Freedom miss chance to clinch, fall to Red Stars, 2-1
by WPS - Staff Report
09/05/2010 - 08:42 p.m.
Megan Rapinoe, shown celebrating with her teammates, scored what proved to be the game-winning goal for the Chicago Red Stars in a 2-1 win over the Washington Freedom.
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BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (Sept. 5, 2010) – The Washington Freedom (7-9-7, 28 points) failed to secure a spot in the WPS Playoffs presented by MedImmune as they fell to the Chicago Red Stars (7-11-6, 27 points), 2-1, Sunday evening at Toyota Park. A win would have clinched the Freedom a spot in the post-season, so now the battle between Washington and Sky Blue FC (7-10-6, 27 points) for the fourth and final playoff berth will come down to the regular season’s final weekend.
The Red Stars, meanwhile, ended their 2010 Women's Professional Soccer season with a first in franchise history -- back-to-back victories – as Casey Nogueira and Megan Rapinoe each netted a goal in the win.
Following a scoreless first half, the Red Stars struck first when Veronica Boquete contributed the first of her two assists when she slotted the ball to Nogueira in the 50th minute. Nogueira snuck in between a pair of Washington defenders, shot to the far left post and the ball bounced off the inside of the post and into the back of the net for a 1-0 Red Stars lead.
The Red Stars added their second goal in the late-going, capitalizing on the Freedom’s misfortune as Sarah Huffman received her second yellow card in the 87th minute, and the Freedom had to play the remainder of the match shorthanded. Rapinoe tallied her first goal of the season in second-half stoppage time for a 2-0 lead.
The Freedom responded, however, with a Beverly Goebel goal about one minute later. Washington continued to pressure the Red Stars as four minutes of stoppage time was added on down the stretch. But Chicago contained the Freedom the rest of the way.
Red Stars goalkeeper Jillian Loyden only needed to make one direct save, but Washington did have plenty of attacking moments where Loyden stepped up to intercept the ball before the Freedom could complete their attack.
Washington goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris made nine saves as the Red Stars regularly peppered her with shots. Chicago held a 22-10 advantage in shots.
The Freedom host the Atlanta Beat on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 7pm ET needing a win to guarantee themselves of a spot in the WPS post-season. With a Freedom tie or loss, Sky Blue FC could snatch the playoff berth with a victory over the Boston Breakers also on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 7pm ET.
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