Expansion Independence notch first win

Week 3 in Women's Professional Soccer saw a matchup of league leaders St. Louis Athletica (1-0-2) and Boston Breakers (1-0-2) end in a soggy, wet 1-1 tie at The Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park in Fenton, MO. Boston struck first on a long-range shot just outside the box from defender Kasey Moore midway through the first half, but St. Louis equalized shortly after on a header by rookie Carolyn Blank. The draw prevented the two teams from retaining their positions atop the regular season standings as they were leap-frogged by Bay Area's FC Gold Pride (2-1-0) and New Jersey's Sky Blue FC (2-1-0) as each grabbed three points on the weekend.

Joining St. Louis and Boston as the only remaining unbeatens in the league are the surprising Philadelphia Independence, one of two WPS expansion teams in 2010. The Independence recorded their first-ever WPS victory on Sunday and are now 1-0-2 following a 3-1 win over the Washington Freedom (1-2-0) in West Chester, PA. The Independence were propelled to victory on a goal by forward Amy Rodriguez and two assists from former Freedom midfielder Lori Lindsey.

Sunday's third game saw 2009 WPS Champions Sky Blue FC down the Chicago Red Stars (0-2-1), 1-0, for the second time this season by that same scoreline despite being dominated in possession and shots on goal by the Red Stars. Sky Blue FC are now 5-0-1 against Chicago in league play over the past two years.

In Saturday night's only contest, FC Gold Pride won their second consecutive game on a late-game header from Carrie Dew to defeat the Atlanta Beat (0-2-1). For the first time in their franchise history, FC Gold Pride sits in first place in the WPS Regular Season standings, tied atop the table with Sky Blue FC with six points in three games.