Washington Spirit remain undefeated in road games this season, winning their second against Racing Louisville FC this evening. Leicy Santos and Ashley Hatch scored for the Spirit, who also held the home team scoreless.

Still nagged by injury, the Spirit starting lineup included three players getting their first start of the season: Courtney Brown, Brittany Ratcliffe, and Heather Stainbrook. Many of the team’s international players seemed to be on managed minutes in their first game back, which Spirit coach Jonatan Giráldez attributed to their need for rest after a week of international friendlies.

The first half was scoreless, with both teams struggling to stay organized on the attack. Washington dominated possession, 69 percent to 31, and took four shots to Louisville’s two, but they were frequently unable to connect passes in the final third. Their best chances of the half were shots by Hatch — one from outside the box and one in front of goal — that went off-frame.

The Spirit infused some energy into their attack with three half-time substitutions to get Trinity Rodman, Santos, and Gift Monday onto the pitch. Those subs made their impact felt quickly, increasing the pace of play and creating more chances for their team.

Driving straight at Racing’s back line, Ratcliffe drew a foul just outside the box in the 56th minute. This is the kind of chance where Leicy Santos thrives. Her free kick was aimed perfectly, curving into the top corner of the net to put Washington ahead. The goal was the second time this year that Santos has scored on a free kick. The first was an equalizer against Orlando Pride that spurred the Spirit to win the Challenge Cup.

Washington stayed on the attack, and about 15 minutes later they found their second goal. Katie Lund stretched to save a shot on target by Rodman but she could only hit it a few yards away from the goal, where Ratcliffe easily collected it. She passed back to the top of the box for Esme Morgan, who floated in a pass to Hatch’s head. Despite some contact from a Louisville defender, Hatch flicked the ball behind her and into the near corner of the goal.

Describing her goal after the game, Hatch credited Morgan’s assist, adding, “I just had to help it on.”

Racing saw more chances toward the end of the match, giving Giráldez his only point of criticism for the team. The players need to have more patience and maintain possession to close out matches, Giráldez said, but Louisville’s failure to capitalize on their chances meant the Spirit fairly easily kept a clean sheet.

Washington play away again next weekend, traveling to Orlando to face the Pride on Saturday, April 19.

Three takeaways 

• Injuries continue. Washington’s availability report still shows 10 players unable to play due to injury, the same number unavailable for their first match on March 14. The team has done well to adapt and succeed despite those absences, but the plain fact of this many injuries is troubling.
• Bernal in midfield. Rebeca Bernal stepped into a defensive midfield role this match, after playing the last two as part of a three-back. She was equally effective in that role, picking out clever passes to move the ball through the midfield while continuing to provide solid defense. If the NWSL had a Newcomer of the Year award, she’d be a clear favorite.
• Hatch’s hot streak. Tonight’s headed goal was Hatch’s third in the past two matches, but it was also her 50th goal for the Spirit and 57th overall, putting her on pace to move into fourth place for all-time leading goalscorers. As of time of publication, she’s also leading the (very early) Golden Boot race, though Temwa Chawinga — one behind her with three goals on the season — will have a chance to tie or pass Hatch later tonight.

Box Score

NWSL Regular Season –  Game 4

Racing Louisville FC 0

Washington Spirit 2 (Santos 57′, Hatch 74′)

Lineups

Racing Louisville FC (433): Katie Lund; Lauren Milliet, Arin Wright (C), Ella Hase, Courtney Petersen; Ary Borges, Taylor Flint, Katie O’Kane (Marisa DiGrande 61′); Kayla Fischer, Sarah Weber (Janine Sonis 66′), Emma Sears (Uchenna Kanu 85′)

Washington Spirit (4231): Aubrey Kingsbury (C); Makenna Morris, Tara McKeown, Gabby Carle (Gift Monday 46′), Esme Morgan; Rebeca Bernal, Narumi Miura (Kysha Sylla 79′), Heather Stainbrook (Leicy Santos 46′); Brittany Ratcliffe (Chloe Ricketts 87′), Courtney Brown (Trinity Rodman 46′), Ashley Hatch

Misconduct Summary

Racing Louisville FC:  None

Washington Spirit:  None

Lead image courtesy of the Washington Spirit