Homare Sawa scored her first WPS goal to lift the Freedom to a 1-0 victory over Saint Louis Athletica and into fourth place.

Boxscore (all statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 18, 2009) - The Washington Freedom moved into fourth place in the WPS standings with a 1-0 victory over the visiting Saint Louis Athletica on Saturday, July 18 at RFK Stadium.

After a scoreless first half, the Freedom's Homare Sawa scored as she came down the right side of the penalty area, deflecting her shot off the foot of Kia McNeill and past goalkeeper Jillian Loyden just inside the near post in the 74th minute. The goal came in a game that saw few quality chances for either team. The win propels Washington (5-6-5) to 20 points and back into the hunt for a second place finish in WPS. The loss keeps Saint Louis (7-6-2) on 23 points and in second place for the moment pending the outcome of the Boston Breakers' match against FC Gold Pride on Sunday.

“I think for any team, besides LA, who are already in the finals, that’s all that matters: points matter, goals matter, shutouts matter. All those things come down to the end. This is a very important game. This could decide whether we get into the playoffs, whether we get a home game,” said Freedom forward Lisa DeVanna, who had two shots and was very active harrying the Athletica back four.

Kati Jo Spisak and Nicci Wright combined for the shutout.  Spisak started the match with normal Washington starter Erin McLeod on international duty with Canada, but had to be subbed out in the 64th minute with a quad injury.  Wright, the Freedom's goalkeeper coach who signed a two-day contract for this weekend's match as her team was without McLeod and the injured Briana Scurry, then entered the game and completed the shutout.

“It’s so different when you’re out of it…it’s more of a mental issue,” Wright said of her abrupt return from retirement. “I retired for a reason, because I wanted to coach.”

“There’s a feeling of relief when [the ball] makes it into your hands…[you] get that first save and you’re kinda like, I’m fine, I’m okay.”

The match started with promise for the Athletica as Head Coach Jorge Barcellos introduced a new look lineup as he sent Niki Cross out to play as a forward. The move almost paid off early in the first half. In the 10th minute, Cross found herself on the end of a ball from Amanda Cinalli that put her in on goal against Spisak. Cross rounded Spisak to the right and took her chance from a tough angle before hitting the side netting. Spisak got a hand onto Cross’ leg that just disrupted her rhythm before she got the shot off.

Cross would have two more chances before the first half was over. Kendall Fletcher and Elise Weber both provided good passes that allowed Cross two more shots. The best of which was a header from Cross that forced Spisak into a save, tipping the ball over the top of the crossbar.

But past the first half Saint Louis was unable to come up with much offensively to test the Washington backline.

“Near the end of the game, they weren’t able to put on any pressure and get any clear chances. Defensively we were solid; it was nice to have a coach back there organizing things,” said Freedom head coach Jim Gabarra.

The Freedom travel to Chicago to face the Red Stars on Sunday, July 26 in a match that will be webcast at chicagoredstars.com at 4pm ET/1pm PT.  The Athletica return to Saint Louis to host Sky Blue FC on Wednesday, July 22.

Boxscore (all statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial)