Spirit snapped a two-game losing streak with a thrilling win in Chicago

The Washington Spirit wanted to return to winning ways Saturday afternoon in Bridgeview, Ill, against the Chicago Stars. They had suffered back-to-back losses at home against Gotham FC and Angel City FC. 

The Spirit bounced back and got a much-needed road win, beating Chicago 3-2. The Spirit have started strong, playing on the road this season and have become the second team ever in NWSL history to win their first four games on the road to start the season. 

Spirit players celebrating Gift Monday's game winning goal. Photo Credit: Washington Spirit

The Game

The Spirit got the first clear chance at goal in the opening seconds of the game as Rebeca Bernal tested Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher from distance. The former USWNT goalkeeper got a hand to it and sent the ball out of bounds for a Spirit corner kick. 

The Spirit would take the lead in the 30th minute. Rosemounde Kouassi picked up a loose ball deep in Chicago’s end. Kouassi sent a cross into the box that Stars defender Ally Schlegal attempted to clear out, but her clearance would result in going in the back of the net, giving Washington the advantage. 

Chicago tied the game in the 36th minute. Maitane played a pass to Camryn Biegalski. Biegalski played a through ball out wide to Julia Grosso. The Canadian international picked up the ball at the edge of the box, with Narumi Miura giving chase. Grosso cut inside of the box and got a shot towards the right angle of the net, beating Aubrey Kingsbury, who got a hand to it, but was not able to prevent the ball crossing the goal line and tie the game. 

Washington regained the lead four minutes before halftime. Kouassi played the ball to Ashley Hatch, who had her back to the goal. Hatch carried the ball and passed it to Tara McKeown, who placed a perfectly placed cross to Kouassi, who was running into the box. Kouassi placed the ball in the net with a touch past Naeher to score her first goal in NWSL. 

Chicago would tie the game once more in the 53rd minute, after Grosso gave the ball to Ludmila. The Brazilian international played the ball inside the box looking for Schlegal, but Kingsbury intercepted the opportunity, but her clearance did not leave the box, and the rebound was taken advantage of by former Spirit defender Sam Staab who placed the rebound in the back of the net to tie the game. 

The Spirit would find the game winner in the 82nd minute. Kouassi was able to beat the mark of a Stars defender and race down the endline into the box, sending a low cross to Gift Monday was able to get to the ball before a diving Naeher and place the ball inside the net to give the Spirit all three points. 

With this result, the Spirit moves up to third place in the standings with 15 points, while Chicago sits bottom of the standings with 4 points. 

The Spirit will now go back to Audi Field as they host Utah Royals FC, Saturday, May 15th, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 pm.