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Sol suffer their first loss at home against the St. Louis Athletica

Wednesday, 08 July 09, 09:42 PM · Comments(0)

The LA Sol played their last home game of the season against the St. Louis Athletica on a HOT day in LA. Athletica became the first team to defeat LA on their home turf in a 1-0 decision.

The goal was scored in the 11th minute by Amanda Cinalli. Eniola Aluko made a run down the wing where she got past Sol defenders Manya Makoski and Brittany Bock into the box and served a diagonal, where Cinalli shot the ball into an almost open net.

Marta almost tied the game in the 20th minute when she hit a low shot towards the far post, but Hope Solo dove to her left and barely got to the ball. Han Duan almost scored in the 31st minute, but Solo deflected the low shot out of danger. Neither team created any dangerous chances for the remainder of the half.

Sol came out of the locer room refreshed, and determined to score goals. They had a couple of chances, but the St. Louis defense denied their shots.

Marta had another chance in the 58th minute when she sent a corner kick to the crossber. Solo punched it out of danger.

Bock almost got the equalizer in the 63rd minute when she headed a corner kick to the near side of the goal, but Solo made a huge reaction save to keep her team in it.

In the 67th minute, Sol had probably the best opportunity of the match. Marta's pass across the goal got to Aya Miyama's feet. She took her time to try and get a goos shot on goal, but Solo saves it with her knees.

The Sol suffered their 2nd loss this season, and only their first at home. Hope Solo made four big saves to earn her 6th shutout of the season.

LA seemed a bit slower. They weren't controlling the ball well in the midfield, and they didn't seem to click like they usually do. It could be that they are a little worn out from their tough game on Sunday against the Washington Freedom. They only had one day to recover from it, and their legs were heavy, but Coach Abner Rogers says"...there are no excuses."

This loss seems to be very shocking for a team like the Sol, who have dominated from the start. Truth is, I don't think team LA is really bummed about it as they sit comfortably at the top of the league standings in 1st place with 37 points. Athletica is in second place with 23, and have widened the gap between them and the 3rd place Boston Breakers (18 points).

A win today would have made the Sol WPS season champions, and earned them the right to host the WPS Final on August 22. We'll have to wait and see what happens until July 23rd when LA takes on FC Gold Pride at Buck Shaw Stadium at 7pm PT. Coincidentally enough, both teams again will be without their starting 'keepers and a few field players as the US and Canada will play a friendly match the day before, which will be broadcast Live on ESPN at 12pm PT (more on that at the US Women's blog).

For Sol, goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc will be playing for Canada, defender Stephanie Cox will wear the US jersey for the first time this year, and midfielder Shannon Boxx will sport the red, white, and blue again.

As for FC Gold Pride, Leslie Osborne will suit up for the US for the first time since her ACL injury last year in May. Goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart will also suit up for the US, as well as defender Rachel Buehler.

Sol suffer their first loss at home against the St. Louis Athletica

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