The Washington Spirit defeated the top-ranked Orlando Pride 1-0 on Saturday night in the club’s first regular-season win at Orlando since October 2019. Forward Gift Monday scored the match winner in her first NWSL start, as goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury led the defense to its third consecutive clean sheet. With a 4-1-0 record, the Spirit sits just three points away from first place in the NWSL table.
The Spirit meant business, shifting from three defenders in the back to a standard 4-3-3 formation. Rebeca Bernal was shifted to the midfield with Heather Stainbrook and Narumi Miura. Courtney Brown started on the left wing while Gift Monday held down the right. NWSL goalscoring leader Ashley Hatch started at striker.
Orlando came close to breaking the scoreline in the 21st minute. The Pride looked to take advantage on a counterattack and shifted play to Kerry Abello, who sat unmarked in acres of space. She dribbled the ball a good 20 yards before cutting inward just outside the 18. She took a shot to the far side of goal, but Aubrey Kingsbury was there to make the diving save.
The Pride was stretching the visitors all over the pitch, shifting play to opposite sides seamlessly. It caused problems for the Spirit in defense, and it was no surprise Orlando ended the match with 62% possession.
In the 30th minute, the Spirit saw their first real chance at a goal. After Narumi Miura recovered the ball off a turnover, the Spirit tried to make something happen, even with sloppy play inside the box. After recovering the ball just outside the 18, the ball bounced around between both teams before Ashley Hatch sent a left-footed effort over the bar.
Orlando continued to push the Spirit defense and apply pressure. Not long after a Barbara Banda miss, the Pride went back downfield to try their hand at goal. Marta sent a pass to Angelina in center field, who then sent a lob into the box to Haley McCutcheon. McCutcheon bested her defender, but her flick-on went wide of the post.
The 62nd minute is when a singular moment decided the match. A moment where one errant choice shifted momentum to the visitors. Orlando’s Emily Sams passed the ball back to goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse with the Spirit pressing high. Feeling the presence of a defender, Moorhouse dribbled the ball out and attempted to cut back. When she did, Gift Monday took possession of the ball and fired on an open net, breaking the deadlock.
The Orlando Pride dominated the Washington Spirit in shots (20-9) and shots on target (6-2), but couldn’t find the back of the net. The shocking home loss breaks the Pride’s 22-match home unbeaten streak.
The Washington Spirit will return home and get ready to face Gotham FC on Saturday, April 26, at 1:00 PM at Audi Field.
-Jon Jones
Photos: Courtesy of the Spirit