The Washington Spirit hosted Seattle Reign on a perfect fall day in Washington, D.C.’s Audi Field. 12,668 fans were on hand to watch the Spirit defeat the Reign 1-0. Trinity Rodman scored twice, with assists coming from Croix Bethune and Leicy Santos, and Aubrey Kingsbury earned a clean sheet. Today was also Deb Abiodun’s first start, and she played all 90 minutes.
The Spirit starting XI looked like this: GK Aubrey Kingsbury (c), D Tara McKeown, D Gabby Carle, D Esme Morgan, D Paige Metayer, M Leicy Santos, M Hal Hershfelt, M Deb Abiodun, F Trinity Rodman, F Kate Wiesner, F Sofia Cantore.
Seattle Reign’s starting XI consisted of: GK Claudia Dickey, D Sofia Huerta, D Phoebe McClernon, D Lauren Barnes (c), D Madison Curry, D Jordyn Bugg, M Sam Meza, M Jessica Fishlock, F Maddie Dahlien, F Emeri Adames, F Jordyn Huitema.
Jordyn Huitema saw a chance early in the match in the 5th minute. On a counterattack, a cross came in from the right side and found Huitema with the slightest of space. She redirected the ball with a header, but the attempt went wide of the post.
The Spirit’s first chance of the half came in the 13th minute. Trinity Rodman beat her defenders down the right side and immediately looked to the box. A quick low pass found its way to Leicy Santos, who one-timed a shot over the bar.
The Spirit broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute with a goal from Trinity Rodman. Leicy Santos was just outside the 18-yard box when she stood over the ball, scanned the area, and lofted the ball over the backline. With a pacing Rodman in pursuit on the far side, she timed her run just right and poked the ball past the keeper with power behind it.
Aubrey Kingsbury had her first serious test come in the 54th minute. Seattle Reign’s Maddie Dahlien took a shot on target from about 10 yards out, forcing Kingsbury to make the diving save.
Lauren Barnes connected with Jordyn Huitema again for a header, but Kingsbury was there for the point-blank range save. The Reign were sending in crosses from every direction to try and reach Huitema, and every header she connected with, Kingsbury was there. With more dynamic attackers like Mia Fishel and Nérilia Mondésir on the bench, the Reign wasted entirely too much time trying to be a threat in the air (They were both subbed on with less than 10 minutes left in the match).
Trinity Rodman put the final nail in the coffin in the 81st minute. Croix Bethune had possession down the right side and held up play. She saw Rodman in the center and quickly passed the ball. Once the ball reached the feet of Rodman, she nailed another one-timed shot and directed it straight at goalkeeper Claudia Dickey. The shot had too much power behind it and sailed past Dickey, earning Rodman a brace for the evening.
One of the bright spots for the Reign was second-year player Jordyn Bugg. The defender was flying all over the pitch, chasing balls and tackling attackers. The team’s attack was lacking, but their defense was solid for the most part.
“It was a rough one. I think the effort was there, but the game plan wasn’t clicking for all of us,” Bugg stated on what went wrong for them this evening. “I think toward the end of the game, we went to a four-back. That helped with getting pressure on the ball. Dealing with them, we were working well together on the back line, so that helped.”
“I feel great!” said Croix Bethune after the match. The midfielder assisted one of Trinity’s goals today, helping push the Spirit past the Reign. “It was a great performance and I feel we played really well.”
The Spirit will enjoy their win and prepare for next week’s big match against the top-ranked KC Current. The Current is 14 points clear of the Spirit, solidifying a strong case for this year’s NWSL Shield (the award given to the club with the best record in the league).
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-Jon Jones
Photo: Eyoel Fassil