USL News Release
Friday, July 29, 2011
SEATTLE - Atlanta silverbacks coach Chris Adams said he had no doubt that Megan Tomlinson would finish chances in the air if presented an opportunity. Friday she had two, and she led the Silverbacks to a 3-1 victory against the Vancouver Whitecaps and a spot in Sunday’s W-League championship game.
"She’s freakishly athletic," Adams said. "When the ball goes in the air there’s no quit in her. It’s not the first time we’ve seen her do that where she’s been able to beat a ’keeper to the ball and tuck it in."
While the Whitecaps pressed for goals late in the game the Silverbacks back line stood strong and limited Vancouver to shots from range posing no real threat to the Atlanta goal.
As in prior games this season, Atlanta took the lead early only to allow the opposition back in. This experience proved to be valuable and paved the path for the remainder of the game. After being awarded a free kick in the 16th minute just inside midfield, Tomlinson showed that athletic ability winning a header over Whitecaps goalkeeper Jaclyn Dunnett. With the goal empty the ball bounced over the line putting Atlanta up 1-0.
It took only two minutes for the Whitecaps to equalize. Tiffani Weimer fired in a wonderful strike from nearly 30 yards out that squeezed just inside the left post. Weimer continued to be a force during the first half providing the Whitecaps with the majority of chances. Vancouver couldn’t find the quality to finish in the final third, which proved their plague throughout the game.
Neither team could get ahold of the game to start the second half. Played over the back line Tomlinson ran onto the ball but the Whitecaps defense recovered forcing her shot high over the post. One minute later Tomlinson’s did one better. Teammate Tiffini Turpin played the ball in from the left side and Tomlinson’s deft header found the back of the net to make it 2-1. Atlanta wouldn’t look back.
With Vancouver pressing to get back into the game Atlanta’s defense held strong and looked to release Tomlinson & Co. on the occasional counter-attack.
Whitecaps Rookie of the Year Sydney Leroux did well in the 68th minute to slice through the Silverbacks midfield. After a bit of one-touch passing Amy Vermeulen could only fire straight at Ashley Baker.
Five minutes later and Atlanta was on their way to Sunday’s W-League Championship. Jamie Pollock took the ball and worked her way in from the right side of the box. There was nothing Dunnett could do as the low, left-footed strike found the bottom right corner.
With the victory Atlanta will face the winner of the second semifinal between Seattle Sounders and the Ottawa Fury. The W-League Championship Presented by Umbro will air on FOX Soccer Monday, August 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET.