Prediction
Here is Soccer America Associate Editor Dean Caparaz’s prediction for the June 20 game: Bay Area 2 Philadelphia 1
Preview
(all times ET) Wednesday, June 20 – (10:00 pm) – Philadelphia (5-3-2, 3rd place, 17 pts) at Bay Area (3-4-2, 6th place, 11 pts) (KICU). Season series: Philadelphia leads 1-0;
All-time regular-season series: Philadelphia leads 1-0 (Philadelphia leads 3-2 on aggregate goals).
Leading scorers: Philadelphia: M Liu Ailing (5 g, 1 a = 11 pts); Bay Area: M Brandi Chastain (2 g, 1 a = 5 pts) and M Sissi (1 g, 3 a = 5 pts).
Did you know? Philadelphia M Michelle Demko headed in the game-winning goal in the 79th minute of the two teams’ first meeting, on May 6 at Villanova Stadium. … Both teams missed players in that match. The Bay Area was without F Katia (sprained ankle-L), D Kelly Lindsey (finals at Notre Dame) and M Tisha Venturini (broken wrist-L), while the Charge missed F Kelly Smith (stress fracture in ankle-R) and G Melissa Moore (broken hand-R).
Key players out: Philadelphia: Erica Iverson (stress fracture foot-R), M Lorrie Fair (strained hamstring), F Kelly Smith (England/Euro 2001), D Doris Fitschen (Germany/Euro 2001); Bay Area: D Lauren Molinaro (tibia fracture-R), G Jen Mead (knee surgery-L).
Notes: Bay Area G LaKeysia Beene (1.22 GAA) has been unscored upon in 347 minutes. With seven more scoreless minutes, she could break the WUSA record of 353 scoreless minutes held by Atlanta G Briana Scurry. Beene last allowed a goal — to Atlanta F Charmaine Hooper — on May 27 in the Beat’s 1-0 win in San Jose, Calif. Philadelphia leads the league in goals per game with 1.7. … Philadelphia is 3-1-2 away from home thus far and suffered its first road defeat last Sunday in New York, 2-1. … Through 10 games, defender Jennifer Tietjen is the only Charge player to play all 900 minutes.
KEY MATCHUP: Philadelphia M Rebekah McDowell vs. Bay Area M Sissi: The CyberRays Brazilian star had a goal and an assist in the previous meeting. If Philly’s defensive midfielder can make life tough for the bald playmaker, the depleted Charge will have an easier match against the scoring-challenged Bay Area club (1.1 gpg).
SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Kari Seitz; Assistant Referees: Chris Strickland (SAR), Yader Reyes (JAR), Fourth Official: Dinesh Singh.
