The Washington Spirit played Denver Summit to a scoreless draw in front of an NWSL record 63,004 fans. Sandy MacIver recorded another clean sheet after a hard-fought point was earned on the road.
The Spirit came out in a 4-4-2 Diamond, with Trinity Rodman and Sofia Cantore up top, with Leicy Santos sitting just behind. Deb Abiodun and Hal Hershfelt sat wide with Rebeca Bernal anchoring the central defensive midfield. The backline featured Kate Weisner, Tara Rudd, Esme Morgan, and Lucia Di Guglielmo.
The summit saw its first threat on goal in the 22nd minute. Yazmeen Ryan played a quick 1-2 around Lucia Di Guglielmo in the Spirit’s defensive third and penetrated the box. Coming in at an angle, her low shot crossed the face of goal and narrowly missed the post, going out of bounds for a goal kick.
Ally Brazier looked prime for goal on a breakaway in the 90th minute. Her last touch was too hard and closed her angle, with her shot easily saved by goalkeeper Sandy MacIver.
Hal Hershfelt looked to take the lead from distance in stoppage time, but her attempt sailed over the post, ending the match nil-nil.
“Even though it’s an expansion team, they’re a great team. I have a lot of respect [for them],” said Spirit head coach Adrián González. “We need to learn and be proud of the effort today.”
Rodman was substituted in the second half for Gift Monday, but González confirmed it was a precaution. “[Trinity] She’s played a lot of minutes this week, and for her, they aren’t ordinary minutes,” he stated. “She needed a break.”
The Spirit will finally get a break after playing three matches this week (Sunday, Wednesday, and today). On Sunday, April 5, they’ll travel back to the West Coast and take on Bay FC at PayPal Park in San Jose, California.
-Jon Jones
Photo: Courtesy of Washington Spirit