Final Home Game, Against Sky Blue

Well here it is. The final game of the regular season is at home, at the Maryland SoccerPlex, against Sky Blue FC. This is a potential winner takes all game. If the Freedom win or tie, they are in the postseason. With loss, they would be relying on the LA Sol to take care of the Boston Breakers. The WPS website has been kind enough to verify the post season picture and you can take a look at it here: http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/news/general/090726-playoffs.aspx

Basically, the rundown is, there are 9 different possibilites, with the Freedom making the postseason in all but two (7 out of 9). So their destiny really is in their own hands. A home game should help to ease the nerves and hopefully close out the regular season with a win to guarantee playoffs. It is better to rely on self than on others.

Sky Blue, however, are a dangerous team. Now coached by interim player/manager Christie Rampone, they have a dangerous attack fronted by Natasha Kai, who has been coming on strong after a rough start to the season and despite shoulder injuries. Kacey White and Heather O'Reilly are also strong players, but I believe the lynchpin is the Brazilian Rosana. Not as high profile as Marta or Cristiane, but Rosana has been at the heart of almost everything good for Sky Blue. She has a fantastic touch, she scores goals and she gets assists. So in my opinion, she is the one we need to watch out for.

Tonight, the Freedom will look to slow down Kai and company. The back four need to be alert, and the midfield, with the return of the starters certainly, should help to track the movement of Kai and Rosana. Homare Sawa will be key tonight as she looks to continue her impressive run. Lisa De Vanna has terrorised Sky Blue and will hopefully continue to do so with her blistering pace.

In other news, the W League team lost to Pali Blues last night 2-1. Some poor defending, and most of the great college players had returned to school, so it was a bit of a bummer, but it was nice to see them get to the final and hopefully this bodes well for the Freedom organization.

Also, on Twitter, Mark Washo posted a picture of Sonia Bompastor and Jim Gabarra negotiating terms in his office and he stated that Sonia will return for 2010. I don't know if this was ever in doubt, but boy am I excited to hear this. Sonia was named an all star starter but will miss the game as she will be appearing at the Euros. Abby Wambach and Cat Whitehill were named to the squad, but surprisingly, no Lisa De Vanna. You can see the full squad on the WPS website.

So, I will see you all tonight! Come and say hi to me; I will wear my RYAN GIGGS jersey!

GO FREEDOM!

-Robyn

http://www.oleole.com/blogs/washingtonfreedom