play about the dangers of giving Sky Blue FC open space. Here, O'Reilly is able to get enough room from the pass by the Hawaii product to do the rest.

18' - There was no way LeBlanc was going to get to that one. And defensively, Los Angeles unraveled in a fashion similar to their setbacks to Boston, St. Louis and Chicago.

19' - So now I bring up this question: how are the Sol going to respond to this? They have been behind before and are able to get it done; let's see if they can get the equalizer.

21' - Another offsides to the Sol. They are not doing themselves any favors by seeing the linesmen raise her flag at a 90-degree angle.

22' - Good delivery in the box by Shannon Boxx; nobody open to take it. Sky Blue FC clears.

23' - No foul, says Kari Seitz. Clean tackle, play on.

24' - Seitz is going to play loose for now. She will be intent to run a tight ship later on.

25' - Branam may be having knee problems to go with the bug, but she is doing herself a favor by going off her line. It's worth the risk, because it works.

26' - 26 minutes gone, and Sky Blue FC is off to a 1-0 lead. First card...and its a red to Allison Falk and the boo birds take to the field.

And just when you think things have gone worse for the Sol, it does. Sky Blue FC is going to have the goal advantage and man advantage.

28' - This time, Karina makes the save. And it's play on. But Abner Rogers may be wondering, "Just what the heck is going on down there on the pitch?" as Branam makes another save.

30' - Natasha Kai was on a breakaway in the 26th minute, and it was a push by Falk. But she got the player and not the ball. Miyama helps Yael Averbuch up as SBFC takes the set piece short.

And there's another save for LeBlanc.
32' - Nobody there on the cross by Boxx, who ends up sending that one to the bleachers for another goal kick.

33' - Sky Blue FC is going to keep the onslaught going. Urgency now late in this half.

34' - Substitution Los Angeles Sol
IN 19 Sharolta Nonen
OUT 6 McCall Zerboni

Nonen, a veteran of many a game in Canada, adds another appearance to her credit.

35' - Marta got marked on that one. And so did Rosana on the counterpossession.

36' - Here's another set piece for Los Angeles. That was right in the direction of the Sky Blue FC defense.

37' - A little bit for you Sky Blue FC fans: should Christie Rampone's club hold on to this lead, they will make more history as the first club with a .500 mark to win a title.

38' - Miyama was not going to get to that ball.

39' - Mike Iwamasa asks my prediction: Penalties. Just so that fans get their money's worth.

40' - Allison Falk must not be liking this. I'm not sure if this is the case, but she is the first Sol player (I think) to earn a red card.

41' - It's a good thing I saved room in my bag for the swag I'm getting from Amway Global, Nutrilite and Artistry.

43' - Sky Blue's just going to be content is passing the ball, subjecting the home side to further frustration. Now, technically this is a neutral venue as Branam leaps for another save. But this is essentially a glorified home game for the Sol.

45' - Two additional minutes this half. And the announcement that the fans in attendance will still receive McFlurry coupons, in my view, defeated the purpose of those wasteful minutes for Los Angeles.

As we go into the break Sky Blue FC, the success story of the season (power to alliteration), has a one-goal advantage, a one-man advantage and one hand on the cup. Oy vey!

HALFTIME

Los Angeles Sol 0

Sky Blue FC 1
16' O'Reilly
SECOND HALF START 2:12 P.M.

46' - They are making the most of their post-season junket, but can Sky Blue FC hold on and hoist the first piece of hardware in their career? Or will the Sol come back and make things interesting?

Oh yes, I want to advise those of you who are expecting children: please get your flu vaccine (if you can) right now. Now returning to your regularly scheduled play-by-play already in progress.

47' - The Sol will change things up to a 4-3-2 formation in the absence of Allison Falk, who has been sent off for a push of Natasha Kai.

48' - Sky Blue FC resets on the possession. Here they come.

