The Washington Freedom will have to take the longest route through Women’s Pro Soccer’s short, sweet and quirky postseason to claim the league’s inaugural title.
But it isn’t the toughest, since as No. 3 seed, the Freedom (8-7-5) at least hosts their playoff opener against No. 4 Sky Blue (7-8-5), a team they beat last weekend.
The winner advances to the WPS’ “super semifinal” at second-seeded St. Louis (10-6-4) on Wednesday. By virtue of earning the regular-season title, Los Angeles (12-3-5) was rewarded a berth in the championship match and the right to host it on Saturday, Aug. 22, at Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
“It’s a huge task with three pretty big steps,” said Freedom head coach Jim Gabarra. “But we’ve kind of been in that playoff mentality for the last couple of weeks. It’s certainly a challenge to beat a team twice in a row. But we feel good about the match-up, and having it at home is a good plus.”
Washington will be without all-star midfielder Sonia Bompastor, who departed this week to join the French national team ahead of the 2009 Women’s European Championship.
