PreGame Pics of SBFC/LA Sol

This past Sunday, Sky Blue FC hosted the LA Sol at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ. Below are pictures from the pregame festivities. Enjoy:

Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative

Four years ago FC Gold Pride star Brandi Chastain, Olympic gold medalist Julie Foudy, and former GM of the San Jose CyberRays Marlene Bjornsrud founded the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative (BAWSI). Its mission is to "create programs and partnerships through which women athletes bring health, hope and wholeness to the community."

Recently, the FC Gold Pride team made BAWSI one of the FC Gold Pride Charities, its community-based nonprofit organization that looks to mentor young girls through participation in soccer-related events. Just last week, the Gold Pride visited Bowers Elementary School in Santa Clara, CA to talk about soccer, exercise, and health. I believe handing out free tickets to the opening day game was also in the agenda! Here are some pictures of the event (courtesy of BAWSI):

California Teams Take Sunday

Los Angeles Sol 2, Sky Blue FC 0
For more info, check out my blog on OleOle.
I'll post some pics from today's game tomorrow. (had Twitterberry and camera issues today)

FC Gold Pride 2, Boston Breakers 1
I only saw the last few minutes, but what I will say is I REALLY enjoy watching Kelly Smith. She is tough as nails, and when the game is on the line she does everything in her power to get her team back on top. Did anyone see that foul in the 2nd half where she was practically bear-hugging a Gold Pride player to prevent her from getting to the ball? Haha. Love it.

As for as Milbrett's last-minute, game-winning goal. People say it's about being in the right place at the right time. I agree, but if you can't finish, it doesn't matter when and where you are. Way to be Millie!

Red Stars Top Athletica

For weeks I've thought about making the 13+hour drive from Philadelphia to Edwardsville, IL for the Athletica home-opener. Since I have to cover the Sky Blue FC game tomorrow for American Soccer News and OleOle I was concerned I wouldn't make it back in time (mind you, I still need to dedicate a few hours to getting a lil' shut-eye). Now, after following tonight's game on MatchTracker and Twitter, I regret not giving it a shot.

After 90 minutes of solid soccer, between two teams that I think are pretty evenly matched, the Chicago Red Stars defeated the St. Louis Athletica 1-0, thanks to a Lindsay Tarpley goal in the 78th minute. I never thought they'd get one past my girl, Solo, but if anyone could do it, it'd be Lindsay Tarpley. Props to Marian Dalmy for the assist.

Though the game was in St. Louis territory, Chicago did what every good team should do...They bussed fans down from Chicago, with Pabst Blue Ribbon in hand, and brought a lil' bit of Chi-town to Southern Illinois University. I love it!! Who knows, maybe that extra fan support is just what the team needed to pull out its first road win.

Congrats to the Red Stars!

Keep your eyes on WPS.com for more game-day reports from the Athletica home-opener.

A Big Weekend

This is another important weekend for WPS, as 3 of its teams host their home openers:

Saturday, April 4
Chicago Red Stars @ St. Louis Athletica - 7pm CT

Sunday, April 5
Los Angeles Sol @ NY/NJ Sky Blue FC - 4pm EST
Boston Breakers @ FC Gold Pride - 6pm EST (broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel)

Follow me on Twitter on Sunday, April 5 as I report from Bridgewater, NJ at Sky Blue's home opener. They have announced some opening day highlights including the coin toss by New Jersey Govenor John Corzine and an honorary first kick byUS Soccer hall-of-famer Julie Foudy. Personally, I'm excited to see Foudy back out on the pitch, if only for a moment.