Washington Spirit advanced to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) championship game with a 2-1 win Sunday over OL Reign in Tacoma, Wa. Other than two COVID-related forfeits, Spirit has now won 10 consecutive games on the field.
OL Reign, playing on their home field, got on the board first in the 3rd minute of the game on Eugenie Le Sommer goal. Nine minutes later, Spirit forward Trinity Rodman, the 19-year old daughter of basketball Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman, beat two Reign defenders and tied it up at 1-1.
The game was still tied 1-1 until the 68th minute when Ashley Sanchez scored off her own rebound after a corner kick to give Spirit the 2-1 lead. Spirit held on to win by the same score.
Spirit’s interim head coach Kris Ward and her team have had to overcome a season of turmoil. Former head coach Richie Burke was fired in late September amid allegations of harassment and abuse and CEO and majority team owner Stephen Baldwin was forced to sell his stake in the team.
Washington will play the winner of Portland and Chicago for the NWSL championship next Saturday, Nov. 20 in Louisville.
GOING TO LOUISVILLE pic.twitter.com/aaHp6JCBYe
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) November 14, 2021
WINNING SPIRIT 🥳 pic.twitter.com/qUy8whdC0y
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 14, 2021
pt. 2 because these are 👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/GY661XIa95
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) November 14, 2021
