Goals by the dynamic tandem of Christine Sinclair and Alex Morgan came in the final five minutes of each half respectively after the teams played end-to-end action for the duration.

Despite hefty doses of possession for the Spirit through the midfield, the visitors failed to seriously threaten Thorns goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc, but did keep her and the Thorns defense honest throughout.

Following the Spirit’s four-goal outburst in their victory over Seattle Reign Thursday night, the lack of a goal was the first game in Washington’s history the First Ladies were shut out.

Washington head coach Mike Jorden could only watch from home on this trip due to unscheduled back surgery two weeks ago but will take some comfort from the team’s first win on Thursday, and look to build on the experience through the rest of the still young season. Assistant Kris Ward lead the team this week.

Jorden wasn’t the only key member of the team missing today, as U.S. Women’s National Team goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris was a late scratch after failing a late fitness test for a sore knee. Understudy Chantel Jones made her NWSL pro debut as a result, and was very solid despite the two goals allowed.

With the loss, the Spirit move to 1-3-3 for the season, good enough to hold their sixth place position in the eight-team league. The Thorns at least temporarily continue to hold the top spot, but can be overtaken by Sky Blue FC if they win the late game Sunday and overcome the goal difference tiebreaker.

The Spirit return home on Monday, and will return to training Tuesday at their Maryland SoccerPlex home. They board a bus for Boston on Friday to meet the Breakers for third time in eight games Saturday night (7:00 p.m. ET), with the series locked at two 1-1 draws.

Three weeks of rest follow, with the Spirit returning to home action at the Maryland SoccerPlex June 15 against Western New York Flash (tickets.washingtonspirit.com), for which over 2,500 tickets have already been sold. New faces are expected by that home date, with Mexican international Lupita Worbis joining the team next week after completing college studies at home. The closing of the first summer registration window June 14 also may result in unannounced roster additions arriving for fans to get to know.

Full Box Score – http://www.nwslsoccer.com/Stats/2013/3700630.html

Club Notes: Washington Spirit Reserves W-League team won their first game of the season last night in Maryland with a 2-0 score line over Virginia Beach Piranhas. Teenage local club star and James Madison commit Ashley Herndon had the winner for her second goal in as many games. Maryland’s Ashley Spivey scored the second on a full volley to seal the win.

It will be the second match of a three-game road trip for the Spirit, who topped the Seattle Reign 4-2 on Thursday to remain unbeaten on the road thus far (1-0-1).

If they’re to come away from their West Coast swing with two victories, they’ll have to overcome both the Thorns and their atmosphere, as crowds of 16,479 and 11,055 have packed JELD-WEN field in two previous home games.

Portland will also feature the talented attacking duo of Alex Morgan (three goals, assist) and Christine Sinclair (two goals, assist).

Morgan scored on a penalty kick against the Spirit in a 2-1 Portland win at the Maryland SoccerPlex on May 4, and the Spirit will enter the game knowing what to expect from the Thorns, who are tied with Sky Blue FC atop the NWSL standings but hold first place via goal differential.

“Coming off a performance like we had in Seattle on Thursday, there’s no better way to test ourselves than by taking on the Thorns in Portland,” Spirit head coach Mike Jorden said. “We’re gaining confidence and momentum as the season progresses, and this matchup is another chance to take a step forward against a very good opponent.”

The Spirit will hope for a similar performance to their showing in Seattle, when Diana Matheson, Ali Krieger, Tiffany McCarty and Tori Huster all found the net for the team’s best offensive output of the season, which tied them with the Thorns for the league’s top offense (nine goals scored).

Matheson’s goal and assist vaulted her into the NSWL lead for points (10) and a tie for first in goals (four) with Boston’s Sydney Leroux.

She and the Spirit’s energized attack will look to break down a Portland defense that has allowed just four goals in six matches, while also aiming to shut down Morgan, Sinclair and the rest of the Thorns, who are coming off their first shutout of the year, a 1-0 loss to Sky Blue FC on Thursday.

