July 27, 2010
WPS THIS WEEK-PART 1
A look at Wednesday’s games

Wednesday, July 28
Chicago Red Stars (4-7-5, 17pts) at Philadelphia Independence (7-5-3, 24pts), 7pm ET, John A. Farrell Stadium, West Chester, PA

The Independence snapped a two-game losing streak on Saturday, breaking out for their best offensive performance of the season, a 4-1 win over Sky Blue FC. Caroline Seger assisted on three of the goals and was named the Philly Soccer News and WPS Player of the Week. Forward Amy Rodriguez continued her hot scoring pace, with two goals to put her back into sole possession of second place on the WPS scoring list behind Marta.

The Independence currently hold a five point lead for the second playoff spot over Boston, with the Chicago Red Stars only one point back for the final spot in the WPS playoffs.

This will be only the second meeting of the season between the Independence and Red Stars. Philadelphia won the first match on May 15th, 1-0, the final game for Chicago Head Coach Emma Hayes before her dismissal by the Red Stars.
Chicago is hoping to snap a two-game losing streak, most recently falling to the Boston Breakers, 3-1, on Sunday. Despite that loss, Red Stars’ goalkeeper Jillian Loyden is third in WPS rankings for Goals Against Average with at 1.00 through 15 games. Chicago is winless against the WPS newcomers, going 0-2-2 against the two 2010 expansion teams so far this season.


Washington Freedom (4-6-5, 17pts) at Atlanta Beat (3-7-4, 13 pts), 7:30pm ET, KSU Soccer Stadium, Kennesaw, GA
The Freedom have won their first two games against the Beat, but their already struggling defense comes limping into Atlanta following an injury to goalkeeper Erin Mcleod. Rookie Ashlyn Harris will be in goal for the Freedom, which has the worst defensive record in the league, having given up 23 goals. Atlanta’s defense is not much better, with 19 goals against. They also have the league’s most anemic offense, with only 9 goals in 14 games.

The Beat are coming off back-to-back wins for the first time in their history, while Washington will be trying to earn their first win since May 30th. The Freedom have lost three straight and are winless in their last eight games dating back to May 30.


Atlanta’s Eniola Aluko is the league’s fourth-highest scorer this season and is responsible for both game-winning goals last week for Atlanta’s two victories. Washington’s Abby Wambach continues to be among the league leaders in goals (6) and assists (7), while teammate Sonia Bompastor has four assists.