July 24, 2010 (West Chester, PA)--The Philadelphia Independence posted a decisive 4-1 win over regional rival Sky Blue FC at John A. Farrell Stadium tonight. With another two goals from Amy Rodriguez, and three assists from Caroline Seger, the Independence put on a dominant offensive performance and earned three points at home.
Despite blistering heat, both teams came out playing at pace and pushing forward hard. Sky Blue had the first real chance on goal in the fifth minute when Kasey White struck a ball from 25 yards out and nailed the crossbar. The Independence countered immediately, and the ball was played to Caroline Seger running up the flank. Seger’s cross curled in behind the defense and found the head of Joanna Lohman, who buried the ball to give the Independence a 1-0 lead.
Just one minute later, Seger played another killer ball through to Amy Rodriguez who beat the back line with her blazing speed and buried the ball over keeper Kristin Luckenbill to make it 2-0. The goal marked Rodriguez’s eighth of the season, a tally she would increase to nine in the second half.
Holmfridur Magnusdottir, the only Icelandic player in WPS, scored her first goal of the season in the 21st minute to give the Independence a three goal lead, a score that held until the half. Magnusdottir collected a loose ball just past the halfway mark and carried it up the sideline, beating her defender by cutting the ball inside to her right and burying it low past the keeper.
Sky Blue FC had very few chances in the remainder first half, with the best chance coming in the 31st minute when Kierstin Dallstream beat her defender and sent a lofted cross to an unmarked Patrizia Panico, who knocked the ball wide of the net.
The second half kicked off with the Independence ahead 3-0, and Sky Blue came out strong in the opening minutes. Val Henderson came up with a save in the 48th minute on a low shot by Kacey White, and Heather O’Reilly sent a ball just wide in the 50th minute.
The Independence managed to hold New Jersey scoreless, and in the 51st minute Philly widened the gap to make it 4-0 with another assist from Caroline Seger and another goal from Amy Rodriguez. A through ball from Seger found a streaking Rodriguez, who took a long touch and tapped it past the onrushing keeper with her left foot. With the assist, Seger tied the league record for WPS assists in a game with three, a record that Lori Lindsey set against Washington on April 25th. The goal is Rodriguez’s 9th of the year, putting her on the heels of league scoring leader Marta.
Sky Blue FC turned up the heat for the remainder of the half, finally getting on the board in the 81st minute when Brittany Taylor carried the ball thirty-five yards and slotted a shot past Val Henderson. Taylor nearly struck again just seconds later, but Val Henderson came up with a kick save to protect the three goal lead.
The Independence captured a 4-1 win, mirroring the last result between the two teams back in June. Philly plays again in just four days, facing Chicago at home for the first time on Wednesday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00pm ET at John A. Farrell Stadium.
QUOTES
Philadelphia Independence
Head Coach Paul Riley
On the win tonight...
I think the game tonight was very similar to our match against Boston, but we put our chances away this time. Before the game we really challenged players like Magnusdottir and Seger to step up to the plate, and they did. They were big contributors tonight. We looked at our past lineups and we realized that every time we have Jen Buczkowski at holding center midfield, we win. Her sitting in that spot allows Lohman and Seger to get forward, and we need them involved offensively.
I think we took our foot off the accelerator in the second half, but it’s natural when a team goes up by three or four goals.
On Philly’s standing...
These were an important three points for us because it puts us six ahead of New Jersey. We absolutely have to finish Chicago Wednesday night and need to focus on earning those points so that we can breathe a little easier.
Caroline Seger
On her three assists tonight..
It feels awesome. We’ve played twelve games and I finally feel like I am getting a hold on this league and playing well. I am so happy right now, it feels great to play soccer when it is easy. And we got three points!!
Amy Rodriguez
On tonight’s game...
Our confidence as a team just shoots through the roof when we have games like this, and it really is just so much fun playing like that. Plus, we’re able to walk away with three points.
On Philly’s standing...
I think Bay Area has clearly pulled away from the pack, and there are four or five of us really fighting for those final three playoff spots. I have my eye on a WPS Championship this year.
Sky Blue FC
Rick Stainton
On what Sky Blue FC needs to do against Philly for a different result...
They come at us with numbers every time, and we need to handle that pressure better. We knew that coming in, and we even practiced it, we just didn’t execute tonight.
On the goalkeeping situation...
We have Jenni Branam coming back, she’s nearly healthy and should be back fully on the first. We also have Shannon Meyers as a great backup, but we are in search of another to have some depth in the position.