It appears as if there is a changing of the guard in the W-League’s Western Conference. Perennial champions Pali Blues were handed their fourth loss in five games on Monday to the expansion Santa Clarita Blue Heat. This also marks the seventh consecutive match without a win for the Los Angeles side. The Pali Blues came into the 2010 W-League campaign as back-t0-back league champions. They had never been defeated in their two year existence.

Their first ever loss came on June 19th while away to the Vancouver Whitecaps. Canadian international Sophia Schmidt scored the game-winner, as the Blues’ Alex Morgan had equalized just a minute after the Whitecaps struck first. They are currently riding an eight-match unbeaten streak; their best in franchise history. They host the Santa Clarita Blue Heat tomorrow and will capture the Western Conference with a win and a Colorado Rush tie or loss in their Colorado derby. They currently sit 10 points above the Rush in the standings and will likely finish first, despite the result tomorrow.

The Blue Heat started slow but are coming off of back-to-back victories, including a 1-0 win over the forlorn Pali Blues. The Whitecaps thumped the Blue Heat 4-0 during their last meeting.

The ‘caps had previously been W-League royalty as they had won the league Championship in both 2004 and 2006, guided by the likes of Christine Sinclair and Tiffeny Milbrett. But after a couple mediocre seasons, the Whitecaps have consolidated their squad and have been particularly focused on tending to Canadian talent.

The Whitecaps added 23 year-old Kara Lang whose professional career was stymied by an ACL injury. She led a star-studded attack at UCLA and can be considered a young veteran as she made her first appearance for the Canadian Women’s National team at just 15.

Melissa Tancredi has also been a force in Vancouver this year. She leads the team with five goals and one assist. She was a member of the Saint Louis Athletica last season.

Other names include Robyn Gale, Sophie Schmidt, Jodi-Ann Robinson (who has contributed three goals and two assists), and veteran defender Martina Franko who played for the Los Angeles Sol last season.

Meanwhile, the Pali Blues continue their slide. They have just one match remaining this season at home against the Colorado Rush. This, despite having blue chip talent in the likes of Alex Morgan, Lauren Fowlkes, and many other players currently in the USWNT U-23 pool.

It appears as if the Whitecaps have pried the Western Conference – and perhaps the W-League itself – away from the Pali Blues. And it’s done so with a crop of Canada’s finest talent.

View Original Post at allwhitekit.wordpress.com

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