Like the Union against Chivas the night before, the Independence leapt to an early lead over the Boston Breakers. Amy Rodriguez put the Independence on the board in the 17th minute after nearly scoring twice in the first ten minutes of play. Receiving a pass from Lianne Sanderson in the box, Rodriguez faked a defender and then sent the ball into the upper left corner of the goal past Boston keeper Alyssa Naeher. It was her seventh goal of the season and she has now scored in the last four games.

Scoring chances abounded for the home team, including Johanna Lohman’s volley of Holmfridur Magnusdottir’s cross in the 43rd minute which sailed just over the bar.

Dominating play in the first half, Philadelphia allowed Boston just two shots, only one of which was on goal.

But July 4th was not to be the Independence’s day.

Seconds after the start of the second half, a long ball from Stephanie Cox fell between the Philadelphia defense and Independence keeper Katrina LeBlanc. Boston’s Lauren Cheyney beat LeBlanc to the ball and put it past her for the equalizer.

The Independence fought back, led by Lori Lindsey. In the 55th minute she chipped the keeper for the go-ahead goal only for it to be called back for offsides. This effort was followed by two solid headers but Philadelphia couldn’t get the ball over the line.

Momentum shifted Boston’s way in the last ten minutes of play and in the 84th minute Kristine Lilly scored the winner after she broke free of Philadelphia’s backline to receive Kelly Smith’s pass and slipped the ball past LeBlanc. It was Lilly’s first goal of the season and gave Boston their first win since their season opener on April 10th against Washington Freedom.

Independence coach Paul Riley said after the match, “We didn’t put the ball away in the first half and it came back to haunt us. I think honestly it should have been three or four nothing going into halftime, and I think had [Johanna] Lohman scored the goal in the 43rd minute going into the half it would have been a different story. We gave them life by letting in an early second half goal and it changed the whole complexion of the game. Unfortunately, at the end of the day, we didn’t play well enough in the second half to take the three points.”

Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Independence