In the final meeting of the season for the two Colorado teams, Lisa Kosena-Forbes turned a Rebekah Patrick pass into the game’s only goal in the 47th minute.

In goal, Kristin Salminen registered three saves as she picked up the shutout. Megan McCain had one save in taking the loss for the Rush.

With the victory at Loveland Sports Park, the Colorado Force moved to 3-7-1 (10 points), while the Rush dropped to 6-5-3 (21 points).

Next Up: Now the Force goes on a swing through the Pacific Northwest. They face Victoria on Wednesday night in British Columbia, followed by Vancouver on Friday, before wrapping up with Seattle on Sunday.

Locally, as the days left in the season shrink, rivalries grow. This is particularly true in Colorado women’s soccer as the Colorado Force and the Colorado Rush meet for the final time this season on Saturday.

For The Thursday List, we take a look at the results between the two teams in their brief rivalry.

Meeting Result
1st Force 1, Rush 1
2nd Force 1, Rush 0
3rd Rush 2, Force 1

So far, it’s all even at 1-1-1 for each side in this Colorado derby.

On Saturday, we get a chance to see if these two side can find some separation as the Force (2-7-1) hosts the Rush (6-4-3) at 7 p.m. at Loveland Sports Park.

The loss dropped the Force to 1-3-1, 4 points, on the season and left the team in seventh place in the eight-team Western Conference. Vancouver improved to 6-1-1, 19 points, and briefly pulled even with the Santa Clarita Blue Heat at the top of the conference.

Jenna Richardson, making her debut for the Whitecaps, scored both goals for the visitors.

Vancouver applied pressure early and nearly scored in the 2nd minute when Tiffany Weimer, the Whitecaps’ leading scorer, shot wide after beating Force goalkeeper Hannah Clark. In the 32nd minute Richardson, an Oregon State University product, didn’t miss on her opportunity when her shot deflected off the inside of the right post and into the goal. Weimer assisted on the goal.

Richardson made it 2-0 in the 47th minute—again off a Weimer ball—and Vancouver continued to control momentum well into the second half. Unofficially, the Whitecaps racked up 13 shots before Colorado’s first.

The home side rallied late, starting with Samantha Pena’s scoring chance in the 74th minute. Pena beat Vancouver keeper Jaclyn Dunnett but couldn’t convert on the opportunity. Moments later Colorado’s Britany Garret came close again to close a flurry of offensive momentum. The match ended with Vancouver holding a 13-5 edge in shots.

The Force will look to bounce back at 1 p.m. Sunday when it returns to Loveland Sports Park to host the Seattle Sounders on Father’s Day. Vancouver continues its Colorado visit with a 1:30 p.m. match against the Colorado Rush at Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch. The Sounders fell to the Rush 1-0 on Friday night.

Lindsey Horan delivered the lone goal of the evening in the 56th minute at Trail Winds Park in Thornton, Colo. Horan threatened several times during the night before her shot from inside the box found the upper left corner, giving her four goals in four games this season.

Horan had nearly given the 204 fans in attendance a lead in the first half when her hard strike brought a full-stretch save in the 45th minute.

The goal came after a long-run of attacking play for the Rush, and it seemed to snap Seattle back to life. The Sounders started to find the game, and delivered several dangerous chances, particularly off corner kicks. In the 71st minute, the Sounders nearly pulled even when a shot from Jane Mitchell pinged off the near post.

The back and forth nature of the evening continued as the Rush sought a second goal before seeking to kill the game in the closing 10 minutes.

With the victory, the Rush improved to 5-3-0, 15 points, in the Western Conference. Seattle fell to 2-5-1, 7 points.

Next, the Rush — who have played home matches in Commerce City and Thornton this season — return to the team’s normal home, Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, for a 1:30 p.m. Sunday match against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Vancouver defeated the Rush 3-0 earlier this season and beat the Colorado Force 2-0 on Friday.

