Welcome to matchday-2 of the Washington Spirit’s 2023 NWSL season! After last week’s shock 1-0 defeat of OL Reign, last year’s NWSL Shield winners, Washington is looking to go 2-0-0 to begin Mark Parsons’ second tenure as Spirit coach.
Though the Spirit secured a hard fought win, after the match Parsons was adamant that the manner in which they got the win was not indicative of how he wants the team to play. The Spirit posted some pretty putrid passing numbers, completing just 56% of their attempts, but can be forgiven since the primary task of winning on opening day was accomplished.
But Parsons, his players and supporters are eager to see what the team’s new style looks like in action, against live competition. While Parsons said it may take 5-10 games for it to take hold, we’re hoping the team can show glimpses of their new identity versus a team not as well-drilled as OL Reign.
Television: NBC Sports Washington (local only)
Streaming: Paramount+ (U.S.) & NWSLsoccer.com or DAZN Football (int’l)
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The Spirit’s opening day lineup included some surprises with Tara McKeown starting her first game as a center back and undrafted rookie Paige Metayer lining up in midfield with Andi Sullivan and Ashley Sanchez. That lineup might start becoming familiar as the Spirit are unchanged from opening weekend!
Racing Louisville (433): Lund; Pickett, Erceg, Holloway, Milliet; Borges, Pukkujämsä, DeMelo; McDonald, Kanu, Shuang
Washington Spirit (4132): Kingsbury; Carle, Staab, McKeown, Bailey; Sullivan; Feist, Sanchez, Metayer; Hatch, Rodman
Spirit 1-0 halfway through the first half off a first goal from Hatch. This should be a comfortable win, Louisville don’t have a ton to recommend themselves in terms of quality, they’ve attacked a little, but Spirit have been solid enough.
Hatch gets her second as Louisville caught forward chasing a long ball, simple header from a center back is flicked forward a bit by a midfielder to Rodman, who gets the assist after a few touches off a long cross.
Hope the concussion protocol for the Louisville forward is alright, gotta say that, in terms of game state, the seas are parting for The Spirit, despite losing some momentum toward the end of the half. Louisville lose their best attacking threat, and we’re 2-0 up.
Stop the presses, almost immediately in the second half, Louisville win a free header in the box of a big jump, 2-1. Come on, Spirit
Shit, golazo from Louisville, upper 99 in the far corner from just inside of he box, hot damn, 2-2
Spirit player, Metayer, gets a second yellow, justifiably so, in stoppage time. Spirit with ten players, hope they can at least get the draw
2-2 draw. I’d like to say it was unfortunate, and there was certainly a bit of fortune on Louisville’s side, but 💯 not solid enough from Spirit for a long stretch in the second and not enough clear attacking opportunities, either. Rest defense will have to be worked on.