August 11, 2010 (Bridgeview, Ill.)-- In a highly physical match at Toyota Park tonight, the Independence captured a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Red Stars. Goals from Philadelphia’s Amy Rodriguez and Lianne Sanderson helped the Independence to earn a win on the road and bring home three crucial points in the race for the WPS playoffs.
Throughout the first half, Chicago and Philadelphia looked evenly matched both offensively and defensively, with the majority of the play taking place in the middle third of the pitch. Neither team had any real chances in the first ten minutes of the match, but in the eleventh minute Independence keeper Karina LeBlanc came up with her first save of the evening on a shot by Megan Rapinoe.
Rapinoe proved to be one of the most dangerous Chicago players in the first half, pushing high on defender Holmfridur Magnusdottir and looking to contain the dangerous attacking back. Magnusdottir, who scored both goals for Philadelphia against Boston on Sunday, was hungry for another goal tonight and created several chances for herself in the first half.
In the 36th minute, Magnusdottir shows her offensive prowess and physical strength by getting forward and ripping a shot that Loyden dived to save. In the 44th, Magnusdottir beat two defenders and cut inside to take a shot, but her effort was blocked and deflected wide for a corner kick.
The best opportunity of the half for Chicago came in the 22nd minute when a lofted cross found the head of Marian Dalmy, who was unmarked at the Independence back post. Her diving effort sailed over the bar, and the half ended scoreless for both sides.
Eight minutes into the second half, the Independence took the lead with a goal from Amy Rodriguez. Tina DiMartino dropped a pass back to defender Sara Larsson who sent a lofted ball into Rodriguez. Rodriguez dribbled past onrushing keeper Jillian Loyden and netted her twelfth goal of the season to make it 1-0. Rodriguez, who is Philadelphia’s leading goalscorer this season, has been held scoreless in the last two matches and broke the streak with tonight’s 53rd minute goal.
The Independence didn’t hold their lead for long, with Chicago’s Ella Masar equalizing for her team just nine minutes after Philadelphia’s goal. Red Stars rookie Casey Noguiera beat her defender on the right side and sent a bending cross into the Independence box, finding the head of Ella Masar in front of the goal. Masar headed home her sixth goal of the season to make it 1-1 in the 62nd minute.
Ten minutes later, Casey Nogueira nearly put Chicago in the lead when she nailed a free kick from 25 yards out that required an athletic diving save from LeBlanc to tip over the bar. The ensuing corner kick skirted through Philadelphia’s defense, but again LeBlanc protected her net and smothered the skipping ball on the six yard line.
Lianne Sanderson entered the match for Philadelphia in the 63rd minute to provide an offensive spark for the Independence, and just fifteen minutes later she did just that by burying a free kick to make it 2-1. After a near goal by Amy Rodriguez, Red Stars defender Natalie Spilger was awarded a yellow card, earning Philadelphia a free kick twenty yards outside the goal. Lianne Sanderson stepped up to take the kick and slotted a low ball through the wall and into the far netting to put the Independence ahead by one.
The Independence defense, led by LeBlanc in net and Sara Larsson, who returned tonight after missing several games due to a groin injury, managed to protect the 2-1 lead until the final whistle. With tonight’s win, the Independence maintains its second place standing and pulls five ahead of third place Boston.
"As we near the end of the season, every game is crucial in the race for the playoffs" said Independence General Manager, Louise Waxler. "Getting three points on the road against a tough Chicago team was huge for Philadelphia, and we’ve put ourselves in a good position heading into the weekend. We’re very happy with tonight's result."
The Independence will play their fourth game in two weeks this coming Sunday at home against the Atlanta Beat. Kickoff is scheduled for 6pm at John A. Farrell Stadium and tickets are available at