LOS ANGELES SOL DROPS 2-1 DECISION TO THE BOSTON BREAKERS

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. – Saturday, May 2, 2009– The Los Angeles Sol (Women’s Professional Soccer) suffered a 2-1 loss at the hands of the Boston Breakers Saturday night at Harvard Stadium.

Midfielder Kelly Smith opened the scoring for the Breakers (3-2-0, 9 pts.) in the second minute when the Sol failed to clear a ball from their defensive third of the field.  Smith collected the ball and calmly beat a diving Karina LeBlanc – the first time the Sol defense has surendered a goal this season.

Forward Han Duan nearly equalized for the Sol (3-1-1, 10 pts.) in the 17th minute, but her effort from just outside the penalty area sailed high of the Breakers goal.  In the 44th minute, Marta made a 50-yard run into the box from the left side of midfield, nearly reaching the endline, but her low cross did not find a teammate and was cleared by the Breakers defense and Boston finished the half with the 1-0 lead.

Midfielder Kristine Lilly doubled the lead for the Breakers ten minutes after the break when she corralled Stacy Bishop’s pass and put her low shot into the side netting and past LeBlanc.

Los Angeles rookie defender Brittany Bock trimmed the lead to 2-1 in the 63rd minute when she rose above the Boston defense and got Aya Miyama’s free kick past Breakers ‘keeper Kristin Luckinbill, who stayed firmly planted on her line.

The Sol had a few chances to equalize in the final twenty minutes, including a shot by Marta in the closing moments, but they were unable to hit home and the Breakers clinched the 2-1 win.

Courtesy of: Los Angeles Sol

Picture of the Day

Marta poses with coach Kleiton Lima from Brazil, coach Silvia Neid from Germany and striker Birgit Prinz. Loving it!

LOS ANGELES SOL EDGE FC GOLD PRIDE 1-0 FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE SHUTOUT VICTORY

CARSON, CALIFORNIA – Sunday, April 19, 2009 – The Los Angeles Sol (Women’s Professional Soccer) defeated FC Gold Pride (Bay Area), 1-0, on a scorching Sunday afternoon at The Home Depot Center to claim its third consecutive shutout victory of the season.

“It was great to see the excitement today,” said Los Angeles Sol Head Coach Abner Rogers.
“There were a lot of great scoring opportunities for both teams. You usually don’t see that type of excitement in a 1-0 game.”

After trading scoring opportunities for the first 44 minutes of the game, Japanese international Aya Miyama received a well placed through ball that gave the Sol a one-on-one scoring opportunity in the closing moments of the first half. But with pressure from FC Gold Pride keeper Nicole Barnhart, Miyama was forced to take a quick shot six yards out that grazed the outside right post and ended the half.

With halftime providing the Sol with an opportunity to escape the heat and regroup, they opened the second half with a new energy and a new formation that allowed them to set the tone for the rest of the game.

In the 47th minute, midfielder Aly Wagner chipped a ball over the backline that found Marta running in stride through the 18 yard box. Marta settled the ball down, took a quick touch and placed it past Barnhart into the back of the net.

“Marta made a great run and was in the gap,” said Wagner. “I played a ball over the backline into an open space and she did a great job finishing it.”

The Los Angeles Sol will be on the road for the next two weeks with games in Saint Louis and Boston before returning home to face on the Boston Breakers on Sunday, May 10 at 1p.m. (PT) at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.

Scoring Summary

Marta 47’ (Wagner)

Lineups

Los Angeles Sol: 23 – LeBlanc (GK), 3 – Falk (D), 11 – Bock (D), 14 – Cox (D), 22 – Makoski  (D), 4 – Wagner (M) (12 – Sari, 82’) , 7 – Boxx (M – Capt.), 8 – Miyama (M), 20 – Abily (M) (18 – Larkin, 92’), 10 – Marta (F), 13-Welsh (F) (17 – Bogus, 67’)

FC Gold Pride: 1 – Barnhart (GK), 4 – Buehler (D), 7 – Robinson (D) (13 – Graczyk, 57’), 9 –Wilson (D), 19 – Dew (D) (20 – Erika, 15’) , 5 – DiMartino (M), 10 – Osborne (M – Capt.), 31 – Formiga (M), 8 – Weimer (F) (15 – Milbrett, 67’), 12 – Sinclair (F), 30 – Arakawa (F)

Misconduct Summary

Aly Wagner – Los Angeles Sol – (caution) 10’

Referee: Veronica Brito

SAR: Adam Brugman

JAR: Maurizo Laudani

4th Official: Felisha Mariscal

Attendance: 6,119

Courtesy of: Los Angeles Sol

CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL MARTINA FRANKO SIGNS WITH THE LOS ANGELES SOL

CARSON, CA – Thursday, April 16, 2009 – The Los Angeles Sol of Women’s Professional Soccer, who has opened the 2009 season with two consecutive victories, has signed defender Martina Franko to a contract, the club announced today. Per club and WPS policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Franko, a Canadian National Team member who has earned 54 caps and scored 5 goals as a forward for the Maple Leafs, played at Colorado College and currently ranks second on the Tigers’ all-time scoring list with 107 career points. She also took the pitch for the Vancouver Whitecaps from 2001-2005 and played an integral role in helping them to two W-League Championships in 2003 and 2005.

“Martina is an experienced leader who will bring a veteran presence to our young and diverse team,” said Head Coach Abner Rogers. “Her understanding of what it takes to be successful on the pitch will be invaluable to the success of our season.”

Franko, who became a Canadian citizen through marriage, becomes the seventh international representative on the Sol roster, joining fellow Canadian National Team member and standout goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc, three-time defending FIFA World Player of the Year Marta from Brazil, Aya Miyama of Japan, Han Duan of China, Camille Abily of France and Johanna Frisk, from Sweden. The club also features U.S. Internationals Shannon Boxx, Stephanie Cox, Kendall Fletcher and Aly Wagner.

Courtesy of: Los Angeles Sol

Marta Goals vs Sky Blue FC

Finally some video, thanks to the LA Sol

 

Marta Spoils Sky Blue FC’s Debut Celebration

SOMERSET, N.J. (April 5, 2009) – Everything went right for Sky Blue FC’s Debut Celebration in Women’s Professional Soccer until Marta spoiled the party. The Brazilian sensation Marta connected twice in a two-minute span late in the first half to lead the Los Angeles Sol to a 2-0 victory at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ.

Besides the score line, the day was a success for Sky Blue FC, which debuted in front of 6,053 fans – a sell-out. The NJ/NY WPS franchise concludes its two-game season-opening stand at TD Bank Ballpark next Saturday when it hosts FC Gold Pride of California at 7:45 p.m.

Sky Blue FC had its chances in the match but Sol goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc, who serves as a an assistant coach at nearby Rutgers University, made one decisive save in each half to claim the shutout. In the 31st minute, the Canadian keeper dove to parry away a header by Jen Buczkowski off a corner kick. In the 85th minute, with Sky Blue FC pressing, Kacey White sent in a corner kick the fell to Sarah Walsh in front but LeBlanc made the save of the game stuffing Walsh before Anita Asante fired the rebound over the bar.

Marta’s effort came in the closing minutes of the first half not long after Sky Blue FC captain and defensive leader Christie Rampone left the game with a strained hamstring in the 27th minute. In the 42nd minute, Marta took advantage of a giveaway and split two defenders before slotting a shot under Sky Blue FC goalkeeper Jenni Branam.

In the 44th minute, Han Duan set up the second goal as she carried the ball up the left side before serving a perfect cross for Marta to stuff home from close range.

Tickets are available for Saturday’s match against FC Gold Pride at TD Bank Ballpark. Call 888-SBFC-TIX or visit www.SkyBlueFC.com for the latest ticket specials.

GOALS                    1           2                    Total
Los Angeles             2           0                       2
Sky Blue FC             0           0                      0

Goal     Time         Team                       Goal Scorer                Assists
1         42          Los Angeles                    Marta                           –
2         45          Los Angeles                    Marta                     Han Duan

Courtesy of: Sky Blue FC

LOS ANGELES SOL SIGNS LIZ BOGUS

CARSON, CA – Thursday, April 2, 2009 – The Los Angeles Sol of Women’s Professional Soccer, fresh off a 2-0 defeat of the Washington Freedom in their first-ever match, have signed forward Liz Bogus to a developmental contract, the club announced today. Per club and WPS policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The 25-year old Bogus tallied 31 goals and 18 assists during her four-year career with Arizona State University, picking up the Pac-10 Conference Freshman of the Year award in 2002 and earning Pac-10 First Team honors in 2002 and 2005.  She joins a Los Angeles Sol side that already features three-time defending FIFA World Player of the Year Marta and U.S. National Team fixtures Shannon Boxx and Aly Wagner.

“Bogi possesses exceptional pace and athleticism,” General Manager Charlie Naimo said. “She is a terrific all-around player that will truly be an asset to this team.”

The 2002 Gatorade Utah High School Player of the Year will join former ASU teammate Manya Makoski on the pitch for the Sol.

Courtesy of: Los Angeles Sol

LA Sol win first WPS Match 2-0 over Freedom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For all women soccer fans March 30, 2009 marked a new day in history. After six long years women’s professional soccer finally returned to the USA.  As a fan and player I was so excited. I was eager to finally watch my hometown team the LA Sol finally take the field, especially Marta. I was so pleased by the crowd turnout of almost 15,000 people. The atmosphere at the HDC was amazing, thanks to the Galaxy and now Sol supporter group Angel City Brigade. If you where at the stadium or watched the game on TV I’m sure you where able to hear us cheer along the Sol. Make sure to come by section 121 and sit with the ACB and cheer the Sol on.

As I check the soccer blogs and forums it seems the two main topics of discussion are:

Did Allison Faulk really score the first goal? Or did she foul Scurry? Well as I watched the replay over and over (even on freeze frame on my DVR) it doesn’t look to me like Faulk touched the ball and she did kind of run into Scurry. However, the ref did not call it so the goal stands period. Even if Faulk’s goal would not have counted I do believe the Sol out played the Freedom and deserved to win.

Almost 15,000 fans for the first match now what? Can it last? Ok now lets be realistic, since it’s the first league match of course their will be more fans that are expected for the rest of the season. WPS goal is about 4,000 – 6,000, which I do think is doable. I do think we will have a bigger picture of how the league is doing and how it will do in about the third season. But I hope their is not a severe drop off in attendance. 

By the way I re-watched the match as I recorded it on my DVR man Miyama was amazing she was all over the place. Marta was Marta, amazing skill. Faulk was a good solid defender. I’m defiantly looking forward to watching Johanna Frisk play in a game, she looked really well in training. 

Extraordinary Boxx

See Extraordinary: Los Angeles Sol midfielder Shannon Boxx defines extraordinary control and strength. See Shannon and other Women’s Professional Soccer stars on Fox Soccer Channel all season long on WPS Sunday on FSC or buy tickets to see Shannon and Co. play.

Gillette World of Sport: LA Sol

Courtesy of: Women’s Pro Soccer