After an extremely disappointing showing by DC United, the Freedom took on the St. Louis Athletica in a doubleheader at RFK Stadium in Washington DC. RFK was the site of three Washington Freedom/DC United doubleheaders last year, but the format was reversed this year, with the Freedom playing at 6 after United’s kickoff at 4. However, with a DC United 0-2 loss to New York and a very hot day, the dispirited crowd largely cleared out before the Freedom began play. Despite the drop in attendance, a good amount of people stayed to watch, but were largely dispersed around the stadium, preventing a solid block of fans from forming. A small group of DC United’s Barra Brava supporters club remained, and were joined by the Washington Bravehearts to cheer on the Washington Freedom!
Those who remained were treated to the Freedom’s best game of the season. Showing the versatility and depth of the squad, everyone seemed to make a contribution to the win. Despite Hope Solo in goal for Athletica, the Freedom set up several great runs, most of which added a goal. Abby Wambach set up a shot from a run by Sarah Huffman, which Sonia Bompastor kicked in in the 18th minute. From this start, the Freedom continued to maintain the field until just before half time. Flagging just a bit, they let the Athletica tie the game in the 45th minute.
Immediately in the start of the second half the Freedom came roaring back. A superb corner kick by Sonia Bompastor set up an amazing kick by Homare Sawa that was angled across the goal. The 2-1 lead was pushed to 3-1 when Lene Mykjåland broke away to score in the 74th minute.
The majority of shots from the Athletica were off-target or not very threatening until towards the end of the match, when Erin McLeod had some dangerous fights for the ball in the midst of a lot of players, twice deflecting the ball by punching it away then sliding in to try to grab it, until it was chipped over her head as she lay on the ground, being saved by Nikki Marshall practically on the line.
A few formation changes were noticed right away. Although Sonia Bompastor was reported to enjoy playing left back most, her shift into the midfield brought an immediate vitality to the offense and certainly facilitated the ball moving through the midfield well. Becky Sauerbrunn was back into defense, a nice strengthening of the back line. Sarah Huffman in defense mid as well centered everyone’s efforts up nicely. Lene Mykjåland came in as a sub for Lisa De Vanna in the 47th, Jill Gilbeau for for Allie Long in the 85th, and Alex Singer, in her first appearance of this season, for Rebecca Moros in the 77th.
Interestingly, this win also puts the Freedom at 2-2-0 for the year, tied for 3rd with Sky Blue FC, right around where they were last year. A lot of the players seemed to feel like the lineup finally clicked this game, and the results backed that up. Hopefully that will continue through the rest of the season.
Kat Galsim of Bleacher Report has a highlight video from the match. You can see the Bravehearts joining the remnants of the Barra Brava in the video at 1:18 and 7:00!
http://www.womensprosoccer.com/dc/pages/may2010/bleacherreportvids.aspx
