Bai Jie fights for the ball against a Carolina Courage player on May 19. - Grant Halverson

Washington, D.C., July 16 -- Gao Hong may not want to see her Chinese national team teammate Bai Jie anytime soon given the way she has been playing. Bai, a Washington Freedom midfielder, has been a terror in the last two games against Gao’s New York Power – scoring three goals in their previous two encounters, including the game winner in the late stages of Sunday’s 2-1 Freedom victory.

When asked why she scores so many goals against New York, Bai, somewhat shy and reserved, simply responded, “I don’t know.”

Whatever the reason is, Bai has become a Power killer in a pair of 2- 1 Freedom victories, including two goals in a win on May 27 at New York.

Gao, considered one of the world’s best goaltenders, faced two strong second half scoring chances against Bai Sunday, both with the scored tied at one. In the 62nd minute, Mia Hamm, from the top of the penalty box, sent a chip pass to Bai in the left corner of the goalmouth. But Gao made a quick decision and smothered the ball before Bai could get to it, tackling the swift-footed Bai in the process.

Hamm -- who has, at times has struggled to create scoring opportunities for herself -- has become more of a playmaker in recent weeks. Her header goal in Sunday’s match was the first of the year that was not on a set piece. Hamm’s near assist to Bai was one of many great passes she made to teammates during the day.

“Mia Hamm is one person on the U.S. national team that understands the game the most,” Gao said through an interpreter. “It’s not strange for her to play well with Bai Jie. Not all the U.S. national team players can play with foreign teammates (on their club teams) the way Hamm does.”

Bai’s game-winning goal occurred in the 80th minute when both teams were exchanging blows at a furious pace. Pretinha, a first half substitute, from the top of the penalty box, crossed the ball to Bai on the left. The right-footed Bai dribbled in and sent a rocket with her left foot from a tight angle from eight yards out that beat a sprawling Gao to the right corner.

For Bai, Sunday’s win was redemption for her struggles as of late, which were partly due to an injured thumb. A week ago Bai, while slicing vegetables, cut her left thumb severely. She has been nursing the thumb ever since and has been tentative on the field.

“I had been distracted by the thumb. It took four stitches,” said Bai through an interpreter.

Gao, who has kept in contact with Bai, and said, “I know she has had to endure through a lot of pain. But she was still able to score the game-winning goal. It’s a tribute to her competitive nature.”

Although Gao and Bai are teammates on the Chinese national team, playing against each other is nothing new. Gao played for the Guangdong club team and Bai for the Guangzhou Army Team before joining the WUSA this spring.

“There is no rivalry between us,” Gao said. “Back in China she played as a defender but now here in the U.S. she grabbed the chance to score goals as a midfielder.”

Bai and Gao will meet again on Aug. 11 at RFK Stadium in the final game of the season for each club. And with the Power and Freedom in the thick of the playoff race, the season looks destined to come down to the wire. And the two Chinese internationals will figure largely in the fortunes of their clubs.

© womenssoccer.com 2001