WPS

Last Saturday was a historic day. It was the date of the first ever WPS Playoff Game. It was also the first WPS game I ever watched with my wife. She is not a huge soccer fan, but we were killing time in a hotel room before meeting friends, and I got her to watch the 2nd half. Now she is hooked. Talk about exciting! It’s been proven. WPS can deliver thrills. 

Natasha Kai of Sky Blue FC earned her “star” status with the first goal of that 2nd half. It was classic Kai, who used her athleticism and speed to score. My wife was less impressed with her soccer prowess than she was with Kai’s multitude of tattoos. 20 minutes later, the Washington Freedom leveled the score, but with only 5 minutes left, NJ won it.   Read more... (272 words, 1 image, estimated 1:05 mins reading time)

To (once again) quote Jim Mora: “Playoffs?” Already? Playoffs? Seriously. I wish the WPS season was longer, I really do, but unfortunately it is still a new organization (one that has sustained its initial success nicely if you ask me) so only 20 games will have to do for Year One. But, I bet this league does stay alive and entertain us for decades.

Why wouldn’t it? Look at the excitement the final week provided. Sky Blue went on the road and beat FCGP to keep their playoff dreams alive. Then, after Washington booked their ticket by brutally beating Sky Blue, the NJ Girls still got in the playoffs because the Sol decided to cap off their stellar season with a narrow win over the Breakers.  Read more... (320 words, 1 image, estimated 1:17 mins reading time)

2009 WPS Power Rankings (08/05)

Last Week’s Ranking in Parenthesis…  Read more... (274 words, 1 image, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)

1. Los Angeles Sol (1): Yes, the Sol looked ugly losing to the Red Stars. But, they had also already clinched the regular season title and were biding their (considerable) time until the inaugural WPS Championship.    
2. Saint Louis Athletica (2): SLA clinched the #2 spot in the playoffs by picking up a win in their usual style, a shutout. SLA scares LA not just because they are good, but because they save their best for crunch time.    
3.  Washington Freedom (4): The Freedom’s big win over Boston was tainted by a tough loss to FCGP. They will control their own destiny this last week, but a loss to Sky Blue and a Breakers’ win could break their heart.   

2009 WPS Power Rankings (07/29)

Last Week’s Ranking in Parenthesis…  Read more... (285 words, 1 image, estimated 1:08 mins reading time)

1. Los Angeles Sol (1): LA already clinched home field advantage. I’m not kidding. They are that good. If they lose the Cup, it will be a miracle. But, this is soccer, and it could happen. I wouldn’t bet against them though.  
2. Saint Louis Athletica (3): A long week with two games ends with one win and one draw for SLA. They are now #2 on the table, and #2 on my Power Rankings. I think they can knock off LA. Well, if anyone can that is.    

2009 WPS Power Rankings (07/16)

Last Week’s Ranking in Parenthesis…  Read more... (300 words, 1 image, estimated 1:12 mins reading time)

1. Los Angeles Sol (1): The Sol DNP (“did not play”) so I WNMT (“will not move them”). That last one almost looks like WNT (“women’s national team”). They look better than 99% of national teams, and I think they are #1 for good.
2. Boston Breakers (4): BB had two games last week, and they won them both in shutout fashion. Thus, they deserve their two spot rise up the rankings. The question before them now is “Can you sustain your success?”  

2009 WPS Power Rankings (07/16)

Last Week’s Ranking in Parenthesis…  Read more... (295 words, 1 image, estimated 1:11 mins reading time)

1. Los Angeles Sol (1): Well, I’m not going to bump the Sol becuse they finally lost their second game in a heartbreaker to the #2 team. They’re still #1 and have still only given up six freaking goals all season, after all.   
2. Saint Louis Athletica (2): I love SLA as a squad. Not super talented, but definitely gritty and full of desire. Last week, they knocked off LA (@LA), so they have now firmly entrenched themselves as a top team to beat. 

2009 WPS Power Rankings (07/08)

Last Week’s Ranking in Parenthesis…  Read more... (284 words, 1 image, estimated 1:08 mins reading time)

1. Los Angeles Sol (1): What can you say about the Sol and Marta. They are the best team and she is the best player. Her late goal gave the team three more points (in a road game no less) and they got another shutout.  
2. Saint Louis Athletica (3): SLA got it done on the road against Gold Pride, and in the process they easily surged into 2nd place in WPS. While they can’t beat the Sol yet, they are emerging as the one team who might.

2009 WPS Power Rankings (07/01)

Last Week’s Ranking in Parenthesis…  Read more... (292 words, 1 image, estimated 1:10 mins reading time)

1. Los Angeles Sol (1): The Sol aren’t even making the inaugural season of MLS sporting for the fans. They won two more games last week to bring their total to 10, and they have only one loss and so far ceded only 5 goals. 
2. Boston Breakers (3): The Breakers looked smart at Harvard Field, playing tactically crisp defense and blanking the dangerous Freedom attack. I still think they are mediocre, but I have to admit they have grit.
3. Saint Louis Athletica (4): SLA had a good week, although they lost a tough battle @ home to the talented Sol. They got over their disappointment though by besting Sky Blue in an equally hard-fought game.

2009 WPS Power Rankings (06/24)

Last Week’s Ranking in Parenthesis…  Read more... (300 words, 1 image, estimated 1:12 mins reading time)

1. Los Angeles Sol (1): Another week, another goal for Marta, and (yet) another win for the Sol. They have twice as many wins as #2, and they have only given up 4 goals all season. They are the undisputed #1 squad.
2. Washington Freedom (3): The Freedom are on a tear, winning another game (this time on the road). While their defense is still a little weak, their offense is the league’s best, so I think they will keep rising in ’09.