Tukwila, Wash. (Tuesday, June 24, 2008) – The first place Pail Blues (8-0-0) played to a heart-pounding finish tonight against the Western Conference’s 5th place Seattle Sounders (1-2-3) at the Starfire Sports Complex before a raucous crowd of onlookers.
As the Sounder Commuter Rail Lines echoed in the background, the Pali Blues took the field confidently after a 3-0 road win over the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Sounders looked to deflate the Blues excitement by playing a compact style of soccer, placing as many numbers behind the Blues attack as possible. The Sounders tactics led to a physical and heated contest under the setting Seattle sun.
Coach Charlie Naimo had this to say about the game, "Seattle was fantastic. They were very organized. It was clear that their staff had them all on the same page. As the game wore on, our respect for them grew. Once again, to the credit of our kids, we stayed the course and weathered the occasional storm to a result. I think Seattle will be a major contender come playoff time, and I am pleased that we came out of this trip with the full six points to remain perfect on the year and remain on course toward the goal of being regular season champions.”
In accordance with the physicality of the game, Pali Blues player Jill Oakes (19) was cautioned with a yellow card just under eight minutes into the match. Seattle’s Kelli Smith (23) referred to by cheering fans as “Smitty” was also cautioned in the 61st minute after tangling up with India Trotter. This type of “no-fear” attitude was evident throughout the evening’s play with many small-group battles occurring over the course of the game.
Controversy is always abundant in heated contests, and this match was no exception. Eleven minutes in, the Pali Blues were awarded a corner kick after attacking deep into the Sounders box. Kara Kabellis (2) struck a low curling ball from the right side into Amy LePeilbet (3) who deflected the ball just outside of Sounders keeper Cori Alexander (1), a U.S. U-23 goalkeeper. Instead of LePeilbet (3) finding her second goal of the season, goalkeeper Alexander (1) fell backwards into the goal with the ball simultaneously hitting her chest and resting there as she fell over the goal line. The situation was confusing for both fans and players as the Sounders stopped play and Alexander (1) hurriedly pushed the ball off her chest. Alas, there was no whistle blown to signal the goal and the impatience of the Blues would only grow from there.
The Sounders did a good job of stalling the potent Blues offense led by starting forwards Danesha Adams (9) and newly acquired talent, India Trotter (6). Two minutes later in the box again, Trotter would stick a foot out to block an attempted clearance by defender Shannon Lovejoy (15). Trotter continued play, bowling over Lovejoy (15) while sidestepping defender Kate Deines (19) to have a nearside look at goal. However, Alexander (1) proved to be a stalwart force early in the game and did well to push the ball wide of the net.
Central midfielders Collette McCallum (14) and Brittany Klein (5) had their hands-and feet-full while attempting to generate good looks for the Blues. It was as though every time the duo creatively entered the attacking third they were in numerical inferiority and under constant pressure on the ball by two and sometimes three defenders.
To cause more opportunities through the first half, Coach Charlie Naimo substituted Katy Cross (25) for Leah Tapscott (10) and placed Cross into the forward line for Adams (9) who was positioned as an outside midfielder. This change helped to ignite some offensive fire as Cross (25) entered the game as the leading goal scorer for the Blues.
Soccer being the small world that it is, many Pali Blues players have at one time or another played with or against their Sounders counterparts.
“I knew that they would come out and stack up against us and I think they did well in accomplishing that,” relayed Brittany Klein (5). In fact, the Sounders have only scored three goals in six games but are tied for second in fewest goals allowed. Jill Oakes (19) also added that “they had extremely quick counters and looked to play the long ball often. It was challenging to stay organized and keep them in front of us, but I believe we did well against them in that respect.”
The Pali Blues backs had their hands full but as usual were up to the challenge of the day, proving that they are currently one of the strongest groups assembled in the W-League.
All of this first half action taken into account, the Blues still produced a rather lopsided but typical statistic in the process, out-shooting the Sounders 7-1.
The beginning of the second half saw Rosie Tantillo (16) enter the field of play for the Blues. Tantillo was subbed in for McCallum (14), who just returned from playing with the Australian National team.
Half time tactical changes worked well for the Blues as they continued to pour the pressure on in the second half. There was a ten-minute window of opportunity for the Blues, which unfortunately would show no results on the scoreboard. The Sounders keeper, Alexander (1), has her supporting cast of defenders to thank for two tremendous saves.
20 minutes into the half, Adams (9) was fouled just outside the box and Tantillo (16) stepped up to take the kick. The Blues bench went quiet as the midfielder who has already scored twice this season on two “Beckham-esque” strikes, eyed the ball. Tantillo’s kick caromed off the wall and arched back to her for another try. She floated the ball onto the penalty mark, where Alexander couldn’t come up with it. The ball fell in front of defender Jill Oakes who struck the slow roller with the outside of her right foot. Sounders defender Beth Drollinger (22) backed up into the frame and found herself in the right place at the right time, clearing the “sure thing” from the line to the cheers of Sounders fans.
Just minutes later, the Sounders would again find themselves in trouble as the Blues were awarded a corner kick. Kabellis struck a ball to the back post, where Alexander touched it away to the foot of Tantillo (16) who struck it solidly back towards the goal. Again, Beth Drollinger (22), who was hugging the post, headed the ball out of danger.
To add to the attack, defender Kandace Wilson (8) made a brilliant run down the line, using her pace and strength to beat Dani Bridges (20). As Wilson muscled past Bridges, Drollinger stepped to assist. Wilson pushed the ball to her right outside the reach of Drollinger’s foot and continued her run to the inside of Drollinger, as the defender stood flat footed, head turned to watch Wilson run around her without the ball. Wilson would catch up to the ball that was carrying on towards the end line and crushed a menacing cross into the box.
Just when it seemed things could get no worse, Pali Blues defender Kendall Fletcher (4), had to be rushed to the line to take care of a gushing nose bleed. The Blues would play one down for almost eight minutes as Pali Blues trainer Jeff Johnson tended to Fletcher. Even under the circumstances, captain “Fletch” found the time to look over at her teammates on the bench and give a “thumbs-up” and a smirk as pieces of cloth were being placed up her nose.
With 15 minutes left in the game and the Blues sensing the urgency of the situation, forward Katy Cross (25) took matters into her own hands. After making a run similar to Wilson’s and finding no reward, Cross received the ball again on the right side of the box and this time made no mistake by taking an extra touch around her defender. Cross’s pace was no match for her opposition and she was chopped down in the box and awarded a penalty kick.
It was Adams (9) who stepped calmly to the mark and struck a ball into the left side of the netting past an opposite diving Alexander (1).
The last ten minutes of the game was choppier than an episode of the “Deadliest Catch,” as the Sounders threw everything they had at the Blues.
However, the stingy defense of Amy LePeilbet, Jill Oakes, Kendall Fletcher, Kandace Wilson and vocal leader of the pitch, centerpiece-Val Henderson (1) proved too strong, even under the passionate last ditch efforts of as many as three Sounders forwards.
As the final whistle blew, the Blues heaved a big sigh of relief. Having completed their first five-day road trip with: two big wins, six points, good times, lots of driving and a little bit of history under their belts.
The next Pali Blues match-up will be at home next against the Fort Collins Force at 7:00 PM, for a new brand of “Monday Night Futbol.”
