Photo: Courtesy of Philadelphia Independence
On Wednesday, the Independence finally made official what has been rumored for weeks, that
former Atlanta Beat midfielder/striker Lori Chalupny has signed with the team. Chalupny is a former
USWNT player who has been capped over 90 times for the senior squad.
photo by Michael Long
A stoppage time goal from Lianne Sanderson kept the Independence in the race for a first place
finish in WPS on Sunday night at Widener University. Tasha Kai gave Philly the lead on 17 minutes
with a wonderful strike from distance only to see her opener cancelled out seven minutes later by
an Eniola Aluko goal.
Photo: Mike Long
Vero Boquete scored the only goal in the Philadelphia Independence 1–0 win over Atlanta on
Sunday night. It was her third game winning goal in the last four games, and with it the
Independence secured at least a second place finish in WPS. A season high, 4,000 people were on
hand as Philadelphia welcomed the bottom team in WPS to Widener University
The match was the first at home for the Independence's USWNT players Lori Lindsey, Amy Rodriguez
and Nicole Barnhart since the end of the Women's World Cup.
Photo: Michael Long
After winning six straight matches to take the top spot in the WPS table, the Independence
traveled to New Jersey on Saturday night and played one of their worst games of the season. After a
listless first half, Casey Nogueira netted a second half brace to give Sky Blue the 2–0
victory.
Tasha Kai scored a hat trick against her former team and Laura Del Rio scored a 78th minute
winner with her first touch of the game as the Independence twice came from behind to knock off New
Jersey based Sky Blue FC. The win moves Philadelphia to the top of the WPS table for the first time
in team history.
cover photo by Michael Long
The Independence downed Florida for the second consecutive week at Quick Stadium on the campus
of Widener University. Philadelphia dominated the game much like they did last week, but unlike
last week, their finishing could be described as sub par as they only found the net three times
compared to six last week.
The Independence were able to move into second place in the six team WPS with a 6-0 thrashing of
the team I will only refer to as Florida. The margin of victory is the highest ever in the 2.5 year
old league and only the second time ever a team has scored six goals in a game (the now defunct LA
team did it last season).
The Philadelphia Independence rolled into Rochester, New York to become the first team to defeat
the Flash all season. A 90th minute goal by Danesha Adams was a moment of brilliance in a sloppy
game, void of many chances.
Paul Riley continued to tinker with his starting XI, putting out an offensive line up to
challenge New York, who were without some key contributors to their victory in Philadelphia just
two weeks ago.
The Independence wasted Meghan Rapinoe's early first half goal and were defeated 2-1 by the
Western New York Flash on Sunday evening at Widener University. Rapinoe struck after just 9 minutes
before Becky Edwards and Marta answered back for the undefeated Flash before half time.
Philadelphia coach Paul Riley started the game with Amy Rodriguez as a lone striker, possibly
trying to cope with New York's dynamic attack.
