Boxscore (all statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial)

CARSON, Calif. (May 10, 2009) – In a match featuring two of the league’s biggest offensive stars, it was the defenses that took center stage as the Boston Breakers held the Los Angeles Sol to a 0-0 draw on the road in Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) action on Sunday afternoon at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

The result leaves the top of the standings unchanged with Los Angeles (3-1-2) and Boston (3-2-1) in first and second place with 11 and 10 points, respectively, from six matches. Boston is two points clear of third-place Chicago, although the Red Stars have a game in hand.

“Getting the point on the road is not a bad result,” said Breakers head coach Tony DiCicco. “I’m not totally satisfied, but I think it was probably the right result. It was an even game and hard-fought by both teams. I’m proud of the way our players responded in the second half. It was a little hot out here for us and they stood strong through the end, which is a compliment to our fitness staff.”

Despite the league’s top two goal scorers on display, Boston’s Kelly Smith (four goals this season) and Los Angeles’ Marta (three), both defenses kept a clean sheet. Boston's Amy LePeilbet and the Breakers back line were instrumental in warding off the intentions of Sol forwards Marta and Han Duan, while Los Angeles kept Smith off the scoresheet for the first time in WPS play.

The Breakers held an 11-8 shot advantage in the game, with the most pressure coming in the second half. The Sol outshot Boston, 7-5, in the first half, although both teams managed to hit the woodwork.

First it was Los Angeles forward Han Duan, who was one-on-one with Breakers keeper Kristin Luckenbill, but the Chinese international hit the post with her effort in the 38th minute. Just before the break, Boston’s Christine Latham hit the top of the crossbar with a header that went out of bounds.

The Sol had the best early chance in the sixth minute when Marta’s through ball found fellow forward Han Duan in stride outside the penalty area. Duan dribbled around a defender before putting a low shot on the Boston goal that was steered aside for a corner by Kristin Luckenbill.  The Sol also created a chance a minute later, but a scramble in front of the goal did not result in a clear shot on goal.  Duan had another chance in the 24th minute but her glancing header off a Martina Franko cross sailed clearly over the bar.

“I thought we played a good first half but we lacked quality finishing,” said Los Angeles Sol Head Coach Abner Rogers. “Boston is a very good team and you’re not going to get many opportunities to score against them. The chances were there today, but we need to finish better.”

The Breakers came out strong in the second half, and looked close to grabbing a late winner on one of a series of set pieces. LePeilbet had a ball cleared off the line after a header with less than five minutes remaining. Kristine Lilly, Kasey Moore and Smith each also got on the end of services late, but were all defended successfully by the Sol.

Today's contest was a rematch from last weekend in Boston when the Breakers handed Los Angeles its first loss of the season, 2-1. The teams will face each other once more in the final match of the regular season, August 9 in Boston.

The Breakers return home to face the Washington Freedom on Sunday, May 17 in a match that will be broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel (6pm ET/3pm PT). The team will honor former star Maren Meinert at halftime by inducting her as the first member to the Breakers “Pillars of Excellence”. Meinert played for the WUSA’s Boston Breakers from 2001-03 and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2003.

The Sol, meanwhile, host Sky Blue FC on Friday, May 15 (10:30pm ET/7:30pm PT).

Boxscore (all statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial)

POST-GAME QUOTES

LOS ANGELES SOL QUOTES

Abner Rogers, Head Coach

“I thought we played a good first half but we lacked quality finishing.”

“Boston is a very good team and you’re not going to get many opportunities to score against them. The chances were there today, but we need to finish better.”

Karina LeBlanc, Goalkeeper

“They have a dynamic team. It was a really good battle and we matched up well with them physically.”

BOSTON BREAKERS QUOTES

Tony DiCicco, Head Coach

“It’s not easy keeping Marta, Han and Aya out of the penalty area. They had some opportunities in the first half but we made some adjustments and defended better in the second half.”

“The tie was a just result. We performed well today."