For the second time in as many weeks, the Beat are engaged in a first v. second struggle with the Cyber Rays having passed the Power for second place last week. The weather was hot and muggy. I was hoping for a rain shower before the match to clean the air, and while I saw some in Barrow County on the way to the match, there wasn't any significant rain to clear the air in the heart of Fulton County.
Unfortunately, Sun Wen is still not 100% from her ankle injury, or she would certainly have started the match. Amy Walsh also didn't start as well, though the news on her has also been good. The fact that she came on in the second half shows that is indeed the case. Marci Miller is out for the season, but she is in rehab now, which is good. It will be nice to have her back next season.
Bay Area scored first when Cristina Bell struck a beautiful ball right into the upper right corner of the goal past Scurry. It was the second goal in as many matches for Bell. It was set up when Jacqui Little headed the ball down to Bell at the top of the penalty area. It was nicely played goal that gave the Rays a 1-0 lead.
Atlanta put on considerable pressure following the goal. LaKeysia Beene has been one of the surprises of this league. She has been playing well all season, and Atlanta couldn't get one by her in the first half. She did, however, get some help from the officials. Beat forward Sawa Homare was brutalized in the penalty area late in the first half. Obvious foul, and therefore penalty. However, Rachel "need contacts for Christmas" Woo didn't make the call. 1-0 halftime lead for the C-Rays.
Atlanta came out on a mission in the second half. Nancy Augustyniak got a card early in the second half for breathing on Brandi Chastain. Seriously, Nancy barely touched her (it happened right in front of me), but Brandi Chastain (who obviously took lessons from the Mia Hamm School of Diving) won an Oscar nomination for her dive, leading Woo (who wouldn't call a foul when Sawa got brutalized) gave Augustyniak a card for breathing on Chastain. Terrible and disgraceful.
The Beat got the equalizer in the 53rd minute. Cindy Parlow got the ball to Charmaine Hooper above the top of the penalty area. Hooper got the ball to Kelly Cagle (who had just come in for Emily Burt). Cagle calmly lifted the ball over Beene's head and into the left corner of the Cyber Ray goal. 1-1 tie.
A couple of minutes later, Augustyniak and Chastain collided while going for a 50-50 ball. Chastain was knocked out of the match (poetic justice I would argue).
It looked like the second half magic for the Beat would continue on this hot and muggy night in Hotlanta, but Rachel Woo sucked out the magic like the "Wicked Witch of the West" and sent it out of Bobby Dodd. Late in the second half, Sawa once again was brutalized in the penalty area (she much have felt like she was in New York's Central Park last night with the muggings she got), but Woo didn't make the call. Earlier in the half, a hand-ball went uncalled. THREE, count 'em, THREE uncalled penalties against the C-Rays.
Late in the match, the C-Rays had a beautiful opportunity to win the match. After a C-Rays shot, Brazilian International Katia found the ball at her feet on the six yard line in the middle of an empty goal and was unable to finish. She shanked it wide. Considering the uncalled penalities by Woo, the lackluster play by the Beat, the best player in the league still out, and Katia's late opportunity, the Beat were fortunate to come out with a draw. Fortunately, the Beat maintain a three point lead in the standings. With Philadelphia not taking advantage of an opportunity to move into third place, the way seems clear for Atlanta and Bay Area to claim the top two playoff sports and to host first round matches. Both would deserve it as they are playing the best amongst the eight teams of the WUSA. Perhaps this was a preview of what is to come on August 25th up in Foxboro, MA.
WAR BEAT!