Sol shines in the morning

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Jun 29, 2009

[WPS] In a rare match with a 10 a.m. kickoff, the WPS leading Los Angeles Sol -- no surprise here -- routed the last-place Chicago Red Stars, 4-0, to move closer to clinching the first playoff berth in the playoffs.

Brazilian Marta and Frenchwoman Camille Abily are now tied for the league lead with eight goals apiece after Marta scored twice and Abily struck once in the win.

Shannon Boxx had opened the Sol's offensive barrage in the 15th minute with her second goal of the season.

Japanese Aya Miyama had two assists to boost her lead in that category to five on the season.

Saint Louis Athletica improved its playoff chances with a 2-1 win at Sky Blue FC.

Results:
June 27 in Carson, Calif.
Los Angeles 4 Chicago 0. Goals: Boxx (Zerboni) 15, Abily, (Miyama), 20, Marta (Miyama), 62. Marta (Wagner), 92+.
Los Angeles - LeBlanc, Larkin, Falk (Bock, 59), Franko, Cox, Zerboni (Wagner, 72), Abily (Makoski, 80), Boxx, Miyama, Duan, Marta.
Chicago - Jonsson, Spilger, Krzysik (Cristiane, 31), Oakes, Ostberg, Carney, Igwe (Adams, 77), Klein (Vandenbergh, 58), Rapinoe, Lloyd, Tarpley.
Yellow Cards: Chicago - Igwe 46, Klein 57, Carney 61.
Referee: Bryan Roslund.
Att.: 4,653.
 
June 28 in Piscataway, N.J.
Sky Blue FC 1 St. Louis 2. Goals: Sitch 76; Aluko (Chalupny) 2, Weber (Tancredi) 84.
Sky Blue FC - Branam, Schnur (McCallum, 63), Asante, Rampone, Dowling, Averbuch (Buczkowski, 66), O'Reilly, Parker, Rosana (Sitch, 70), Kai, White.
St. Louis - Solo, Logterman, Larsson Ellertson (Weber, 79), McNeill, Fletcher, Cinalli (Tancredi 63), Woznuk, Chalupny, Aluko, Welsh (Stoia, 45).
Referee: Felisha Mariscal.
Att.: 3,256.
 
Standings:
TEAM W L T GF GA P
Los Angeles 10 1 4 23 5 34
Boston 5 4 3 14 13 18
St. Louis 5 5 2 11 12 17
Washington 4 4 4 17 19 16
Sky Blue FC 3 6 3 8 11 12
FC Gold Pride 3 6 3 11 17 12
Chicago 2 6 5 8 15 11