FCGP Gold Pride fan Kendall Roach was in the stands for FCGP’s debut performance at Pioneer Stadium on Saturday night. She offers her take on the evening’s proceedings.

Top of the table FC Gold Pride took on the struggling Boston Breakers this weekend in their grand opening of Pioneer Stadium on the campus of Cal State East Bay. It was a great match with both sides getting some quality chances but the Pride kept their home record clean with a 1-0 win.

The game started with the Pride’s midfield seemingly asleep while Boston was alert and ready. Both Becky Edwards and Shannon Boxx were caught waiting for the ball and Boston almost got the lead off a Kristine Lilly free kick. But it didn’t take long for the Pride to wake up and when they did, Boston’s defense got a workout.

Pride forward Christine Sinclair and Boston defender Amy LePeilbet clashed all evening, with Sinclair tearing the defense apart and LePeilbet chasing her down to clean it up. Boston’s starting keeper, Alyssa Naeher, had to be replaced in the 28’ after a collision with Shannon Boxx and Ashley Phillips was in the net for barely 10 minutes when the Pride struck.

Rookie Kelley O’Hara had a great run down the left side, made a give and go with Christine Sinclair in the box, and managed to slip the ball into the left corner despite the three Boston defenders around her. This 38’ goal proved to be the game winner.

Boston had many chances to tie it up. Lindsay Tarpley came out hungry and seems to work well with Lauren Cheney. Kristine Lilly played in the center for Boston and was able to get many services in for both Tarpley and Cheney. Fabiana was a nuisance, pressuring relentlessly. But the quick Pride defense held them off.

The second half was an exciting one. It’s no question that FC Gold Pride has a loaded offense, but they just couldn’t seem to find that net. Shots were sent wide, high, into the keeper, and off the defense all night. Defenders Ali Riley and Kandace Wilson made many runs up the flanks but it didn’t help. Marta in particular seemed to get extremely frustrated as the game wore on – she was spectacular as usual, but just couldn’t convert.

Boston, on the other hand, struggled late in the half. Cheney was quiet and Fabiana seemed to be running out of steam. There was one chance on a Boston corner where the ball got past ‘keeper Barnhart and had to be dramatically cleared off the line by Riley but that was it. The Breakers seemed just about broken when Coach Tony DiCicco went to his bench. Enter: Ocho.

Tiffany “Ocho” Weimer came on in the 79’ for Tarpley. The effect was almost immediate. One thing I’ve always loved about Weimer is her energy and it was just what Boston needed. Weimer didn’t make any spectacular plays but her enthusiasm seemed to radiate into her teammates. Cheney and Fabiana both appeared again and Boston was able to hang on until the end, keeping it a one goal difference.

All in all, Boston looked scattered without Kelly Smith and was on their last gasp by the end of the match. And for all the Pride’s firepower, they sure need to work on finishing.

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