28 replies to this topic

[Cristobal Guillermo]

Marta scored in stoppage time and the Sol beat the Freedom 1-0 in DC.

If I have my math right, the Sol can clinch the regular-season championship Wednesday at home against St. Louis. Since the game is at noon (once again, WTF?), it'll be a tough one to get to. But I hope they win.

[Cristobal Guillermo]

St. Louis wins 1-0 on a 12th-minute goal by Cinalli. Goddammit.

An illustration that soccer can indeed be a cruel game: The Sol had more shots and an 8-1 advantage in corners, but of course only goals count.

It's the Sol's first loss at home (in their regular-season finale), but what really hurts is that they in fact could have wrapped up the regular-season championship and hosting the final by winning. As it is, their magic number is 4 points that they get or Athletica doesn't, and 2 points for the Breakers. So their chances still look good, but it's a shame to blow such a grand opportunity.

The Sol's remaining games are at the Gold Pride, at the Red Stars, and at the Breakers, and they have a couple of weeks idle to think about today. Athletica has six games left, four of them at home, although at the moment at least they have a better record on the road. The Breakers have seven games left, four at home.

I know the Sol are in good shape. But still, {Fox News blowhard}This fucking SUCKS{/Fox News blowhard}.

[Cristobal Guillermo]

St. Louis lost 0-1 at DC this afternoon. Sucks for them: They were missing at least Solo and presumably others like Chalupny for the US-Canada friendly tomorrow. Evidently WPS is following MLS' lead in ignoring the international calendar, competitive integrity be damned (Of course, the Freedom were missing people too. But it's still weak).

But it's good for the Sol, since it leaves their magic number to clinch the regular season title at one point: And win or tie by the Sol, or any loss of tie by Athletica, settles things. Athletica hosts Sky Blue Wednesday, and the Sol travel up state to visit the Gold Pride Thursday. I'd rather see the Sol clinch while actually playing, although either way is quite acceptable.

[Cristobal Guillermo]

And a 0-0 tie is just enough to put the Sol in the Final. I will be at the HDC on Aug. 22.

LA has hosted league finals before of course; it's just that the 3 MLS Cup matches here have all featured at least one and usually two teams that as a Galaxy fan I hate more than the ebola virus and the music of Phil Collins combined. So this will be one to look forward to.

[Cristobal Guillermo]

The Red Stars beat the Sol 3-1. I realize the Red Stars were playing for pride while the Sol were playing not to get injured, but still this is disheartening. I'm glad the Sol clinched their spot in the final, but the risk in doing so as early as they did is going into the big game having not played another meaningful match in a month. There's one more game between now and then, at Boston next week, and I'll be hoping it'll help shake off the cobwebs.

Big props to Red Stars fans, nearly 8,000 of whom came to the game.

[Cristobal Guillermo]

The Sol spotted the Breakers a goal but came back to eliminate the Breakers by 2-1 and put Sky Blue into the playoffs.

So T. S. for the Breakers and Kristine Lilly. I know she saved the WNT's kiesters in the '99 World Cup final and had a humongous goal against Germany in the '04 Olympics. But the '07 World Cup, I'm convinced, would have been so much less awful without her dreadful captaining, taking sides in the whole Scurry vs. Solo fiasco. The Universe is telling you to follow Hamm, Foudy, et aliae into honored retirement, Ms. Lilly; take the hint.

As for the Sol, it had been too long without a win. This leaves me a whole lot more confident about the Final in a couple of weeks.

[Cristobal Guillermo]

Okay, we've known for almost a month that the Sol would be playing in the championship. Now we finally know who they'll be playing against: Sky Blue FC beat St. Louis 1-0. This result has to be considered something of a stunner, even if Athletica was missing outstanding forward Eniola Aluko to the European championships.

Sky Blue picked an excellent time to get hot, and the decision to install Rampone as player-coach just before the end of the regular season is looking more inspired all the time. Neverthless, I believe we will prevail: Camille Abily may also be in Europe, but Marta is not.

[Cristobal Guillermo]

Well, I guess it was a great season with a shitty ending.

What's left that I have a question about is the collision between Miyama and O'Reilly in the Joisey box in the 51st minute. I was at the other end of the stadium so I couldn't tell if non-call was legit. Between that and the red card, the ref didn't do the Sol any favors, but then the Sol's attack never really seemed to come together.

The Sol's first season ends similarly to the Galaxy's, although not really as heartbreaking. The Galaxy blew a 2-0 lead in the last 17 minutes in '96; the Sol never looked on top of things today. Still, I have the same feeling of unfinished business for the Sol that I had for the Gs then, the one that left me feeling like really Captain Ahab was I guy I understood.

So congratulations, Sky Orange, and from hell's heart I stab at thee, etc., etc.

[UncleLTrain]

Well, I guess it was a great season with a shitty ending.

What's left that I have a question about is the collision between Miyama and O'Reilly in the Joisey box in the 51st minute. I was at the other end of the stadium so I couldn't tell if non-call was legit. Between that and the red card, the ref didn't do the Sol any favors, but then the Sol's attack never really seemed to come together.

The Sol's firsit season ends similarly to the Galaxy's, although not really as heartbreaking. The Galaxy blew a 2-0 lead in the last 17 minutes in '96; the Sol never looked on top of things today. Still, I have the same feeling of unfinished business for the Sol that I had for the Gs then, the one that left me feeling like really Captain Ahab was I guy I understood.

So congratulations, Sky Orange, and from hell's heart I stab at thee, etc., etc.

DVR'd the game. Didn't watch it yet. I'll review said non-call when I get around to it.

[Binks]

Well, I guess it was a great season with a shitty ending.

What's left that I have a question about is the collision between Miyama and O'Reilly in the Joisey box in the 51st minute. I was at the other end of the stadium so I couldn't tell if non-call was legit. Between that and the red card, the ref didn't do the Sol any favors, but then the Sol's attack never really seemed to come together.

Non-call was legit. The Sol had plenty of favors this seasion in my mind and in the end, the final was a better one that many an MLS Cup.

[Zero Cool]

So...we're not posting in here anymore then?

[UncleLTrain]

Was just thinking that. Haven't been to a SkyBlue game yet this year. Funny how that happens.

[Binks]

I guess we aren't.

[GiveMeTheGalaxy]

nope. not anymore