The long anticipated battle for first place on the island. New York had led the league for much of the season. The Power offense was tops in the league and their defense was ranked third. The Beat had the leagues stingiest defense and after a slow start, their offense had begun cranking up. Atlanta was still missing a couple of players (neither Amy Walsh nor Sun Wen - ankles - made the trip), but this is a better state of affairs for the Beat. This should have been a nailbiter. It turned into a rout.
While the Power dominated for about a ten-minute stretch of the first half, on balance, tie first half was fairly even. In the 6th minute, the dangerous Tiffany Milbrett was streaking down the left, but Beat defender Dayna Smith made a well-timed tackle to strip Milbritt. Two minutes later, Kylie Bivens chipped the ball into Kelly Cagle, who headed the ball high and wide. The next minute, Milbritt had the ball in the box, but Lisa Krzykowski was able to clear the ball out of the box. If this gives you the idea that the early moments were back and forth, it would be accurate, with both teams making effective runs into the box.
In the 11th minute, Canadian international Charmaine Hooper powered by the Power's Kristy Whelchel at the corner of the box. She crossed the ball, but no one was there. The following minute, Japanese international Sawa Homare took the ball from the mid through space to about 30 yards from goal. She passed the ball to Cagle in space to the right. Cagle then centered the ball, but it was behind the runners with no trailer. Back on the other side of the field, the following minute, Power midfielder Jennifer Lalor took a chip in from Sara Whalen. Beat defender (and Atlanta native) Nancy Augustyniak tried to head it out, but the ball came right to Lolar, who volleyed the ball to Beat keeper Brianna Scurry. Scurry was prepared and made the save look easy.
In the 16th minute, Sara Whalen collected a loose ball from about 25 yards from goal, and got it into Norwegian international Ann Kristin Aarones. Aarones shot rolled just out of Scurry's reach, but fortunately, it bounced off the outside of the goalpost and harmlessly over the goal line. Four minutes later, Power defender Christie Pearce crossed the ball from the corner to Lalor who made a strong shot on Scurry. Scurry looked like Patrick Roy with her kick save. Milbritt got to the ball from about 15 yards from goal, but shot the ball high over the goal.
On the other end, Hooper crossed the ball into Cagle in the 23rd minute. Cagle crossed the ball back to a running Hooper just outside the six. Hooper beat defender Nel Fettig to the ball, but her header went over the goal. Two minutes later, Cagle, once again on the right side, got the ball to Cindy Parlow in the corner of the box. She turned, pushed the ball over to Nikki Serlenga at the top of the arc who promptly kicked the ball up for a field goal! Sorry, wrong sport. No three points for you Nikki.
Back on the other end, Aarones made a pass into the arc. Augustyniak misplayed the ball. Milbrett was able to get to the ball about 10 yards out. She tried to lift the ball over Scurry and into the goal, but it went way over the crossbar and flew off harmlessly. Two minutes later, Parlow played the ball into the box for Cagle. Unfortunately, Chinese international goalkeeper Gao Hong came off her line and gobbled up the ball before Cagle got to it (would someone please tell the folks at Fox Sports that Gao is her last name and not Hong?).
In the 35th minute, Parlow had the ball in the corner of the box along the goal line when she was hip checked off the ball by Norwegian international Gro Espeseth. It was clearly a foul (and therefore should have been a penalty), but nothing was called, although the Beat did get a corner kick off the play. On the ensuing corner, Bivens got the ball to Krzykowski about 20 yards out after glancing off a Power head. Unfortunately, nothing came of the play. The Beat attack continued. In the 37th minute, Cagle, on the left side, heeled the ball back to Krzykowski who crossed the ball to Hooper who headed the ball just over the crossbar.
However, just two minutes later, the ever-dangerous Milbrett was attacking down the middle, bringing the ball before looking for Whalen making a run down the right. Fortunately, it was too far in front of Whalen and Scurry came out and collected the ball before Whalen could get to it. In the 45th minute, Milbrett took a shot frm 20 yards out, but Scurry made the save with no difficulty.
