Sol Outshines Freedom

In the first ever Women's Professional Soccer match, home team Los Angeles Sol defeated opponent Washington Freedom, 2-0, in front of a 14,832-person crowd in Carson, California.

Though Washington Freedom had the first shot of the game, it was the Los Angeles Sol that gained the early lead with a goal in the 6th minute. Off a great set piece by midfielder Aya Miyama, Sol defender Allison Falk was able to beat goalkeeper Briana Scurry midair and get a head on the ball to finish. I am confident the Scurry-of-old would have been able to break up that play easily, since the ball was actually in her hands, but a case of butterfingers surfaced and Falk jumped at the opportunity... literally. To quote WPS Fox Soccer commentators Mark Rogondino and Jenn Hildreth (who happen to be former keepers), "When in doubt, punch it out."

Throughout the first half, and much of the game, the Washington Freedom seemed to be slow on the attack and had very little movement off the ball. Freedom star player Abby Wambach only touched the ball a handful of times in the first 45 minutes. There were numerous times in the game when Wambach was the lone red shirt in a sea of Sol blue. She lacked support from her midfield and fellow forwards.

The best opportunity for the Freedom came in the 24th minute when Sonia Bompastor served a great ball to Wambach, who after a quick touch, blasted the ball toward charging Sol goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc. LeBlanc, who deflected the ball off her right leg, was later named player of the game by LA Sol General Manager, Charlie Naimo (via Twitter) for that very stop.

In the second half, Marta and her Sol-mates continued to dominate, however the Freedom seemed to come out of its shell...sorta. In the 49th minute, Freedom defender Cat Whitehill (the free kick specialist) served a great ball into the box. It caused so much chaos that four players went down, including LeBlanc. This left the net WIDE OPEN for Freedom's Lisa De Vanna, however her shot went over the crossbar. Doh!

The Freedom defense, anchored by Whitehill, was fairly solid throughout the game, however, Marta did catch them offguard on several occasions with fast-paced, creative runs and perfect through-passes. In the 87th minute, Marta proved to be too much of a challenge for Whitehill's warriors. During a Sol counter attack, started by Brittany Bock, Marta sent a beautiful ball to attacking Sol midfielder Camille Abily. Abily was able to draw Scurry out of the net just enough to easily chip the ball over her head and into the back of the net. Needless to say, that goal was the nail in the coffin for the Freedom.

The Los Angeles Sol will travel to Bridgewater, NJ on April 5 to face Sky Blue FC, while the Washington Freedom will take advantage of its week off to scrimmage the University of Virginia on April 4.

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Starting Lineups:

LA: 23-Karina LeBlanc (GK), 2- Kendall Fletcher (18-Katie Larkin, 46), 3-Allison Falk, 7-Shannon Boxx (Captain), 14-Stephanie Cox, 8-Aya Miyama, 11-Brittany Bock, 20-Camille Abily, 22-Manya Makoski, 9-Han Duan (13-Christie Welsh, 84), 10-Marta.

WSH: 1-Briana Scurry (GK), 4-Cat Whitehill, 11-Emily Janss, 21-Alex Singer, 22-Becky Sauerbrunn, 6-Lori Lindsey (3-Jill Gilbeau, 72), 8-Sonia Bompastor, 9-Allie Long, 10-Homare Sawa, 20-Abby Wambach (Captain), 25-Claire Zimmeck (17-Lisa De Vanna, 43).

Goals: Falk (6'), Abily (87')

For more stats on the game, visit the WPS Matchtracker.