Freedom KO'd By Sky Blue

So playoffs at the Plex. Supposed to be a fortress, right? How would the team do without Bompastor? Well, on a hot hot hot and muggy day in Boyds, the Freedom fell to Sky Blue FC 2-1, thanks to a Francielle goal in the 85th minute. So that means Sky Blue face St. Louis Athletica this Wednesday, and the season is over for the Freedom.

So here is a brief recap of the game, which was shown on Comcast Sports Net and tape delayed on Fox Soccer Channel. Sky Blue, despite having Natasha Kai on the bench, started the stronger of the two teams with something to prove. McLeod made a couple of good saves to keep the first half scoreless. The Freedom seemed a little sloppy and the first touches and passes were off. However, they managed to pick it up during the second half, when Alex Singer was inserted for Jill Gilbeau. The game changed when Natasha Kai came on about 10 minutes into the second half. Almost immediately, she scored a goal that really deflated the crowd. Kacey White served in a ball, and Cat Whitehill let it bounce. Natasha Kai nipped in behind and put the ball into the far corner of the net past an onrushing McLeod. The Freedom pushed for the equalizer, but most of the passes were sloppy. Lisa De Vanna did a lot of hard running, and Ali Krieger missed a sitter. Finally, in the 78th minute, Branam came out for a long ball and collided with Wambach and Lisa De Vanna was able to collect the ball and score to tie the game. However, Francielle would score as the defenders left her too much space to shoot from distance. McLeod perhaps should have done better, as she got her fingers to the ball but not enough to tip it around. With lots of stoppage time, the Freedom could not find an equalizer.

So let's see what went wrong...

1. The absence of Bompastor clearly had an affect. Maybe LA were smart in not playing Abily, but we couldn't afford to not play Bomp. However, I don't know if we know how to play without her and what an impact she actually had. The possession in the midfield was lacking, and Sawa and Lindsey were overrun, with Lori being more sloppy than usual.

2. Sky Blue played with a lot of width. The Freedom, especially in the second half, seemed so condensed in the middle of the park.

3. It was hot. An excuse, I guess, but our game became really sloppy and slow. It was hard for the players to get going.

4. There isn't enough of an attacking threat from the bench. Putting on Alex Singer didn't do much for us going forward, and Allie Long did not get involved. Maybe if the Freedom had gotten her more involved, it could have been different. Sarah Huffman, in her first and last game of the season, didn't have enough time to make an impact. We had no impact from the bench, so when our players got tired, we didn't have anyone to go to. Sky Blue had Kai and Francielle, who both scored, as well as Kelly Parker.

5. Cat Whitehill made a mistake. She is human, yes, but I didn't expect it from someone of her calibre. As much as I know, you aren't supposed to let the ball drop, otherwise someone could nick in when your back is turned waiting for the ball, which is what happened. I recall this happening to Nemanja Vidic against Liverpool last year and Torres burned him.

6. Speaking of mistakes, the Freedom didn't learn from last week. They gave Rosana too much space last time, and this time, they let Francielle have time on the ball to prepare and shoot and no one closed her down.

7. Sky Blue came out with something to prove. Coming from a winning position, it must have been hard for the Freedom to alter their game from last week, but Sky Blue came in, had changed their game plan and prepared for something new. Revenge is a powerful motivator and this was just their day. The Freedom didn't really look in it.

Despite this, I would like to say a big thank you to the Freedom organization. It has been really an awesome season and I have had such a good time covering the games. Honestly, at the beginning of the season, I didn't think the WPS would be as much of a success as it is, nor did I think I would become so attached. But I am, it really drew me in. The players are fantastic and I hope the squad can stay together. They are all so awesome, the staff is great, the atmosphere is great. I would also like to thank Gil, Alondra and everyone who set me up here at OleOle.com. Thanks so much for the opportunity! I have loved it!

Now, we just get to watch the rest of the postseason unfold!

Great season, Freedom! And thanks!

-Robyn

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

PS-This is my last RECAP, but I will have another post up later summing up the season, highs and lows, favorite moments, changes you want to see, predicitions, players you want, etc. Basically, an opinion post, so no worries, I'm not done yet. Thanks for all the feedback this whole season!

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Comment by Rhonda Krafchin on August 18, 2009 at 2:27pm: It was a really fun season and I've been impressed with many of the players on the field. Off the field, they are all terrific. For next season, I'm hoping we pick up another solid attacking defensive player who's got the stamina to play all day and the speed to keep up with the world-class players in the league. Whitehill and Sauerbraun are great, and I think Singer is going to keep getting better. She is one of the fastest defensive players we have, great one on one, and has the energy to move upfield. But she's still a young player who on occasion is outplayed. One more top-notch player and Singer will elevate her game to give us a great back line. In the mid-field, we need a compliment to Bompastor - someone else who knows how to hold onto the ball and control the game. I think Rebecca Moros has the potential to be that player. A little more confidence and we'll see the Freedom maintaining possession and not passing backwards so much. Up front... De Vanna and Wambach are playing beautifully together. Thanks to all the coaches, players, and fellow fans for a great season. Go Freedom!

Comment by Charlotte on August 18, 2009 at 8:02am: If all of our current international players are willing to come back I don't want to lose any of them, which means we only have one international spot available. I would take Necib over Williams, but it will be hard unless her contract ends this year. Lyon offered all of their players pro contracts after they lost Abily and Sonia last year.

Comment by Supermokh on August 17, 2009 at 9:49pm: Yes, Necib is french woman Zidane, yes we have the rights on Necib, that why I really hope, she's one of our ten protected players, having necib and Sonia will make our mid-field & defend solid.
Coach Gabara, told me during fans appreciation (meet the team), when I asked coach, about getting Necib over here next season, he say, he will try to talk with french club Lyons GM, to let Necib play for Freedom, even Sonia says, she really want to get necib to play for Freedom.

Comment by StarCityFan on August 17, 2009 at 9:27pm: We have the rights to Necib but have to make her one of our ten protected players in the expansion draft if we want to be sure to keep the rights.

Comment by Robyn Giggs on August 17, 2009 at 8:06pm: wasnt necib allocated to us? they call her the french zidane (at least wikipedia says so lol) and i know fara white quite well from arsenal ladies. and yeah i do agree with you mona, maybe some talk would have helped. i know the heat isnt an excuse but i think the play in general was slower because of it. luckily i was in the shade!

Comment by Espihir on August 17, 2009 at 7:27pm: I agree with Mona. Whitehill had 3 Freedom players in CLOSE proximity of her and should have warned or stepped in to help.

The heat is not an excuse because there are two teams and both had to deal with the same conditions.

Comment by Mona<33 on August 17, 2009 at 7:21pm: another failure--communication? probably the reason why cat let it bounce?

Comment by Supermokh on August 17, 2009 at 7:19pm: Hopefully, the whole Washington Freedom's coaching staffs, start to prepare for the next season.
I think Coach Jim Gabara, is on his way to the European Champion Tournament in Finland.
Coach, please look for some players for fill the left-back, to support Cat & Becky.
I'm hoping for Louisa Necib (France - Lyons) & Fara Williams (England - Everton) to play for Washington Freedom next season.
Thank you, to the whole Washington Freedom Oranizations, Coaching Staffs and most of all the Washington Freedom players (all 23 of them) a very BIG thank you!
To Washington Freedom fans, I thought, we are doing great, but I really hope, we will be more vocal in supporting our Washington Freedom Ladies next season.
Till next season.
LET'S GO FREEDOM!!! - FREEDOM ROCK N RULE!!!