The struggles of both the Boston Breakers and Atlanta Beat seem to be long in the rear-view mirror. Boston, after winning its opening match, suffered through a nine-game winless streak; Atlanta didn't win a match for its first seven contests, and only won a single game in its first 12.
On Wednesday night at Harvard Stadium in Allston, Mass., the Breakers and Beat meet with playoff position at stake.
Boston is coming off a 5-1 month of July which has skyrocketed them up into third place in Women's Professional Soccer. Meanwhile, the Beat are on a 3-0-1 stretch where the defense has recorded three shutouts. While they sit in a tie for last with the Washington Freedom, Atlanta is just three points shy of a playoff spot.
Atlanta is coming off a scoreless draw against the league-leading Gold Pride. Beat coach Gareth O'Sullivan is happy with the team's performance of late and doesn't want things to change when taking on the Breakers.
"We need to continue creating chances and executing our game plan," said O'Sullivan. "Confidence is high going into Boston."
In the only other meeting between the two clubs, Atlanta took a 1-0 lead into halftime on the road, but the Breakers scored three goals in a five-minute span in the second half to propel them to a 3-1 victory on July 11.
"That five minute spell won’t happen again," said O'Sullivan.
Jordan Angeli's recent string of goals began in that match against Atlanta. But still, O'Sullivan feels it's another Breaker, Kelly Smith, who "is a handful," and of higher priority for his defense.
Breakers coach Tony DiCicco knows that game wasn't a true indication of the two sides. Both teams were missing players and he feels Atlanta is more dangerous now.
"Atlanta is coming together and is a dangerous team with a deep bench," DiCicco said. "We have to continue to play good team defense and also counter-attack from good defense.
"They can come from set pieces or from our play during the flow of the game," DiCicco added of the threats Atlanta poses. "They also have (keeper) Hope (Solo) and (defender) Tina (Ellertson) and a good cast of defenders so it won’t be easy."
For Boston, Liz Bogus remains out with an injury, while DiCicco points out that Sarah Walsh is on her way back to full health, though she won't be in the lineup. Atlanta has its full roster healthy for the contest.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.
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Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Atlanta Beat Set To Tangle With Boston Breakers (Goal.com)
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