Soccer's A-Rod remains on a-roll.
Independence forward Amy Rodriguez scored two goals and added an assist in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Chicago Red Stars at West Chester University.
Rodriguez has scored in six consecutive Women's Professional Soccer games, totaling nine goals in that span. Overall, Rodriguez has 11 goals. That doesn't count the goal she scored for the United States national team in a friendly against Sweden on July 13.
"It's been the same story lately, but I'll take it as long as we keep winning," Rodriguez said.
The Independence (8-5-3) strengthened their hold on second place in the seven-team WPS with 27 points, still 10 behind the first-place FC Gold Pride of California. Chicago dropped to 4-8-5.
This was not the homecoming that Chicago coach Omid Namazi envisioned. A former player-coach for the Kixx, Namazi still maintains a home in Washington Township, Gloucester County.
"They are just better than we are," said Namazi, who was named Chicago's coach on June 3. "We are struggling to score, and right now our confidence is running low."
The opposite is true for Rodriguez.
"She is brilliant right now, and everybody knows she is hot and her efficiency right now is unbelievable," Independence coach Paul Riley said.
The Independence were playing without injured defenders Heather Mitts and Sara Larsson. Nikki Krzysik again moved to center back and had a strong showing, teaming with all-star central defender Allison Falk.
It's hard to gain much attention when Rodriguez is on such a blistering scoring spree. What's impressive about her game is that she is often coming back farther than many forwards to get the ball. She also moves well without the ball, constantly getting open despite tight marking.
Her first goal in the 12th minute wasn't a classic. In fact, Rodriguez, after receiving a feed from Lori Lindsey, fired a shot that deflected off a defender and went past goalie Jill Loyden.
A graduate of Vineland High and Villanova, Loyden had little chance on Rodriguez's second goal in the 25th minute, a 25-yarder after a feed from Krzysik.
Rodriguez fed Caroline Seger, who scored her first goal of the season in the 56th minute.
Contact staff wrier Marc Narducci at 856-779-3225 or mnarducci@phillynews.com
