The Washington Spirit and the Orlando Pride entered the match looking to stay alive in the group stage, the Spirit needs help from multiple teams on top of a win in this clash to make the knockout stage. Orlando would need a miracle beyond some help.
Ashley Hatch passes teammate Ashley Sanchez for most appearances in the Challenge Cup for the Spirit. Chloe Ricketts will look to build on her success in finding the goal during her last match versus Gotham FC. It will also be the first time Jordan Thompson would start in any NWSL competition.
The first half of the match saw the two teams going back and forth at each other, neither team could find a true edge over the other. The midfield and defensive play stood out from both sides. Julie Doyle was kept off the score sheet in the first half an improvement from the match-up on July 1, 2023. Julie scored two goals in the first 16′ of the match.
The second half saw substitutes from both sides who made an impact, but the only goal of the match came in the 90’+8′ when Mariana Speckmaier unleashed a shot from outside the top left corner of the box. It was her first career goal across all competitions in the NWSL.
The win was Spirit goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart’s 56th career clean sheet across all competitions, stopping all seven shots she faced.
The Spirit moves into second place (9 points) ahead of Gotham FC (7 points) who has two matches remaining in the competition due to the Canadian Wildfires and severe weather that plagued the east coast this summer. Gotham FC will face the red-hot NC Courage and the Orlando Pride for their last two games.
Even if this is the final Challenge Cup game for Washington, they’re having an amazing season under Mark Parson’s leadership.
Aug 4, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Washington Spirit celebrates their goal during the second half Orlando Pride at Exploria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports Aug 4, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Washington Spirit forward Mariana Speckmaier (36) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second half against the Orlando Pride at Exploria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports Aug 4, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Washington Spirit celebrates after their win against Orlando Pride at Exploria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports Aug 4, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Washington Spirit forward Mariana Speckmaier (36) reacts while holding the ball after the game against Orlando Pride with teammates at Exploria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports Aug 4, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; A general view of the field before the game between Washington Spirit and Orlando Pride at Exploria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports Aug 4, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Pride forward Messiah Bright (23) warms up before the game against Washington Spirit at Exploria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports Aug 4, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Washington Spirit forward Ashley Hatch (33) enters the field along side the Mastercard kids before the game against Orlando Pride at Exploria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports Aug 4, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; The Washington Spirit team stands for the National Anthem alongside the Mastercard kids before the game against the Orlando Pride at Exploria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports Aug 4, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Washington Spirit defender Camryn Biegalski (30) races with the ball during the second half against the Orlando Pride at Exploria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports Aug 4, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Pride defender Kerry Abello (25) and Washington Spirit defender Camryn Biegalski (30) battle for the ball during the first half at Exploria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports Aug 4, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Washington Spirit forward Ashley Hatch (33) goes for the ball against the Orlando Pride during the second half at Exploria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports Aug 4, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Washington Spirit goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart (28) makes a save against the Orlando Pride in the second half at Exploria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports Jul 1, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit forward Ashley Hatch (33) heads the ball during the second half against the Orlando Pride at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports Jul 1, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit midfielder Chloe Ricketts (39) looks to pass the ball as Orlando Pride midfielder Viviana Villacorta (14) defends during the second half at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports Jul 1, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit midfielder Chloe Ricketts (39) and Orlando Pride midfielder Viviana Villacorta (14) battle for the ball during the second half at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports Jul 1, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Young fans pose with Washington Spirit midfielder Chloe Ricketts (39) after the game against Orlando Pride at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports Jul 1, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart (28) signs a young fans shirt after the game against Orlando Pride at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports Jul 1, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; The Washington Spirit and Orlando Pride teammates high-five after the game at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports Jul 1, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart (28) signs a young fans shirt after the game against Orlando Pride at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
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