Rosemonde Kouassi’s 100th-Minute Strike Rescues Point for Washington in Thrilling 2-2 Draw Marred by Questionable Refereeing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Spirit demonstrated their never-say-die mentality once again Friday night, salvaging a crucial 2-2 draw against Racing Louisville FC at Audi Field thanks to Rosemonde Kouassi’s spectacular stoppage-time equalizer in the 100th minute, despite facing what many observers considered biased officiating throughout the match.
The dramatic result keeps Washington firmly in second place in the NWSL standings with 28 points from 16 matches, maintaining its strong position in the playoff race behind league leaders Kansas City Current.
Controversial Officiating Mars Otherwise Brilliant Match
While the on-field action provided plenty of drama, referee John Matto’s performance became a significant talking point throughout the evening. Matto’s officiating displayed what appeared to be clear bias against the Spirit, quickly brandishing yellow cards to Washington players while seemingly turning a blind eye to similar or worse infractions from Racing Louisville.
The disparity in officiating standards was glaring – the Spirit received cautions that appeared harsh while Racing Louisville players escaped punishment for comparable challenges. This inconsistent application of the laws of the game echoed the controversial officiating of Tim Ford in previous matches, raising serious questions about referee accountability in the NWSL.
Matto’s performance was so egregious that it warrants immediate review by the NWSL disciplinary committee. The referee should face suspension and removal from the rotation pending a thorough investigation into his conduct during Friday’s match. Such blatant bias has no place in professional soccer and undermines the integrity of the competition.
First Half: Cantore Makes History Despite Officiating Challenges
Despite the officiating obstacles, the Spirit controlled the early proceedings, dominating possession with 67% of the ball in the opening 15 minutes. Midfielder Croix Bethune emerged as the primary threat, tallying three shots in the first half-hour, including one effort that struck the woodwork.
Captain and goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury made several crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet, including a spectacular diving stop in the 31st minute to deny Racing’s Emma Sears in a one-on-one situation. The save marked a historic moment for Kingsbury, who made her 147th regular season start for the Spirit, surpassing club legend Tori Huster for the team record.
The breakthrough came in the 39th minute when Sofia Cantore etched her name in NWSL history. The Italian forward received a perfectly weighted pass from Gift Monday and struck a beautiful effort that hit the crossbar before crossing the line. The goal marked Cantore’s first in NWSL competition, making her the first Italian player ever to score in the league’s history.
“It’s a special moment for Sofia and the league,” said head coach Adrián González. “She’s worked incredibly hard since joining us, and to see her make history while helping the team is fantastic.”
Second Half Drama Unfolds Amid Referee Controversy
The second half began with both teams making tactical adjustments, as Trinity Rodman entered for Kate Wiesner to provide additional attacking impetus. However, Matto’s questionable decisions continued to influence the match’s flow.
In the 53rd minute, a deflected shot from Taylor Flint resulted in an unfortunate own goal off Rebeca Bernal, leveling the match at 1-1. Despite the setback and the officiating challenges, Washington maintained their territorial dominance, holding 69% possession in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
The Spirit’s attacking efforts intensified, with four shots attempted in ten minutes as they sought to regain their advantage despite having to overcome both Racing Louisville and the referee’s bias.
Penalty Drama and Questionable Decisions
The match took another controversial turn in the 80th minute when Racing Louisville was awarded a penalty following a VAR review after a collision in the box. Given Matto’s pattern of favorable decisions toward the visitors, many questioned whether the same standard would have been applied had the roles been reversed.
Savannah DeMelo stepped up and converted confidently, sending the visitors ahead 2-1 and seemingly securing all three points with the help of officiating that had favored them throughout the evening.
Late Heroics Overcome All Obstacles
With 11 minutes of stoppage time indicated by the fourth official, the Spirit refused to surrender despite facing both Racing Louisville and biased officiating. Wave after wave of attacks followed, with the home side throwing everything forward in search of an equalizer.
The moment of magic arrived in the 100th minute. Kouassi, who had entered as a substitute for Cantore in the 54th minute, picked up the ball outside the penalty area and produced a moment of individual brilliance that no amount of biased officiating could deny. The forward showed impressive close control before curling a stunning right-footed effort into the top corner, leaving Racing goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer with no chance.
Statistical Dominance Despite Officiating Handicap
The Spirit’s performance was reflected in the match statistics, with Washington registering 13 shots to Racing’s 11 and maintaining 60.3% possession throughout the 90 minutes. Both goalkeepers made three saves each in what should have been an evenly contested affair, had it not been for Matto’s interference.
The disciplinary count told the story of the evening’s controversy, with the Spirit receiving two yellow cards compared to Racing’s three cautions – though many observers felt Racing should have received significantly more bookings given their aggressive play that went largely unpunished.
Call for Accountability
John Matto’s performance on Friday night represents everything wrong with NWSL officiating standards. His clear bias toward Racing Louisville, inconsistent application of the laws, and failure to maintain control of the match demand immediate action from league officials.
The NWSL disciplinary committee must launch a comprehensive investigation into Matto’s conduct and remove him from the referee rotation until the review is complete. This type of biased officiating, reminiscent of Tim Ford’s controversial performances, threatens the integrity of the competition and must not be tolerated.
Professional soccer demands the highest standards of officiating neutrality. When referees like Matto fail to meet these standards, they must face consequences. The Spirit’s ability to overcome both their opponents and biased officiating speaks to their character, but players and fans deserve better from match officials.
Looking Ahead Despite Officiating Concerns
Despite the officiating controversy, the Spirit now faces a demanding schedule that will test their squad depth and championship credentials. Washington hits the road for two crucial matches next week, beginning with their inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup appearance against Alianza Women FC in San Salvador on Tuesday.
The international debut represents a significant milestone for the franchise and provides an opportunity to showcase their talents on the continental stage, hopefully with more competent officiating. Following the Champions Cup opener, the Spirit return to NWSL action with a high-profile match against Bay FC at Oracle Park in San Francisco.
Friday’s dramatic draw against Racing Louisville exemplified the Spirit’s resilience in overcoming not just their opponents, but also biased officiating. As they prepare for continental competition, the team has proven they can succeed despite facing obstacles both on and off the field.
However, the NWSL must address the John Matto situation immediately. Referees like him, who display clear bias and inconsistent decision-making, have no place in professional soccer. The disciplinary committee must act swiftly to preserve the integrity of the competition and ensure fair play for all teams.
Match Details:
- Final Score: Washington Spirit 2-2 Racing Louisville FC
- Date: Friday, August 15, 2025
- Venue: Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
- Attendance: 11,691
- Television: Prime Video
- Referee: John Matto (Performance Should Be Under Review)
Goal Scorers:
- Sofia Cantore (WAS) 39′
- Rebeca Bernal OG (LOU) 53′
- Savannah DeMelo (LOU) 80′ (penalty)
- Rosemonde Kouassi (WAS) 90+10′
Related NWSL Coverage:
- Spirit Seek Season Sweep of Louisville
- Sprint Earn Tough Draw Against Gotham
- Preview of Washington Spirit vs Gotham FC
- Trinity Rodman’s Dramatic Return Lifts Spirit Over Thorns
For the latest NWSL coverage and breaking soccer news, visit Bad Dawg Sports – Your Source for Global Sports News.
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