Both Boston and Philadelphia fought hard in the Super Semifinal, but Philly squeaked out the win in Extra Time on a rather controversial goal.Hello everyone! After 2 rounds of playoffs, we now know who will be facing off in probably the most important of all WPS matches: The Championship Final. This match is going to answer the question everyone has been asking: Who will be the WPS 2010 Champs? In one corner, we have FC Gold Pride, who are the Regular Season Title holders. Can they notch the double? And in the other corner, we have the Philadelphia Independence. Can this team, in its inaugural season, be crowned Champion? It all comes down to this Ladies and Gentlemen. Its FC Gold Pride vs. Philadelphia Independence in and all-or-nothing match for the chance to be crowned WPS 2010 Champions. But first, we should discuss the Super Semifinal. I think the Championship game deserves its own separate post. so, onto the Super Semifinal.
This match really could have gone either way. Although, I'm going to give the edge to Boston. They seemed to have had more attacking chances, but they just couldn't put them away. Philly definitely had their fair share, but Boston seemed a little stronger. The first blood would be drawn by Lauren Cheney, after she chipped a beautiful shot over Val Henderson in the 22nd minute of play. However, Philly would soon equalize, as Seger's long, low shot to the far post in the 29th minute would beat Naeher and hit the back of the net to make it 1-1. The rest of regulation was played with out anymore goals, and once again, another playoff game was headed for Extra Time. It was still the same intense game, but play became a little less organized due to some of the tired legs. In the 103rd minute, Danesha Adams would head home, or rather hand home, a goal. At first I thought it was a legit header, that came as a result of an excellent cross, and Boston's failure to guard the far post. The cross came in from the right and arced towards the left, and met Danesha Adams' head at the far post, or so I thought. But on replay, Adams hits the ball with her left forearm. Although she went to head the ball, she threw her hands up, and the ball hit her hand, rather than her head. The Boston defense was infuriated; many players immediately turned to the ref, protesting and shouting for handball. But, the goal had been counted and could not be called back. Boston would try frantically, and almost equalized later in the 2nd period of Extra Time, when Kasey Moore's shot would slam off the crossbar. As it bounced back to the ground, Alex Scott was ready for the rebound. She attempted to hit the tricky bounce, but her timing was off, and she missed the shot, which was about 7 yards out, by mere inches. That was Boston's last good chance of the night. For the remainder of Extra Time, Boston attacked in a desperate, disorganized frenzy, sending long ball after long ball into the attack. None would be successful, and Philly would go on to win the game. Really, it was a terrible way for anyone to lose, and in all honesty, to win as well. Both teams played so hard and so well, that the handball tarnished Philly's win. It would have been much better had one of the team's scored a legit goal to win. And I'm not trying to take credit away from anybody either. Philly played excellently, and deserved to win on a better goal. And Boston played to hard to lose on a foul that wasn't called. That goal was an insult to the game, and the efforts of both the teams. But, these things happen, and until FIFA puts some instant replay into all branches of soccer, which they should, then this kind of unfortunate stuff will just continue to happen. Let's just hope this crap doesn't happen in the Women's World Cup in 2011...
Well, that's it everyone! WPS comes to a full close for 2010 tomorrow when this year's Champions are crowned. Its been a 5 month thrill ride full of memorable games, moments, goals, saves, and plays, and it all culminates with this Championship Game! Be sure to catch it on MSG+ (channel 72 for those of you with iO), starting at 2pm ET. I know I always say this, but you would have to be absolutely crazy to miss this game.
See you again in the next post, which I hope will be one that is a prediction/analysis regarding the Championship match. If, however, I miss writing that post for some reason, I hope you all enjoy the final game of the WPS 2010 year.
Good luck to both teams in the final. Both have fought hard to get to where they are now. Here's to an entertaining, intense, clean, hard-fought match to end the 2010 season with a bang. May the best team win, fair and square.
Until then,
Denise
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