Seattle travels a short drive up I-25 to Loveland to face the Colorado Force at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

With the 0-0 result, the Force moves to 1-1-1 in the W-League’s Western Conference, while unbeaten Pali stands at 3-0-3. The Force returns to action at 7 p.m. Saturday when it hosts Santa Clarita at the University of Northern Jackson Field complex in Greeley. Pali continues its Front Range road swing on Saturday when it meets Rush in Denver.

In the 82nd minute, Force forward Carly Bolyard nearly provided the go-ahead score when she slipped behind the Pali defense for a one-one-one opportunity against Blues keeper Anna Maria Picarelli Bolyard received a through ball from Samantha Pena, and found herself in front of onrushing Picarelli. Bolyard had enough time to attempt to attempt an off-balance shot with her left foot, but Picarelli made the stop.

Moments later, Pali created a scoring chance in the 90th minute that Colorado repelled to preserve the draw.
The tie with Pali, which won back-to-back W-League titles in 2008 and 2009 and appears to be a contender again this year, is an early-season milestone for Colorado, said Force coach Tracy Chao.

“This was a very good soccer game,” Chao said. “It was a very good test for us, and what’s going to define our season, as far as the level our players can play at. I was very proud of our team and all the individual efforts out there.”

While both sides created a handful of scoring opportunities, including a string of corner kick chances for Pali in the first half, defense ruled. Picarelli, starting in her fourth match for the Blues, posted her third shutout and lowered her goal-against-average to 0.250. Force keeper Hannah Clark kept a season-long clean sheet, with two shutouts in her two starts. Force defender Kristen DeDycker, who anchored Colorado’s backline, was named Woman of the Match.

Reflective of the scoreboard, the teams matched shots on goal with seven apiece. However, Pali took eight corner kicks to just two for Colorado. Picarelli made three saves for Pali and Clark stopped six shots for Colorado.

The Force, making one of two appearances this season at Jackson Field in Greeley, were stung in the first half when Los Angeles forward Cherelle Khassal registered the game’s only goal. Khassal struck for the winner in the 31st minute of play. She found herself with a one-on-one opportunity against Force ‘keeper Kirstin Salminen after a teammate delivered a well-placed pass through the middle of the defense.

Colorado (0-1), which features just two members back from last season’s side, will have two weeks to regroup for its next match. The Force will return to its regular home pitch at Loveland Sports Park when it hosts the Victoria Highlanders at 1 p.m. on June 5, the first of five consecutive home matches in June.

While Los Angeles (2-1) won the statistical battle, recording 11 shots to just four for the Force, the match was largely played in the midfield.

The Force raised the pressure late, creating scoring opportunities in the 75th minute and the 83rd minute. In the 75th minute, midfield Erin Gunther sent a crossing ball into the box. Two Force players lunged to head the ball, but it was pushed away by L.A. ‘keeper Erin Frushon. And Frushon made a stout save in the 83rd minute when Lisa Kosena Forbes fired a left footed shot from just outside the penalty area.

Assistant Coach Tony Anglin was promoted to head coach of the Colorado Force. (Photo Courtesy Colorado Force)

Tony Anglin didn’t stay an assistant coach for long.

On Wednesday, the Colorado Force announced that Anglin would take over as head coach, replacing Craig Deacon.

“I am absolutely honored and delighted to be asked to head up the coaching staff and to succeed Craig Deacon as head coach of the Colorado Force,” Anglin said. “Having worked with the organization and especially (Force owner) Amy Snider over last three months, I have grown to be very passionate about where we can take the organization both on and off the field in the near future and in the long term.”

Anglin’s Credentials: A native of England, Anglin was the W-League Coach of the Year in 2008 when he led the Atlanta Silverbacks to the Eastern Conference Finals. He was also head coach for the Chicago Red Eleven in 2009, taking that side to the playoffs.

Anglin’s coaching background dates to 1991, when he served as coach and youth development officer for Burnham FC in England. He played for 19 years at the professional and semi-professional levels in England before entering the coaching ranks. Anglin recently coached at the W-League Scouting Combine, where W-League players were evaluated by the Women’s Professional Soccer league. That’s where Anglin met Deacon, leading to Deacon’s decision to recruit Anglin to the Force coaching staff.

