Coming off the heels of winning the Challenge Cup last week. The Washington Spirit was looking to kick off the 2025 NWSL season on the right foot. They did just that securing a 2-1 victory Friday night at against the Houston Dash on the road.
“We have to be happy because we got an important three points and we started very well … but the room for improvement that we have in possession is big,” Coach Jonatan Giráldez said. “We competed well, we defended well, but we have to move forward and try to improve and be ready for the next week.”
Prior to the game in Houston, the Spirit came into this game with a significant part of the rooster out with injury. The injury concerns grew, after another potential injury to one of their key players. Midfielder Hal Hershfelt had to be subbed off in the 66th minute after a collision led to her awkwardly landing on her ankle. Giráldez did not give any kind of status on her injury during the post-game. However, they did receive some good news in the injury front as they were able to count with the return of 2024 NWSL Rookie of the Year Croix Bethune on the active roster, but did not see any playing time Friday night.
Bethune had been out since August after suffering a torn meniscus ending her season. Meanwhile star forward Trinity Rodman made her first appearance for the Spirit in the season coming off the bench, playing 33 minutes.
Houston started off the game on the front foot offensively, testing Washington’s defense early and goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury early and often. However it would be the Spirit who would take the lead. In the 15th minute Hershfelt played a short pass to Chloe Ricketts, who laid the ball off to Leicy Santos. The Colombian International sent a cross into the box finding Ashley Hatch, who got her foot to it and placed the ball in the direction of Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell, who was able to clear the ball out, but the ensuing rebound would land at the foot of Makenna Morris who placed the ball into the back of the net.
"We had a good start here, a good start overall." Said Giráldez "The first half was good, especially defensively. We won balls back in the first half and converted our chances, which we created to score. I think the two goals we scored were deserved."
The Spirit would double their lead in the 33rd minute. Morris pressured Dash midfielder Delanie Sheehan off the ball as Houston was looking to build from their own half. Ricketts would end up with the ball and took a shot from distance that ended hitting the crossbar, but Hatch would put the rebound away, scoring her 54th goal in all competition for the Spirit.
“We wanted to press them, and I think we have the players and the ability to do that. That’s how the two goals came, from the press,” Morris said. “Just sticking to the game plan helped us a lot.”
Despite holding 57 percent of the possession, Houston was not able to get past Kingsbury. That would change in the 76th minute as Houston pulled one goal back. Ryan Garies headed down an Avery Patterson cross. The ball fell into the direction of rookie midfielder Maggie Graham who chested the ball past Kingsbury and into the net scoring her first NWSL goal.
Houston looked to get the equalizer, but the Spirit held steady to maintain all three points.
“We’re going to have moments where we give up a goal or maybe something doesn’t go our way, so it’s just sticking together and bouncing back from those moments and continuing to move forward and hold on to the win,” said Morris. “That’s what helps us win games, when everyone defends.”
After back-to-back games on the road, The Spirit look forward to playing in front of their supporters at Audi Field or “Rowdy Audi” as the team and its supporters have dubbed it.
“We need the Audi Field to be a fortress.” said Giráldez ahead of their first home game of the season “We need to get the fans engaged like they were last season.I invite everyone to come to the stadium next week to help us, to enjoy the game, and hopefully we can give them a victory.”
The Spirit will host the Kansas City current on Saturday March 22nd. Kickoff is at 7:30 pm.