Sunday’s match can be viewed online below, with kickoff at 5 p.m. EDT:

With the looming threat of heavy rains throughout the Washington DC metro area for much of the day, the Spirit Reserves expected sloppy conditions for Saturday night’s match. However the weather seemed to spare the Maryland SoccerPlex, as field conditions remained ideally cool and dry throughout the evening.

As they did the previous Saturday, the Spirit Reserves surged forward offensively for much of the first half, launching numerous attacks at the Piranhas back line. Despite surrendering 12 Washington shots, the Virginia Beach defense held firm with the addition of several quality saves from Piranhas keeper Lauren Vetock.

With the match still scoreless, the second half began with some early pressure from the visiting Piranhas and Washington goalkeeper Didi Haracic was called upon twice to keep Virginia Beach off the scoreboard. The Spirit Reserves then regrouped and found their legs to resume pressure on the Piranhas net.

Washington forward Herndon broke the deadlock in the 48th minute after collecting an errant pass near midfield. Herndon drove forward down the left side and tucked her shot low and true, scoring her second goal in as many weeks on the season.

University of Maryland product Spivey entered the match midway through the second half and wasted little time on making her presence known. After beating her defender on the far side, Spirit forward Amber Stobbs slotted a nifty pass across the Virginia Beach box to the crashing Spivey. The Washington forward drilled her shot untouched into the Piranhas net in the 73rd minute for the 2-0 victory.

“We showed great character and energy in keeping a very hard working Piranhas team quiet last night,” commented head coach Mark Parsons. “It was very pleasing to see we are improving on the ball and creating chances.”

“A full team performance from all the players was key in our first important win of the season,” concluded Parsons.

The Spirit Reserves make the short trip south next week to face the Fredericksburg Impact on Memorial Day Monday May 27th. Match time is set for 5:00 PM at the Fredericksburg Field House stadium. Washington returns home the following weekend to host the North Jersey Valkyries on Saturday June 1st at 4:00PM. That match will be held as a special event at Liberty High School in Bealeton, Virginia.

Both teams have already played a game this season, with the same scoreline but different results. The Piranhas come into town with a 1-0-0 record having downed FASA Impact 2-1 last weekend, while the Spirit sit at 0-1-0 after dropping their opener 2-1 to visiting New York Magic.

Both teams will have the services of additional players this week, as more collegiate players arrived following conclusion of class work.

Fans wishing to attend the match Saturday may do so free of charge, but will need to stay off the team bench side of field 17, and are encouraged to bring their own folding chairs or be prepared to stand, as seating will not be provided at the satellite field venue, outside of the Stadium.

Rookie striker Tiffany McCarty notched the game winner in the 56^th minute, receiving a deft pass at the top of the box from Canadian international Diana Matheson, turning on two defenders and guiding the winner home into the far netting from 12 yards. It was the second goal of the year for McCarty, the second overall NWSL College Draft pick.

McCarty’s goal broke a 2-2 deadlock created when the Spirit allowed the Reign’s Teresa Noyola a clear header less than two minutes into the second half, which easily floated over a stranded Ashlyn Harris. It was the second goal conceded on the night early in a half, as Seattle opened the game taking a 1-0 lead when Lindsay Taylor side-volleyed in from 18 yards in the 6^th minute.

The Spirit spent most of the second half in Seattle’s end, with confidence growing by the minute, but never comfortable sitting on McCarty’s goal. Enter McCarty’s former Florida State teammate Tori Huster, who finished a header off Lori Lindsey’s free kick in the 84^th.

It was the second goal of the night created from a Lindsey set piece, as Ali Krieger scored the team’s second goal after Reign goalkeeper Michelle Betos made two strong saves in a row – first on a 19 year free kick from Lindsey, then again on a close range Krieger volley of the rebound. Krieger then tapped in a header alone on the goal line to send the Spirit into halftime up 2-1.