“He is a tremendous coach,” said Deacon, who stepped down after six seasons. “He has a wealth of experience and history within the women’s game and the Force is very lucky to obtain his services.” 

Departure Prompt: Deacon said he opted to turn over the Force reins to Anglin so he could focus on his multiple other soccer-related roles, including technical director for the new Colorado Storm Academy FC division, coaching for the Colorado Rapids Academy, and ownership of the Fort Collins-based Core Soccer Academy.

 ”I want to be able to focus more on some of my businesses and programs, which was part of why I recruited Tony,” Deacon said. “That was the vision of bringing Tony here. I will continue to be around, but I need to pass it on to someone who will be able to give it the necessary time it needs.”

Deacon’s six seasons with the Force included a playoff appearance in 2009. Three of Deacon’s Force players from the 2009 squad were also drafted into the WPS before this season.

 ”We have been very fortunate to have excellent coaching for the Force over the past six years with Craig; his influence on the program has resulted in a playoff-level team,” said Force owner Snider. “He (Anglin) brings this experience to our organization and will take the team to a new level of competition and professionalism.  We are very fortunate to have him.  He has a long-term vision for the women’s game, he’s a great collaborator, and we’re very excited for the opportunities he will create for our players.”

Between 7 p.m. Friday and about 9 p.m. Sunday, a soccer fan can catch two Colorado Force W-League matches, a Colorado Rapids home game and the inaugural match of the Colorado Rush W-League team.

And if four games in a little more than two days isn’t enough, the Rush plays again on Tuesday night. As a fan, a weekend of top-flight play in two different leagues with no more than some time in the car going from field to field is a treat of the first order.

First: The Fort Collins-based Force kicks off the action at 7 p.m. Friday in the Loveland Sports Park against Seattle Sounders. The two teams tied in Washington this past Friday. It was the first game of the season for the Force, and the return will mark the team’s first home game.

Following: Next, the Rapids take on the Eastern Conference-leading Columbus Crew at 7 p.m. Saturday at Dick’s Sporting

Rapids Conor Casey (left) and Sounders Jeff Parks (right) and Steve Zakuani threaten to take control of the ball during the game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park May 29, 2010. Conor scores the only goal and the Rapids come out on top 1-0. (Photograph by Jessica Taves/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Goods Park. The Crew is 6-1-2 after suffering its first loss of the season to Los Angeles. The Rapids are coming off a 1-0 win over Seattle Sounders FC, which could be a good omen against Columbus.

The Rapids last defeated Columbus on April 8, 2006, a 3-1 win at Invesco Field at Mile High. The Crew have won four of the seven meetings since – including the last two at DSG Park – with three draws.

Doubleheader: On Sunday, the scheduling gets a little more interesting. The Rush kick off against Seattle at 2 p.m. at Englewood High School Stadium. This will be a game of firsts, as it will be the first game and the first home game of the team’s inaugural season.

Then, the Force tangles with the Vancouver Whitecaps at 7 p.m. in Loveland. The Whitecaps got an 89th minute goal this past Sunday to beat Colorado 2-1. The Force starts its first home stand 0-1-1, which, as we know from Tom “Gunny” Highway in “Heartbreak Ridge,” is a record that can easily look better after a win. Too bad Grenada isn’t on this schedule.

Four-Course Meal: I’ve been looking forward to this weekend for months. It’s an embarrassment of riches to have this many games in such a short span of time. It’s like the perfect appetizer to the June 11 start of the World Cup. With those games, I can sit in my living room and yell at the TV all I want.

With this coming weekend of games, I get to go outside, sit in the stands, and yell. I can’t wait.

Coda: Then, just to keep the spirit of this weekend going, Rush plays the Whitecaps at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Englewood high. Is too much of a good thing possible?

