Another weekend, another Spirit home game against an expansion team. Fresh off their first win of the season, Washington Spirit (1-0-1, W-D-L) prepare to play Utah Royals (1-0-1) this afternoon at Audi Field.

The Royals are one of two new expansion teams this year, rejoining the league after the last iteration of the team shut down in 2020 and moved players to Kansas City due to ownership issues. Re-founded in 2023, the Royals are now led by coach (and former captain) Amy Rodriguez in her first head coaching role. In their first two matches, Utah have played a low-possession game, relying on counter-attacks to create chances.

They’ll present a new challenge for the Spirit, who defeated high-possession, high-pressing Bay FC last week. Yet Washington’s interim head coach Adrián González said his team was preparing for the match in the same way as for previous ones and continuing to improve on their planned style of play.

“As always, we are just focusing on us, so we know how to attack different situations and also how to defend different situations,” González said. “I think we are ready to avoid that counter-attack.”

Key Player: Croix Bethune

Rookie midfielder Croix Bethune had a big match last weekend. Not only did she score her first professional goal, but Bethune also showed her centrality to the new Spirit attack, floating around the field to grab seemingly impossible passes and connecting with fellow attackers for 5 shots and 7 shot-creating actions. Keeping her on the ball and involved in the build-up will be essential to a Spirit victory tonight and to their success throughout the season.

Watch Out For: Ally Sentnor

Selected by Utah as the first overall pick of the 2024 NWSL Draft, Ally Sentnor has played every minute of the season so far on Utah’s left wing. Like Bethune, she scored her first professional goal last week, and she is tied on her team for most shots on target and most shot creating actions.

Challenges: While their offense was superior last week, the Spirit’s defense showed holes, and they were lucky not to allow at least one more goal from Bay FC. Their challenge today will be to be more vigilant to opposing players running in behind while maintaining the high back line their play style calls for.

Previously: This is the first meeting between these teams.

Washington Spirit Availability:

Out: Civana Kuhlmann (SEI – knee), Makenna Morris (hip), Katie Wiesner (thigh)

Questionable: Ashley Hatch (hip)

Utah Royals Availability:

Out: Zoe Burns (hip), Cristina Roque (hand), Imani Dorsey (achilles)

Questionable: none

Location: Audi Field, Washington, DC

Kickoff time: 1 p.m. ET

Referee: Nabil Bensalah

Available TV: Monumental Sports Network

Available streaming: NWSL+