Recap: The Spirit gets revenge against Seattle Reign FC off a three-goal first-half

Washington, D.C. (05/24/2024) – The Spirit took home an electric 3-2 win against Seattle Reign FC. During Pitchside Pups night, presented by PEDIGREE®, Spirit fans – 11,551 strong – and their loyal companions helped keep the energy roaring at Audi Field.

The Spirit started the game off strong as Croix Bethune dribbled the ball through the final third, weaving through defenders, and scoring a goal in the 21st minute. In the last 16 games in which the Spirit scores first, the team has won. Following a stat correction earlier this week, the goal marked Bethune’s fourth of the season. Bethune’s goal during the Racing Louisville FC game on May 10 was revoked and converted to an assist.

Goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury recorded her 450th career save in the 29th minute, becoming the seventh player in NWSL history to accomplish this achievement. Despite conceding two goals in this match, Kingsbury played a remarkable game, with several diving saves and key clearances throughout the match.

Soon after, Trinity Rodman drew defenders into the Seattle box, resulting in a yellow card on the Seattle keeper, and leading to an Andi Sullivan penalty kick goal in the 39th minute. The Spirit has connected on its last 11 penalties dating back to 2022. Tonight’s PK was the team’s third penalty kick of the year, with Sullivan taking – and making – two of them.

It didn’t take long for the Spirit to score again with Ouleye Sarr heading the ball into the goal off of a cross from Bethune in the 45th minute. Sarr’s goal, her sixth this season, marked the third straight match in which she has scored. Six goals puts Sarr at third in the NWSL Golden Boot race behind MVP candidates Sophia Smith (POR) and Barbra Banda (ORL).

The assist to Sarr’s goal was record-breaking: Bethune’s eight assists in 11 matches marks the quickest a player has reached eight assists in NWSL history. Also, tonight became the first game in which Bethune logged a goal and an assist in the same match.

The Reign dampened the Spirit’s dominating half with a goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Despite this, the Spirit’s three goals in the first half brings the team’s tally to 16 first-half goals on the year, the most of any team in the NWSL.

The physical nature between the teams didn’t let up in the second half, but the Spirit continued to play with precision and quickness. The back and forth continued through the final minutes of the match. Though, Seattle’s Emerie Adames managed to secure a goal in the sixth minute of second half stoppage time, bringing the deficit to one.

Ultimately, the Spirit prevailed, putting the team in second on the NWSL table as of Friday night with 24 points (8-3-0). The match marked the tenth straight with a goal and the eighth time this year the Spirit has scored multiple goals.

Next up, the Spirit hits the road again, heading to Salt Lake to play Utah Royals FC on Saturday, June 8.

-NWSL Match Report- 

Match: Washington Spirit vs. Seattle Reign FC  

Date: Friday, May 24, 2024 

Venue: Audi Field (Washington, D.C.) 

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. EDT  

Weather: Sunny, mid-70s 

Scoring Summary: 

WAS – Croix Bethune – 21′ (Unassisted) 

WAS – Andi Sullivan – 39′ (PK) 

WAS – Ouleye Sarr – 45′ (assisted by Croix Bethune) 

SEA – Veronica Latsko – 45+5’ (assisted by Phoebe McClernon) 

SEA – Emeri Adames – 90+6’ (assisted by Jess Fishlock) 

Lineups: 

WAS: 1 – Aubrey Kingsbury; 3 – Casey Krueger; 5 – Annaïg Butel; 9 – Tara McKeown; 14 – Gabby Carle; 7 – Croix Bethune (4 – Lena Silano, 85’); 12 – Andi Sullivan; 17 – Hal Hershfelt; 2 – Trinity Rodman (13 – Brittany Ratcliffe, 73’); 6 – Kate Wiesner (16 – Courtney Brown, 67’); 11 – Ouleye Sarr (33 – Ashley Hatch, 73’) 

Unused Substitutes: 28 – Nicole Barnhart; 22 – Heather Stainbrook; 39 – Chloe Ricketts 

SEA: 18 – Laurel Ivory; 21 – Phoebe McClernon (17 – Lily Woodham, 85’); 3 – Lauren Barnes; 4 – Alana Cook; 11 – Sofia Huerta; 23 –Tziarra King (47 – Emeri Adames, 72’); 10 – Jess Fishlock; 6 – Angharad James-Turner (9 – Jordyn Huitema, 60’); 33 – Olivia Van der Jagt (7 – Nikki Stanton, 46’); 24 – Veronica Latsko; 91 – Ji So-Yun (12 – Olivia Athens, 85’) 

Unused Substitutes: 22 – Ryanne Brown; 25 – Shae Holmes; 26 – McKenzie Weinert; 28 – Maia Perez 

Stats Summary: WAS / SEA 

Shots: 10 / 13 

Shots On Goal: 7 / 4 

Saves: 2 / 4 

Tackles Won: 22 / 19 

Fouls: 11/ 15 

Offsides: 2 / 3 

Misconduct Summary: 

SEA – Laurel Ivory – 38’ – Yellow Card 

SEA – Olivia Van der Jagt – 43’ – Yellow Card