A Cinderella Story With A Happy Ending

I'm pretty excited to share this blog with you today! Reason being that I am not Nicole, My name is Katie. Nicole asked me to step in for her this weekend, seeing as I am an avid WPS fan I couldn't help but to accept the challenge. So here we go! Enjoy!

It started March 29th. The day that the LA Sol and Washington Freedom would open the Inaugural 2009 WPS Season. Thousands of fans, young and old, attended The Home Depot Center that day. Thousands more around the country tuned in to FSC to watch history be made. Now almost 5 months later, we sit and watch as the season comes to a close. The Sol clinched the WPS Regular Season Title, ending the season 12-3-5,earning them the right to host and play in the Championship game. But who would they play against? The Boston Breakers? Chicago Red Stars? FC Gold Pride? What about Saint Louis Athletica? Would the season end as it began with the Sol playing against the Washington Freedom? None of these teams proved they wanted the playoff spot. Out of no where came the underdog with a Cinderella story.

Sky Blue FC from New York/ New Jersey has battled for the right to play in today's Championship game. With the loss of 2 coaches, now on their third, player-coach Christie Rampone has led the team to a well deserved playoff spot. What was once the underdog, ending the regular season with a 7-8-5 record, is now the team to beat as they take on the LA Sol in the Championship game.

Now, I am the Chicago Red Stars "SuperFan", but I have been secretly pulling for Sky Blue to get to this point all season. Now that they are here, I proudly sat at home in my orange praying that Julianne Sitch[my coach/very close family friend] would come home with the Champion title.

As the first half whistle blew many fans sat on the edge of their seats, at the staduim and at home, wondering who would walk away champions, In the first minute of play Sky Blue FC had earned a corner. The attack had begun, this was the first sign that Sky Blue FC wasnt leaving without the trophy. 17 minutes later came the next sign when Natasha Kai sent a head ball to Heather O'Reilly, who blasted a ball to the back of the net. Only 10 minutes later the LA Sol would be left to play a player down as Allison Falk was sent off the field with a red card. A very well played half by both teams, the stats were as follows

Goals: LA 0 - SBFC 1

Saves: LA 2 - SBFC 1

Shots On Goal: LA 1 - SBFC 3

Corners: LA 1 - SBFC 2

 Second half began and Sky Blue managed to hold Marta and the LA Sol back for all 48[3 minutes of stoppage] left. Jenni Branam taking another beating, this time from Bock who recieved a yellow card for sending Branam flying into the goal. As the final whistle blew a rush of orange was on the field. The underdogs have taken the title! With a 1-0 win over the LA Sol, Sky Blue has won all 3 games in 8 days, all on the road! Heather O'Reilly was given the MVP title and trophy, but in her post game she said Rampone was the MVP, that she had gotten the team to where they were. The team stood on the stage chanting "Sky Who? Sky Blue!!" led by the one and only Natasha Kai. Stats at the end of the game are as follows

Goals: LA 0 - SBFC 1

Saves: LA 4 - SBFC 3

Yellows: LA 1 - SBFC 0

Shots on Goal: LA 3 - SBFC 5

Corners: LA 6 - SBFC 5

Red: LA 1 - SBFC 0

The team is off and celebrating, as would any team! A well deserved win for Sky Blue FC, truley a Cinderella Story with a happy ending! Congrats Ladies, enjoy it!

Congrats to all teams on your inaugural season! See you next season!