Washington
Washington Spirit suffer 3-0 loss to Kansas City Current
The Kansas Metropolis Present handed Washington Spirit their largest lack of the season with a 3-0 defeat Sunday night at Kids’s Mercy Park in Kansas Metropolis.
After a strong begin for each groups, Kansas Metropolis dominated the primary half, placing the ball into the again of the web 5 instances — though 2 have been referred to as offside — controlling the tempo of play, and forcing turnovers within the midfield that saved the Spirit on the defensive.
The Present’s first aim got here within the 18th minute when Kate Del Fava despatched an extended ball from the nook of the sphere to Lo’eau LaBonta simply exterior the field. LaBonta’s kick from distance soared into the again of the web, properly over the pinnacle of Kingsbury and the Spirit defenders. LaBonta, the celebration queen of the NWSL and Kansas Metropolis’s main scorer, capped off her aim with a golf putt celebration.
LaBonta’s aim appeared to take the air out of the Spirit’s tires. For the remainder of the half, they struggled to take care of possession or transfer the ball out of their defensive half within the face of Kansas Metropolis’s excessive press. Washington’s solely actual probability that half got here within the 6th minute, when an extended ball from Bailey Feist was deflected into the publish by goalkeeper AD Franch.
After targets by Cece Kizer and Kristen Hamilton have been referred to as offside, the Present lastly received a aim to stay within the thirty eighth minute. Though Washington cleared the kick-in from a nook away from the web, it was simply recaptured by Kansas Metropolis, who served it again into the ready knees of Kizer. Simply moments later, the Present scored once more when Hamilton dribbled the ball via Spirit defenders and tipped it off to Claire Lavogez. Lavogez’s first contact despatched the ball into the far nook of the web, placing her workforce forward by 3.
Firstly of the second half, Trinity Rodman, Ashley Sanchez, and Camryn Biegalski all subbed on, with the workforce making a 4-3-3 formation. This reversion to a extra typical formation and mixture of gamers led to extra possession and management within the second half. Washington was capable of cease the bleeding and maintain Kansas Metropolis to three targets however couldn’t break via the Present’s again line to attain themselves. Their finest probabilities have been photographs from exterior the field, however all went simply broad or have been saved by Franch.
Three takeaways
- Washington’s gamble fail to repay. The Spirit took an opportunity this week each in formation and beginning line-up. The workforce has performed virtually each sport this season in a 4-3-3 formation however started tonight in 3-2-2-3 with numerous typical starters on the bench. Whereas these modifications allowed some Spirit gamers to relaxation of their third sport in 8 days, interim head coach Albertin Montoya stated after the sport that Washington is looking forward to the 2023 season and the way they could rebuild. Sadly, the outcome was the workforce’s solely loss by greater than 1 aim, and solely a second-half change again to the usual formation allowed them to get well.
- No spoilers. In line with Andi Sullivan, the Spirit wished to make use of their potential to impression the NWSL desk to inspire them this match, although they might now not qualify for playoffs themselves. Evidently, it wasn’t motivation sufficient. Successful this match clinched Kansas Metropolis’s playoff spot and saved them within the race for the 2022 NWSL Protect, simply 2 factors behind leaders the Portland Thorns. The very best the Spirit can end is ninth, and after tonight, it’ll take some luck to get there. Not solely will Washington must win their ultimate sport towards Houston Sprint, they are going to want each Orlando Satisfaction to lose and Racing Louisville FC to lose or draw subsequent weekend to safe ninth.
- Silver lining. Regardless of permitting a number of targets, the Spirit’s protection did put out some strong performances. Aubrey Kingsbury and Sam Staab confirmed why they continue to be the defensive core of this workforce. Kingsbury made just a few massive saves within the first half, usually coming off her line to take down Kansas Metropolis gamers on break-away runs. Staab annoyed Kristen Hamilton specifically, squaring off towards the Kansas Metropolis ahead one-on-one within the field and successful possession greater than as soon as.
Field Rating
NWSL Common Season – Recreation #21
Washington Spirit: 0
Kansas Metropolis Present: 3 (Labonta 18’, Kizer 38’, Lavogez 41)
Lineups
Washington Spirit: (3223, 433) Aubrey Kingsbury; Sam Staab, Anna Heilferty (Camryn Biegalski 46’), Amber Brooks; Andi Sullivan (Trinity Rodman 46’), Dorian Bailey, Jordan Baggett (Ashley Sanchez 46’), Julia Roddar (Karina Rodriguez 87’), Bailey Feist, Tara McKeown (Marisa Sheva 74’); Ashley Hatch
Kansas Metropolis Present: (3142) AD Franch; Alex Loera, Kristen Edmonds, Elizabeth Ball; Hailie Mace, Kate Del Fava, Desiree Scott, Lo’eau Labonta, Claire Lavogez (Addisyn Merrick 79’); Cece Kizer (Elyse Bennett 87’), Kristen Hamilton
Misconduct Abstract
Spirit: Roddar 7’, Staab 27’
Present: none