Chicago 1-nil over the Pride

Chicago Red Stars (2-4-1) vs. FC Gold Pride (5-2-0)
Saturday, May 29, 2010 — TOYOTA PARK
FINAL

SCORING SUMMARY:
Team 1 2 F
CHI: 0 1 1
BAY: 0 0 0

CHI: Kosovare Asllani 1 (Marian Dalmy) 56'

CHICAGO RED STARS — Jillian Loyden, Kate Markgraf, Marian Dalmy, Whitney Engen, Natalie Spilger, Formiga, Karen Carney, Katie Chapman, Megan Rapinoe (Casey Nogueira, 58'), Cristiane (Julianne Sitch, 91+), Kosovare Asllani (Ella Masar, 68')

Substitutes Not Used: Ifeoma Dieke, Brittany Klein, Jessica McDonald, Meghan Burke

FC GOLD PRIDE — Nicole Barnhart, Ali Riley, Rachel Buehler, Candace Chapman, Kelley O'Hara, Marta, Christine Sinclair, Kristen Graczyk (Kiki Bosio, 77'), Becky Edwards, Tiffeny Milbrett (Kandace Wilson, 61'), Carrie Dew (Solveig Gulbrandsen, 84')

Substitutes Not Used: Brittany Cameron, Kimberly Yokers

TEAM STATS: CHI BAY

Shots 13 14
Shots on Goal 5 2
Fouls 7 1
Offsides 2 1
Corner Kicks 2 2
Saves 2 3

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
BAY: Carrie Dew (Caution) 41'

Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
Referee Assistants: Ian Anderson, Victor Herrera
4th Official: Ian Gut
Attendance: 3845

Getting to Know Marta

St. Louis Disbands

I have just read the news that St. Louis Athletica is disbanding due to "cash flow shortages" and can no longer operate. To see one team close down mid-season is very disappointing. My thoughts on what this means to the WPS? The WPS does not have alot of teams in the first place so to have another one disband (it was Los Angeles last year) is a huge blow. The business plan for the WPS needs to know that it will take a commitment that looks at a long term goal (not just season to seaso n) to help sustain professional football here in the U.S.

http://www.womensprosoccer.com/stlouis

Men's vs Women's Game

Though I have only been a real football fan since 2006, my time has been focused on the men's game. How does the women's game compare? The biggest difference is the physicality and the speed. But what I like about the women's game is that there is less ego - football is more of a team sport than with the men. Don't get me wrong - the beautiful game is a true team sport (men or women), but there is a little more "I am the star" in the men's game. I look at Cristiano Ronaldo as someone who believes he is bigger than the team or maybe even the game itself. I really think the women personify "team play". It is very similar to the differences between men and women's basketball. With the men you faster and more physical play + it is often happening "above the rim" whereas the women depend on team play more (which is really how it should be played).

I enjoy watching the women's game because of the team play that is exhibited. I'd love to hear how some of you see the difference, etc.

let's Go Gold Pride!

All Star Voting

Vote for Marta and all of your FC Gold Pride favorites! Voting is open until June 4th

http://www.womensprosoccer.com/AllStars.aspx

The Real Question: Does Pro Soccer Have a Future in America?

Prior to the initiation of the new WPS league, a couple of NPR interviews focused on the question, “Does Women’s Pro Soccer Have a Future?” I think the real question should be, “Does any kind of pro soccer have a future in America?” Unfortunately, the fate of women’s pro football in America will most likely depend on the lead of men’s pro football in the states (Major League Soccer). As a person growing up as what I would call your average American sports fan, I think I have a perspective on football that may be similar to the majority of sports fans in the U.S. I grew up playing and watching baseball (Oakland Athletics), football (Oakland Raiders, and basketball (Golden State Warriors). I did see a couple of pro hockey games (Oakland Seals). Soccer? (football) – never played or watch at match (live or on tv).

How did I become a San Jose Earthquakes fan in 2006? It was simply a personal invitation to attend a Quakes game (prior to the team’s move to Houston). The first thing I discovered was the athleticism of the players on the pitch. You really have to watch a game in-person to really appreciate the beauty of the game. Next was the in-stadium fan environment. Simply amazing. Probably the one professional sport that comes close to the atmosphere found at college campuses across the country. Finally, I gradually learned positions, strategies, and the rules of the game. Once I knew what each team was trying to do – I was hooked. Then an amazing thing happens – the whole world of football opens up (national teams, club teams). It is amazing how much excitement and energy goes into the game abroad. Here in America, the majority of sports fans have not embraced proper football. Why? I think that we are so used to having the sports leagues with the best players in the world (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL). I think we just have a hard time supporting a sport where all of the star power comes from and plays on other continents. From books that I have read (e.g., Soccer in a Football World), proper football did have a good start in America in the late 1800’s/early 1900’s – primarily due to the immigrant populations coming to the east coast of the U.S. But, “we” wanted a sport to call our own. This led to the birth of American football (aka run-catch-throw-ball). Once American football and professional baseball took hold in America, proper football was “squeezed out”. We have been swimming up hill ever since to establish professional football in America.

How will this ever change? It will happen in small steps. My conversion to football proves that your average American sports fan CAN discover the beauty of football and become a football fan. Invite a friend to a football game (San Jose Earthquakes, FC Gold Pride, local universities) or watch a game with a friend on television with you (MLS, EPL, Serie A, La Liga). The strength of professional football in America depends on individuals introducing others to the beautiful game, not through mass marketing or the media. Next month is the World Cup – a great opportunity to introduce your friends to “The Beautiful Game”!

Here are links to those NPR interviews.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7627084

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4156929

Last 2 results; Pride Continues to Win

8 May 2010 Saturday (Castro Valley High School Stadium - Castro Valley CA)
Final Score: FC Gold Pride 2 Chicago Red Stars nil
Attendance: 3,153
Goal Scorers:
FC Gold Pride, Tiffeny Millbret (46+') Kelley Ohara (79')

14 May 2010 Friday (Harvard Stadium - Cambridge MA)
Final Score: FC Gold Pride 2 Boston Breakers 1
Attendance: 5,283
Goal Scorers:
FC Gold Pride: Marta (16', 38')
Boston: Kelly Smith (23')

The Roar of the Pride!

I am a relatively new football fan (begining around 2005-2006). I became entralled with The Beautiful game first at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) games. Then of coure, I began reading alot about leagues from all over the world. In 2009, I started "AVFC California" - official supporters group in California for Aston Villa FC in the Premiership league (England). http://www.avfccalifornia.blogspot.com


So why am I starting this blog? I won't go into the details, but during the first half of the MLS season, the San Jose Earthquakes' changed their in-stadium regulations for drums. A drawn out discussion with the Quakes front-office resulted in me giving up my Quakes season tickets. There are more details on my Quakes blog http://www.thefaultzone.blogspot.com

I hadn't spent alot of time following the Pride the last couple of seasons - most of my time was spent supporting the Quakes and I really couldn't afford two sets of season tickets. Now that the Quakes are in my past, I am excited to play catch-up and support the FC Gold Pride. I have 2 daughters, so this is even more of an incentive.

I went to my first Pride game on Saturday 8 May 2010 verusus the Chicago Red Stars at Castro Valley High School. I was really impressed at the standard of play - especially Marta. The Pride have great supporters and at this home game they had a drumline present (looked like they were from Mt. Eden High School in Hayward). I'd love to be able to hang out with them and learn a few things!

I think the only thing that made me shake my head was the half time promo/game for a portable toilet company (toilet paper roll tossing for accuracy). I guess a sponsor is a sponsor though.

Go Pride!