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Philadelphia Independence 6-0 Florida

The Independence were able to move into second place in the six team WPS with a 6-0 thrashing of the team I will only refer to as Florida. The margin of victory is the highest ever in the 2.5 year old league and only the second time ever a team has scored six goals in a game (the now defunct LA team did it last season). Danesha Adams, starting for the first time this season, scored twice, while Tasha Kai, Lianne Sanderson, Holmfridur Magnusdottir, and Veronica Boquete all chipped in a goal a piece. Boquete added two assists, as did Sinead Farrelly.

Paul Riley partnered Adams and Kai up top together for the first time all season, dropping Veronica Boquete into the top of the diamond shaped midfield in a formation that was clearly put out to attack. This became even more obvious in the opening minutes as all three players pressed high on Florida, who only play with a back three. Adams rewarded Riley’s choice early as well, opening the scoring on only 13 minutes. Boquete received the ball forty yards from goal and moved into space on the right side, taking two Florida defenders with her and leaving tons of space for the speedy Adams to race into. Boquete found her with a well weighted pass back to the center and Adams took two touches before rounding Florida keeper Brett Maron and rolling the ball into the empty net.

Tasha Kai would score a very similar goal on 30 minutes to double the lead. This time the pass would come from the left side from Farrelly and Kai was in on goal from about the same distance. Again Maron came to challenge early, leaving plenty of room behind her. Kai coolly flicked the ball over the keeper and left herself with an easy finish into the gaping goal.

The second half began with more of the same as Christina DiMartino had a shot hit off the left post on 50 minutes after a great centering feed from Kai.

While Florida would find some offense, Independence goalkeeper Val Henderson proved she was up to the task. Ella Masar rang a shot off the cross bar and followed her own rebound only to have the shot pushed away by Henderson on 52 minutes. Substitute Omolyn Davis also had a great opportunity snuffed out by Henderson on 55 minutes as she found her space on the right side of the box, only to put her shot right at the keeper.

It was Adams who surely put the game away when she scored a great individual goal on 66 minutes. Lianne Sanderson did the dirty work in the left corner winning the ball and getting a pass into Adams near the top of the box. Adams cut across the top of the box before isolating Florida’s Meghan Schnur and pushing the ball into space beyond the defender. Before Maron could pounce, Adams was on the ball and finishing into the far post.

Substitute Lianne Sanderson would get in on the goal-scoring action, registering her own on a breakaway on 71 minutes, finishing easily to Maron’s right from 18 yards. Veronica Boquete had a shot ring the post on 78 minutes only to score a minute later on the ensuing corner kick after Florida could not clear the ball bouncing in the box.

Things went from bad to worse for Maron on the evening as Florida’s #3 keeper (Hope Solo and Jillian Loyden are both away with the USWNT) was shown a straight red card on 85 minutes. Sinead Farrelly was in on goal and pushed the ball past Maron only to have the keeper grab her legs and bring her down. An obvious foul and as Maron was the only player between Farrelly and the goal, the card had to be red. Magnusdottir would salt the wound, adding a 15 yard blast two minutes from time.

Paul Riley has hinted that he thought the Independence would be the deepest squad in WPS with all of the World Cup players away. With Adams rounding into form (3 goals in 2 games) along with the stellar play of Kai and Boquete, Riley’s opinion is quickly being validated. And to be able to bring players like Sanderson, Magnusdottir and Laura del Rio off the bench, surely speaks to the depth of the Philadelphia squad.

Paul Riley quote of the week: “There’s battles for positions every week and I’m sure after this result they’ll all be kicking the sh*t out of each other trying to get in the line up for next week.”

Independence: Val Henderson, Leigh Ann Robinson,  Nikki Krzysik, Kia McNeill, Estelle Johnson, Jen Buczkowski, Christina DiMartino (Holmfridur Magnusdottir 79′), Sinead Farrelly, Veronica Boquete, Tasha Kai (Lianne Sanderson 64′), Danesha Adams (Laura del Rio 74′)

Florida – Brett Maron, Marian Dalmy, Tina Ellertson (Rebecca Moros 79′), Johanna Rasmussen (Omolyn Davis 46′), Sarah Huffman, Amanda DaCosta, Lydia Vandenbergh, Nikki Washington, Christen Press (Nikki Marshall 32′), Meghan Schnur, Ella Masar

Player Ratings

Val Henderson – 9

A third consecutive clean sheet for the keeper. Wasn’t troubled too much but made a few great stops, including two quality saves when the game was only 2-0.

Leigh Ann Robinson – 8

Not too much to deal with as the Florida attack was lackluster all evening. But she smartly took the opportunity to get more involved with the offense combining well with Farrelly and Boquete.

Nikki Krzysik – 8

Another smart performance by the captain. Cleaned up what few chances that were created with smart interceptions of passes and great tackling. Almost always finds a good pass to start the offense from the back as well.

Kia McNeill – 9

Another match, another dominating performance for the physical center back. Wins every head ball and punishes any opposing player that tries to take her on.

Estelle Johnson – 8

Similar to Robinson, with not a lot of work for the outside back on the defensive end of the field. Like Krzysik though, finds good passes from the back to spring the offense.

Jen Buczkowski – 9

The defensive midfielder was her usual self, providing link up passes out of the back, breaking up most attacks before Florida could even escape their end and covering for any defenders that found the space to get forward. A thankless job every week, but Buczkowski is the key to the freedom of the rest of the midfield.

Christina DiMartino – 8

Actually a quiet match for the midfielder, as she did not directly figure on any of the goals. But was a constant threat on the dribble all evening and was unlucky not to score herself when her shot rang the post

Sinead Farrelly – 8

Probably the best match we’ve seen from the rookie all season. Not only because of the two assists, but she looked confident all evening taking players on and finding smart passes. Probably should have scored in the second half when in on goal, one of Maron’s few saves on the evening.

Veronica Boquete – 9

The maestro in the center of the park. She took passes from the back and turned them into goals with smart passing of her own. Was confident on the dribble all game and was rightly rewarded with her first goal of the season. With only three games with the team, I’m willing to bet we haven’t even seen her best stuff yet either. Scary.

Tasha Kai – 8

Again, a ton of industry from the striker and finally a reward after coming up empty the last few matches. Her goal was quality and she even hit the bar again with a strike in the second half.

Danesha Adams – 9

Brilliant match in her first start. Finished her best two chances with ease and combined very well with Kai and Boquete.

Subs

Lianne Sanderson  – 8

Looked lively after replacing Kai in the 64th minute and scored in the 71st minute. Huge boost to be able to bring in a sub like Sanderson in the second half.

Laura Del Rio – 8

Replaced Adams in the 74th minute. Was active and had a nice assist to fellow sub Magnusdottir late in the match.

Holmfridur Magnusdottir – 8

Only played for 10 minutes but still managed to find a goal. Great finish after a good pass from Del Rio.

3 Comments

  1. such a pleasing result. wish i had made it out.

  2. Ed Farnsworth says:

    Talked to several people who were at the game, including a few first timers, and all said they had a blast.
    And that Paul Riley quote? What can I say, I love him.

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