Top Stories

WPS Week One: A Look Ahead

WPS Logo

By DAN LAULETTA 

Sky Blue FC will be forced to open defense of the WPS championship without the services of goalkeeper Jenni Branam after she suffered a broken patella in a collision during a Monday scrimmage.  Branam is expected to undergo surgery on her right knee and the timetable for her return has been estimated at four to six weeks.
 
“It’s a bummer for her,” head coach Pauliina Miettinen said.  “I feel for her.  She’s a great keeper.  But the thing happened and we move on.”
 
Branam’s helter-skelter style kept fans on the edge of their seats last summer, but she proved to be effective, posting a sub-1.00 goals against while allowing her back line to play higher than most.  Sky Blue FC will also open the season without last year’s central defense pairing.  Christie Rampone gave birth recently and Anita Asante has a torn ACL.
 
Now let’s take a look ahead to Kick-Off Weekend 2010 in WPS:


 
SATURDAY

Boston Breakers at Washington Freedom
 
The revamped Breakers pay a visit to the Freedom, who made less changes to their roster than any other team.  The Breakers will be looking to newcomers Laura Del Rio, Lauren Cheney, and Tiffany Weimer to help fill the goal while the Freedom will be looking to cut back on the league-high 32 goals they conceded in ’09.  The Breakers’ backline is not especially quick so whether or not they are able to keep speedy Lisa De Vanna in front of them will be key in this one.
 
SUNDAY

FC Gold Pride at Saint Louis Athletica
 
Marta makes her FC Gold Pride debut against her old nemesis Hope Solo and Saint Louis Athletica.  Both teams made significant changes over the winter so which team has blended together best during training camp could decide this one.  Both teams will feature former LA Sol teammates looking to take their magic to other cities.  Marta will combine with Camille Abily to headline Gold Pride’s attack.  For Athletica, Shannon Boxx and Aya Miyama will be looking to reprise the midfield magic that carried the Sol to the top of the table.

Atlanta Beat at Philadelphia Independence
 
It’s anyone’s best guess how this one will play out with two expansion teams debuting opposite each other and not much in the way of video evidence to determine how each will play.  Tobin Heath made the trip north with the Beat but her appearance in the starting lineup is in doubt.  For the Independence, the backline will not resemble what coach Paul Riley would like to see long term.  Heather Mitts has been ruled out with a hip injury and Allison Falk is suspended for the red card she drew in last year’s final.
 
Chicago Red Stars at Sky Blue FC (Fox Soccer Channel, 6pm EDT)
 
The champs dominated Chicago last year, going 3-0-1 without conceding a goal.  In Branam’s absence, new Sky Blue coach Paullina Miettinen announced an open competition between last year’s backup Karen Bardsley and rookie Ashley Thompson.  But Bardsley and her National Team experience from England would seem to have the inside track.  Look for Daphne Koster and rookie Brittany Taylor to fill the voids on the Sky Blue backline.  The Red Stars will also have a new backline with Kate Markgraf and Whitney Engen ready to make their WPS debuts.

Comments

  1. I’ll be interested in seeing how the new Atlanta Beat’s stadium works out. Isn’t this the first ever stadium built just for a professional womens soccer team? I could be wrong.

    They don’t have a lot of games on TV (one per week?). And as far as I know, there isn’t even a webcast or anything, so how will they get their fanbase to grow? Maybe they are broadcasted on local regional sports channels, I don’t know.

    Reply
  2. Anything less than the WPS championship will be a failure for Washington in my book. Maybe that seems harsh, but that is how I feel.

    Sure of the defense, keep the offense on track and the Freedom should be playing for the trophy. I’m not saying that it will or should be easy. The defensive debacles are what killed chances for glory last season.

    that had better be fixed.

    Reply
  3. What Sky Blue did last year was freaking amazing. Admist all the chaos, the players got it done. I saw that season play a preseason match last year and while they looked good in some areas on the field, I didn’t think they would lift the trophy. Especially after having to eendure more than a decade’s drama in less than a season. mad props to them.

    Reply

Leave a Comment