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Freedom defeat CyberRays 1-0 in inaugural game

WASHINGTON (WUSA.com) -- The WUSA's inaugural game was prominently billed as a battle between Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain, the dynamic scorer versus the omnipresent defender. Fittingly, the game's most critical play involved the two most prominent players in U.S. women's soccer.

With a scoreless tie in the 70th minute, Hamm eluded a Bay Area CyberRays defender as she made a rare ball-possessing run down the right flank. As Hamm entered the penalty box, Chastain stood waiting in lone defense. Hamm beat Chastain to the inside.

It appeared that the gritty defender may have touched the ball away, but she was whistled for tripping Hamm. Moments later, Pretinha converted the penalty kick for the game's only score. The Washington Freedom, basking in the glorious glow of an ideal springtime afternoon at their home park of soccer-fabled RFK Stadium, held on for an historic 1-0 win in front of 34,148.

"Just hearing the crowd during the game, before the game and after the game was incredible," said Hamm. "Sometimes you get caught up in the game and you lose touch with what's going on around you. They were thanking us for being part of history. No, we're thanking them."

The Freedom are thanking fate for being on the positive end of a questionable call that led to the penalty kick. "I beat Brandi on the inside and I cut it back," said Hamm. "It's not my judgment to call a foul or not call a foul. With a game like this, I was sad that that's the way it was. That's part of soccer."

Chastain answered diplomatically and deliberately when asked about the call against her. "I felt strongly that that wasn't the call I would have made."

Deliberation, more than dynamic attacking, set the tone throughout most of the game. Much of the play in the first half focused on careful, central midfield play.

"In a big game, the players are real focused on not making a big mistake," said Freedom head coach Jim Gabarra.

Still, both teams managed their share of exciting moments. In the first half the CyberRays' Sissi showed some wizardry on the ball in central midfield, teammate Venus James made some dynamic runs on the right flank and Chastain attempted to open up the final third with some long balls up the left flank from her back left position.

Pretinha and her Brazilian teammate, Roseli, flashed moments of one-on-one brilliance. Freedom attacking midfielder Amanda Cromwell hit several pinpoint passes to attackers ahead.

Hamm, recovering most of the preseason from a shoulder surgery, played in her first full, non-practice scrimmage eight days ago against the University of Maryland women. To keep her away from unwanted physical play, Gabarra placed Hamm as an outside right midfielder. Hamm was ineffective throughout most of the first half. Hamm's most dynamic attempt occurred in the 43rd minute, when she got behind the defense in the right corner and sent a dangerous cross to the middle of the box that was cleared away by the CyberRays defense.

The CyberRays were more aggressive in attack than the Freedom, and goalie Siri Mullinix created most of the exciting moments for the Freedom. In the 26th minute, a sprawling Mullinix slapped away a shot following a scramble in front of the goal.

Gabarra was not concerned about his team's attack deficiency in the first half. "Out biggest fear was the players would be too excited and would do too much," he said. "In games like this, you find defenders are working hard not to make mistakes. I didn't want to put the added pressure on (out attackers). They are always free to express themselves in the final third."

The "Let's Go Freedom" chants started in the 50th minute, and the inspired home team promptly pushed forward in attack. In the 55th minute, Chastain raced back half the field on a counter by the Freedom in chase of a dashing Roseli. Moments later, Chastain was called for a foul and earned a caution.

In the 59th minute, Hamm's flick on header from just right of goal sailed slowly over the crossbar. The CyberRays then picked up the attack until the decisive call against Chastain

Three minutes after Pretinha scored, Brazilian star Sissi nearly knotted the match. Her free kick from head on just outside the box hit the right crossbar. The ball caromed across the goalmouth, but the Freedom cleared the ball away following a few touchy moments.

It was a typical moment in the game where the Freedom defense shined.

"Our defense was incredible today," said Hamm. "Siri Mullinix is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and she proved that today." Mullinix saved eight shots.

The CyberRays hoped a defender, Chastain, could help their closing push to tie the match. She switched positions with central midfielder Amy Walsh, but to no avail. Despite the loss, CyberRays' coach Ian Sawyer left the pitch happy with his team's performance.

"I thought we did an exceptional job of dominating possession," he said. "We could have put a few away."

WUSA CEO Tony DiCicco was elated about the day, especially the bigger-than-expected crowd. But he showed concern about many spectators missing the early parts of the game after being stuck in lines to pick up pre-ordered tickets. One stadium official estimated that 1,500 envelopes of tickets were picked up at the stadium.

"We're delighted about most of what's transpired today," said DiCicco. "The crowd was outstanding. But I know we offended some fans, and that's the last thing I want to do. We owe them some apologies."

DiCicco blamed the long wait for tickets on many orders made the week before the game. The league chose not to mail the tickets to ensure they would not get lost.

"We're going to try and find a way to make it up to them with some kind of complementary pass to an upcoming event," said John Hendricks, co-founder of the league and an investor of the Freedom.

by Dave Ungrady, special to the WUSA

© 2001, Women's United Soccer Association