Week 8: Sol and Sky Blue debut on Universal Sports
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, May 15, 2009
Friday, May 15
Los Angeles Sol vs. Sky Blue FC, 10:30 pm ET (TV: Universal Sports)
Venue: Home Depot Center, Carson, CA
By the Numbers
The Sol leads WPS in average attendance with a three-game average of 9,053. Boston is second in average attendance at 6,418. The league average is 5,380 per game.
On the Air
Universal Sports will provide local coverage in Los Angeles and New York of Friday's game between the big market teams of Sky Blue FC and the Los Angeles Sol. It will also air the rematch on June 13.
Saturday, May 16
Chicago vs. FC Gold Pride, 8:30 pm ET
Venue: Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL
In the Spotlight
Lindsay Tarpley, the two-time Olympic champion, scored in each of her first two games for the Red Stars but has been scoreless since then. She is one of three U.S. national team midfielders from Chicago called up for the since-canceled Japan series (replaced by a single game against Canada).
What They're Saying
"This is the first time I've watched tape of another team in the league and thought, 'They look just like us.' They have talent on the attack and a very strong midfield. They're a dangerous club."
-- Chicago coach Emma Hayes.
Sunday, May 17
Boston Breakers vs. Washington Freedom, 6 pm ET (Fox Soccer Channel)
Venue: Harvard Stadium, Cambridge, MA
In the Spotlight
Much has been written about the Sol's Marta and Boston's Kelly Smith, but Frenchwoman Sonia Bompastor has been one of the best foreigners in WPS. After returning from international duty abroad, she carried the Freedom in its last game, a 3-3 tie with St. Louis, scoring twice on headers -- the second goal in the 90th minute.
Matchup
The leaky Freedom defense (12 goals allowed in five games) will be put to the test against a Boston attack that is led by stars Kelly Smith and Kristine Lilly, who have a combined six of Boston's eight goals.
Standings:
TEAM W L T GF GA P
Los Angeles 3 1 2 6 2 11
Boston 3 2 1 8 8 10
Chicago 2 1 2 6 3 8
FC Gold Pride 2 3 1 7 8 7
Sky Blue FC 1 2 2 3 4 5
St. Louis 1 2 2 4 6 5
Washington 1 2 2 9 12 5