All of Sunday’s scoring occurred in the final 20 minutes. After a scoreless first half, Vancouver tallied the game’s first goal in the 70^th minute off of a free kick. The ball was played into the box where  defender Martina Franko, a veteran who played for the WPS Los Angeles Sol last season, headed the ball into the top right corner of the goal past Force keeper Maria Del Guercio. 

The Force rallied to tie the match in the 86^th minute. Force defender Yolanda Hamilton, one of two Jamaicans on the team, broke free down the left side of the field before sending a crossing ball low into the box. The ball was collected by forward Ali Andrzejeski, who struck a shot that went under the keeper’s arms.

But Vancouver netted the game winner three minutes later, also off a set play. The ball was lofted to the  back post, where Vancouver forward Melissa Tancredi redirected it with her head into the goal. Tancredi, like Franko, is a former WPS player. Tancredi played last season for the St. Louis Athletica.

The setback left the Force with a record of 0-1-1 in the W-League after its annual Pacific Northwest road trip.

Seattle Start: On Friday night, Force opened its 2010 season with a valuable road draw, capturing a 1-1 result against the Seattle Sounders on a wet pitch Friday night.

Stocked with new faces to start the 2010 season, it was fitting that the first goal of the season for the Colorado Force came from a newcomer. Midfielder Christie Ehrhardt knocked in the Force’s only goal in the first half, scoring on a header in the 21st minute.

Ehrhardt’s goal occurred after the Force executed a quick throw-in into the right corner. Force forward Andrzejeski, another newcomer, struck a crossing ball that found Ehrhardt in front of the goal. She headed the ball unto the upper left corner of the goal.

Seattle bounced back five minutes later, scoring off a set piece. A corner kick from Justi Baumgardt-Yamada, a former University of Portland player, reached the front of the net where Seattle’s Erin Redwine outjumped a group of players to head the ball past Force keeper Elizabeth Ruiz.

Force Coach Craig Deacon said it rained throughout the match, and the pitch was “very spongy and wet, which made it very difficult. We haven’t practiced in anything like that.”

Deacon credited Ruiz for “coming up big in the last five minutes” to preserve the tie. Ruiz was credited for 10 saves in the match. Officially, Seattle placed 12 shots on goal to just two for the Force.

Next: Seattle and Vancouver come to Colorado next weekend to help the Force open the home season. Seattle visits Loveland Sports Park at 7 p.m. Friday. The Force then get a return match with Vancouver at 7 p.m. Sunday.

When did Colorado Rush decide to field a W-League team?

We confirmed our intentions to the league in November 2009.

Why?

It is important to us that we have a full-range club and complete pyramid. Our W-League team currently represents the top of the pyramid for all of Rush Soccer (representing almost 40,000 players worldwide). We also believe on a local level that this is an excellent move for our youngest youth players to encourage them to emulate great players and for our elite senior youth athletes that this, playing for our W-League team, is a goal for them to aspire to achieve as well as being a wonderful outlet for them to utilize their talents potentially. We also have numerous elite players at college programs throughout the country as well as college graduates who are continuing to strive toward playing the game at the highest level.

Who is the chief talent scout?

This is a collective effort between our directors of coaching.

What were/are you looking for in players?

Character and talent.

OK, so you have an idea of the profile of a player for the Colorado Rush W-League team. How do you find that player?

We have helped develop many such players. Therefore we look in house first. We look at Rush players. We then utilize the many player and coaching connections that we have been fortunate enough to develop over the years.

How do you approach these players? What’s the benefit for them?

The initial core of the team is made up of the ’89-90 group that was two-time national champions. Beyond that we are contacting players and college coaches from around the country. The benefits? Quality training in a competitive, driven and educational environment. We want to provide an opportunity for players to win at a very meaningful level while at the same time helping them to develop into the very best players they can become.

Do you have a roster yet?

Not a complete roster, no. We are building as we speak.

Where will your games be?

We are close to confirming this, but for now I must say TBD.

What goes into choosing a home site?

Much is going into this … location for our membership, quality pitch to encourage quality soccer and the ability to put on a good show, to provide quality entertainment.

Are you reaching out to players who were with Real Colorado last season?

Yes.