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Marta netted her third goal of the season to lead the Los Angeles Sol to a 1-0 victory over FC Gold Pride.  (John Todd | isiphotos.com)

Boxscore (All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial.)

CARSON, Calif. (April 19, 2009) - The Los Angeles Sol defeated FC Gold Pride, 1-0, on a scorching Sunday afternoon at The Home Depot Center to claim its third consecutive shutout victory of the season.

“It was great to see the excitement today,” said Los Angeles Sol Head Coach Abner Rogers.  “There were a lot of great scoring opportunities for both teams. You usually don’t see that type of excitement in a 1-0 game.”

After trading scoring opportunities for the first 44 minutes of the game, Japanese international Aya Miyama received a well placed through ball that gave the Sol a one-on-one scoring opportunity in the closing moments of the first half. But with pressure from FC Gold Pride keeper Nicole Barnhart, Miyama was forced to take a quick shot six yards out that grazed the outside right post and ended the half. 

With halftime providing the Sol with an opportunity to escape the heat and regroup, they opened the second half with a new energy and a new formation that allowed them to set the tone for the rest of the game.

In the 47th minute, midfielder Aly Wagner chipped a ball over the backline that found Marta running in stride through the 18-yard box. Marta settled the ball down, took a quick touch and placed it past Barnhart into the back of the net.

“Marta made a great run and was in the gap,” said Wagner. “I played a ball over the backline into an open space and she did a great job finishing it.”

The Los Angeles Sol travel to face Saint Louis Athletica on Saturday, April 25 at 4pm ET / 3pm CT / 1pm PT.  FC Gold Pride returns to the Bay Area to host the Washington Freedom on Sunday, April 26 in a match that will be televised nationally on Fox Soccer Channel (6pm ET / 3pm PT).

Boxscore (All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial.)

POST-GAME QUOTE SHEET

ALY WAGNER ON ASSIST TO MARTA

“In the second half we made some changes and I moved outside to midfield.  Marta made a great run and was in the gap.  I played a ball over the backline into an open space and she did a great job finishing it.” 

ALY WAGNER ON TEAM PLAY TODAY

“It was hot and we were lethargic in the first half. We had bad movement, bad everything.  In the second half we changed our formation and got a little wind under our sails.  We came out sharper and crisper.  I think that helped open the game up.”

MARTA ON GOAL

“Aly gave me a great pass and put me in a position to score. We’ve connected several times during training and it was great that we got one today that was the difference in the game.”

ABNER ROGERS ON THE EXCITEMENT OF TODAY’S GAME

“It was great to see the excitement today. There were a lot of great scoring opportunities for both teams. You usually don’t see that type of excitement in a 1-0 game.”

ABNER ROGERS ON MARTA’S GOAL

“It was a series of great passes that led to her goal. When she got behind the backline, I knew she was going to get a shot on goal. Marta is just so explosive.” 

KARINA LEBLANC ON THIRD CONSECUTIVE SHUTOUT

“It’s a testament to how well our entire team has played defensively. When our team defends as well as we have lately, it makes my job a lot easier.”