49' - You have to give credit to Christie Rampone for seeing her field general expertise pay off right now.

50' - No foul, says Kari Seitz. Here come the boo birds again. They're asking for a penalty. They're not liking this; it's a corner.

51' - And that's not gonna be a goal. It's gonna be a yellow to Brittany Bock I believe. Yes it is, for bumping into Jenni Branam while making the save.

52' - For all of you watching this on Fox Sports Net in New Jersey, that has to be music to your ears.

53' - Again, Jenni Branam continues to go off her line to make those saves; it's becoming hard habit for her to break. Why break it? It works, after all.

54' - The pitch here at the Toolbox is full of lines. The grounds crew had a headache trying to set the pitch back into place because the motorbike events for the X-Games were held here.

55' - That was not the best of goal kicks from Karina LeBlanc.

56' - Marta is being marked left and right. Here's a corner for LA, but Sky Blue Fc clears it.

58' - Good interception by Rosana. She did her homework in figuring out the pass patterns of LA today.
59' - Boxx again missing the mark in her crosses. Sky Blue FC, I fancy, can get away with parking the bus right now.

60' - A corner for Los Angeles is wasted, and Branam with another save.

61' - Substitution Los Angeles Sol
IN 18 Katie Larkin
OUT 4 Alyu Wagfner

62' - Sky Blue, now on the move in terms of possession.

63' - And they reset. They are doing well sitting on the ball with a player advantage.

64' - Now that has to be one of the most onerous one-timers I will ever see from Brittany Bock this season.

66' - Subsitution Sky Blue FC
IN 16 Kerri Hanks
OUT 6 Natasha Kai

All right. Kai has already done her part. Time for Hanks to do some mop-up duty.

68' - A corner for Sky Blue. Cleared. Another one. Both these corners courtesy of Yael Averbuch. Off.

Goal kick.

69' - Man, I don't give two shake-and-bakes of Cristiano Ronaldo about "Legally Blonde: The Musical." I'm already seeing drama her on the pitch.
70' - Substitution Sky Blue FC
IN 14 Collette McCallum
OUT 11 Rosana

72' - Here's a corner for LA. They take it short, and that delivery was heading to the neighbors' house. "Wait a minute, that's not my pizza; that's next door!"

73' - And now it's crunch time for the Cinderellas of WPS, as the Sol take this free kick. Cleared.

74' - This is a solid turnout, given that some of the sections were fenced off.

75' - That was dangerous. Makoski nearly paid the price, but she got fouled.

76' - Where was Marta on that one, pray tell? She and Katie larkin were off on that one.

77' - Substitution Los Angeles Sol
IN 16 Lyndsey Patterson
OUT 9 Han Duan

79' - What Sky Blue FC needs to do to keep their composure and hold the Sol from making the most out of any more chances. Not a good delivery from Aya Miyama, but we have been seeing this all day from Abner Rogers' club.

81' - The Sky Blue FC faithful who made it all the way from here can sense it now.
82'- Substitution Sky Blue FC
IN 13 Noelle Keselica
OUT 9 Heather O'Reilly

83' - Set piece for the Sol. Parried away from the hands of Jenni Branam. This is great defending. Corner.

84' - They are just wasting their chances, the Los Angeles Sol are.

85' - Sky Blue FC are inching ever closer to the cup. Get ready to celebrate, Piscataway.

87' - The Los Angeles Sol fans are losing their patience with the lack of production and wasteful finishing.

88' - Seitz is going to let this thing play on.

89' - Really shouldn't be that much time remaining. Three minutes to go.

90' - And that miss by Marta has to be the epitome of how things have been.

FINAL

LOS ANGELES SOL 0

SKY BLUE FC 1
16' Heather O'Reilly

Sky Blue FC have done it! WPS Champions...and they do it by winning three straight road games eight days. Congratulations Sky Blue FC supporters.

How about that, everyone. That's a wrap for this play-by-play. Thanks for reading.