Where is the rout I promised? 0-0 draw at halftime. Seems like another ho-hum match like the season opener between the two teams in April. The second half, however, was nothing like the first.
In the 51st minute, Serlenga took a free kick from about 23 yards out on the left side. She kicked it in short to the box right to Hooper who headed the ball past Gao to give the Beat a 1-0 lead. Gao, who dove after the ball, simply had no chance to make the save. It was a hard, low header.
The Power weren't ready to give in yet. Two minutes after the Beat goal, Whalen megged Augustyniak to Lalor who ripped a shot at Scurry. Scurry was forced to make her second kick save of the night (I am sure she is taking lessons from Roy). Back on the other end, Hooper crossed the ball to Sawa who tried to flick the ball on. Aarones took the ball and handled the ball inside the six. She had her back to Krzykowski, who was harassing Aarones, but she was able to get the ball out and clear the ball from danger.
Burt initiated the next rush by the Beat. In the 68th minute, she got the ball to Hooper on the right. Hooper dribbled the ball across the box, megged Whalen who looked like she jumped out of Hooper's way. Hooper just ripped the ball into the top of the net past a helpless Gao. I think I saw fear in Whalens' eyes as Hooper was bearing down on her. 2-0 Beat!
The Beat attack continued. The next minute, Burt ran in on a ball coming into Gao. Unfortunately, Gao won the foot race and kicked the ball out of danger. The wierdest event of the match occurred in the 72nd minute. Espeseth dragged Hooper to the ground and sat on her as if she was a seat cushion. Espeseth committed the foul and sat on Hooper, but the ref had the temerity to not only call the foul on Hooper, but to issue her a yellow card! Absolutely insane! Another example of how the officiating has been substandard in this league. While I am on the subject of the officiating, through the match, it seemed that she wasn't enforcing the 10-yard buffer on free kicks.
In the 77th minute, Burt was determined to get on the scoreboard. She took the ball in the corner and dribbled into the 18. She crossed to Hooper, who was looking for a hat trick, but it was headed out by a Power defender. Bivens collected from 23 yards out. She then fired high and wide. Just a few seconds later, Espeseth again fouled Hooper and sat on her again (she must have been really comfortable). This time, the ref had her eyes open and called the foul on Espeseth just outside of the box. On the ensuing free kick, Serlenga hammered the ball just wide of Gao.
The Beat had scored goals in the final 20 minutes in each of the previous five matches. Just as I was wondering if they could again, the Beat responded. Sawa advanced through the mid to the arc. She got the ball to Bivens on the right side who kicked a beautiful bender to a waiting Burt who executed a diving header into the goal past Gao. 3-0 Beat!
Think the Beat were content with a 3-0 advantage? Think again! This was to be a message victory, and the Beat were looking to be the first to score four goals in a match this season. Seven minutes after the goal, Sawa got the ball into the box, crossed to Parlow whose shot was deflected. Burt headed the ball was deflected by Whalen. The ball came to Parlow, but the ball was cleared by the Power defense.
The match ended with an impressive 3-0 victory at the Power. The Beat have built up a four point lead over the Power. The Beat are looking a safer and safer bet to host one of the two semi-final matches. The second half was the best display of soccer I have seen by any of the teams in the WUSA to date. Atlanta's defense has been solid most of the season. Now, the offense is beginning to light it up, now having scored six goals in the last two matches. Atlanta's best player, Sun Wen, is still recovering from injury. Imagine what will happen when she is ready to play again. Things are looking good for the Beat. The next match is against a hot Bay Area Cyber Rays team (currently in third, but may be in second by the time the match is played). See y'all at Bobby Dodd as the Beat prepare to put down the Boneless Fishes of the Bay Area.
GO BEAT!!