Independence lose ground to first-place FC Gold Pride

HAYWARD, Calif. - FC Gold Pride is far ahead of the rest of Women's Professional Soccer this season and stretched its lead over the second-place Independence with a 2-0 victory on Saturday night.

Gold Pride raised its record to 10-3-1 (31 points) and now is 10 points ahead of the Independence (6-5-3, 21 points).

"In the midfield we did well, but up top we never penetrated or got beyond them," Independence head coach Paul Riley said. "We did a decent job stopping Marta, obviously the game plan was to stop her, but I think we forgot about Sinclair while trying to focus on Marta."

Allison Falk marked Marta throughout the game and prevented the fabled Brazilian national from getting off a clear shot.

Christine Sinclair netted both goals for the Bay Area side to raise her season total to seven. Brittany Cameron filled in capably at goalkeeper in the absence of U.S. national team keeper Nicole Barnhart.

Both squads were missing several national team players as the U.S. defeated Sweden, 3-0, earlier in the day.

The Independence were missing forward Amy Rodriguez, defender Heather Mitts, and midfielder Lori Lindsey. Gold Pride was without Barnhart, defender Rachel Buehler, midfielder Shannon Boxx, and forward Kelley O'Hara.

Sinclair's two goals tied her for second place in the league with Rodriguez. Both players have seven goals, three behind Marta (10).