A fatigued Washington Spirit struck early with a brace from Sofia Cantore, but it took a second half rally for them to defeat Orlando Pride in Orlando this evening. The match, occurring less than three days after their last win, puts the Spirit’s winning streak at four matches and undefeated at seven. In addition to Cantore’s goals, Claudia Martínez and Trinity Rodman scored one each, while Barbra Banda scored both of the Pride’s.

The game started over an hour and a half late after a weather delay, and the Spirit seemed to come out a little more prepared, finding their first goal in the second minute. The play started with an interception by Hal Hershfelt, who made the first of a series of short passes among the team, before Rodman, spotting an opportunity, scooped the ball behind Orlando’s back line. Cantore beat the defenders to it and took a shot from just outside the box.

Orlando nearly equalized a moment later, when Barbra Banda made a cross to an open Solai Washington, but Sandy MacIver saved the shot at the near post. On the rebound, Leicy Santos brought the ball up the field to Rodman, who passed to an unmarked Cantore along the right side. The Italian striker moved into the box and around the keeper for her second goal.

After the goals, though, Washington’s tired legs began to show. They were having difficulty connecting passes, looking rushed and often relying on long balls overhead, and not winning the second and third balls that helped them control recent matches. The Pride outshot them and ultimately turned the tide of the half.

Orlando was awarded a penalty kick after Esme Morgan kicked Banda in the box, going for the ball. MacIver saved Ally Lemos’s penalty kick — one of seven saves on the night — but Banda scored on the resulting corner, using a pin-and-spin move to score after the ball was headed down in the box.

Banda equalized in the 39th minute. On a low cross into the box, she got in front of Morgan and rocketed the ball in past MacIver at the near post.

At halftime, Adrián González subbed on Andi Sullivan and Kate Wiesner, tasked with helping the team to play more compact in midfield — forcing Orlando and Banda in particular to play wide — and to show more patience on the ball. The effect was immediate, giving the Spirit control of the next 30 minutes.

For their third goal, Washington struck on transition again. On a clearance by MacIver, Cantore won the ball and headed it down to Santos. Santos’s one-touch pass allowed Martínez to get behind Orlando’s defense and go on a run. In the box, she dribbled centrally and shot around Anna Moorhouse, putting the Spirit ahead once again.

Rodman had a few opportunities over the next 15 minutes, clearly hungry for a goal, but she wouldn’t score until the 70th minute. Rebeca Bernal made a long pass to unleash Rose Kouassi along the right side. Once in the box, Kouassi made a bouncing pass toward Rodman, who directed it rightward into the net with the side of her foot.

After Rodman’s goal, momentum shifted toward Orlando, while Washington mostly tried to see out the game safely. They did have some chance, including a shot by Gift Monday that was saved in the 86th minute but largely weathered the storm of Pride attacks to get the win.

“This is more than three points,” González said, referring to the short turnaround time and travel since the Spirit’s last match on Wednesday. “I’m so proud of this team. I think they’ve done amazing. It’s not easy to overcome a situation like this.”

Up next: Washington get a full week off before flying to Seattle to face the Reign on Sunday, May 10.

Three takeaways 

• The two-million dollar woman. After she signed a record-breaking contract in the offseason, criticism was bound to come for Trinity Rodman. As she went goalless in her first few matches, some questioned whether she was “worth” the salary Washington paid to keep her. Of course, those doubters had to ignore strong underlying numbers and several close chances to both score and assist. Recent games have confirmed that yes, she’s worth every penny. Across three matches, she’s scored three and assisted three and has clearly regained the confidence and joy on the field that make her so fun to watch.
• Internationals setting records. Over the last few years, the Spirit have invested heavily in recruiting international talent. It’s paid off for the team: just tonight, international players scored three of four goals and made two assists. It’s also resulted in a lot of firsts for the league. Last week, the first brace by a Colombian player (Santos) and first goal by a Paraguayan (Martínez). This week, the first brace by an Italian player, which was also the quickest brace in NWSL history.
• One streak ended. Though the game was full of positives, it did end Washington’s shut-out streak, in place since their scoreless draw against Denver Summit on March 28. The defense still performed well, particularly in the second half, and captain Tara Rudd had positive words for her position group. “Everyone’s just really stepping up in the moments that we need them,” she said. “I’m really happy with this group and what we were able to accomplish this week.”

Box Score

NWSL Regular Season –  Game 8

Orlando Pride 2 (Banda 34′, 39′)
Washington Spirit 4 (Cantore 2′, 6′, Martínez 55′, Rodman 70′)

Lineups

Orlando Pride (4231): Anna Moorhouse; Cori Dyke, Rafaelle, Hailie Mace, Oihane Hernández (Nicole Payne 66′); Alli Lemos (Seven Castain 79′), Angelina (Luana 75′), Haley McCutcheon; Solai Washington (Julie Doyle 66′), Barbra Banda, Summer Yates (Simone Jackson 66′)

Washington Spirit (4231): Sandy MacIver; Tara Rudd (C), Lucia Di Guglielmo, Gabby Carle (Kate Wiesner 46′), Esme Morgan; Rebeca Bernal, Hal Hershfelt (Andi Sullivan 46′), Leicy Santos; Trinity Rodman (Gift Monday 81′), Claudia Martínez (Élisabeth Tsé 72), Sofia Cantore (Rose Kouassi 59′)

Misconduct Summary

Orlando Pride:  none

Washington Spirit:  Di Guglielmo 19′, Morgan 78′, MacIver 82′