Philadelphia Eliminates Magicjack from WPS, Prevents Dream Final Against Western New York

Women's Professional Soccer missed a crucial opportunity for one last grab at popularity this season with their semi-final playoff game yesterday.  Instead of a dream matchup between the Western New York Flash and Magicjack (where both teams have several World Cup stars on their roster), the Philadelphia Independence will be the team playing the Flash come next Sunday.

Philadelphia earned their trip to the Championship game, defeating Magicjack 2-0.  Magicjack had their chances, with 11 corner kicks, but could only manage nine shots on goal.  Abby Wambach and Christie Rampone, both well-known for their play in the World Cup, earned yellow cards (highly unusual for them).

The Independence have three players on their team that played in the World Cup, but the average American fan is unlikely to know who they are: Amy Rodriguez, Lori Lindsey, and Nicole Barnhart.

Attenance at the game was 5,410.  Not bad, but not a sellout.

Western New York contains the powerful offensive duo of Marta (this year's Golden Boot winner) and Alex Morgan, and, as the highest scoring team in the WPS, they should be the favorite.