Lindsey’s impressive set piece execution was matched in midfield with Matheson’s now league-leading points production. Deployed in a wide midfield role for the second game in a row, Matheson’s grit, hustle, and technical prowess continue to set the standard in the league.

Long before the 5-foot-1 terror from the Great White North setup McCarty’s game winner, Matheson streaked down the right side to get on the end of a long service from her compatriot roommate Robyn Gayle, calmly controlled at full speed, held off her defender, and then fired a cannon between Betos and the near post that spun into the back of the net. Matheson now leads the league in points, with 10 overall, and is tied with Boston’s Sydney Leroux for the league lead in goals with four.

The Spirit (1-2-3) remain in sixth position in the eight-team league table on six points, but have the chance to move further up the ranks when they travel three hours south to play first-place Portland Thorns FC Sunday at Jeld-Wen Field (5 p.m. ET, broadcast live WashingtonSpirit.com). It will be the only trip to Jeld-Wen this season, which is also home to MLS side Portland Timbers. After two games there for the Thorns so far, the impressive downtown venue is averaging over 13,000 fans, by far the standard barer throughout the world of professional women’s soccer.

Officials:
Referee: KatjaKoroleva
Asst.Referee: Felisha Mariscal; Ray Moffatte Jr
FourthOfficial: Ian Johnson
Attendance:  1011

TEAM TOTAL                                               990         4        1           14               9        2           0          4          2           9         15

But the first step is getting past the Reign (0-4-1), who will also be looking for their first National Women’s Soccer League victory after dropping their last three contests. Seattle has suffered three straight shutouts since Jessica Fishlock’s goal in Week 2, but the fiery midfielder leads a squad that will still pose a threat for the Spirit.

“There’s enough parity in this league that you can always count on a tough match,” Spirit head coach Mike Jorden said. “They’re looking for their first win just like we are, so we know we’ll have to work hard and keep building off some of the successes we’ve had so far.”

The Spirit (0-2-3) lead the league in draws after finishing level with third-place Boston (twice) and fourth-place Western New York.

The team will look to lock down Fishlock & Co. while showing continued improvement on offense. Diana Matheson is tied for second in the league with three goals, while Tiffany McCarty scored in the season opener and captain Lori Lindsey fired in a stunning equalizer last weekend against the Breakers.

Seattle has been without its two biggest stars thus far, as goalkeeper Hope Solo is out with a wrist injury and midfielder Megan Rapinoe is finishing up her stint with French club Olympique Lyon.

In Solo’s stead, Michelle Betos has been impressive in goal, leading the league with 27 saves. That sets up an intriguing goalkeeping battle Thursday, as the Spirit’s Ashlyn Harris is also among the league leaders with 22.

Thursday’s match can be viewed online here below, with kickoff at 10 p.m. EDT.

In addition, fans can ensure their place at the Maryland SoccerPlex for the Spirit’s June 15 return against the Flash by visiting tickets.washingtonspirit.com.

Numerous area thunderstorms forced stadium and field closures throughout early Saturday evening, pushing kickoff to 6:00 p.m. from the originally scheduled 4:00 p.m. time; which was originally planned as a doubleheader with the NWSL professional game between the Washington Spirit and Boston Breakers in Maryland SoccerPlex Stadium.

Despite the delay, things could not have started better for the home side Spirit Reserves. Washington grabbed the early lead in the 6th minute when forward Tiffany Brown turned with the ball in the Magic box and flicked it to speedy teammate Ashley Herndon, who blasted in from close range for the 1-0 lead. This is the third year Brown and Herndon have played together and the chemistry showed immediately.

The Spirit Reserves peppered New York for much of the first half, out-shooting the Magic 10-3. However Washington was unable to solve the Magic defense to find the net and the half finished with the single goal lead.

The second half began much like the first initially, but as time wore on New York found themselves creating more chances. The Magic had a golden opportunity in the 71st minute, however Washington goalkeeper DiDi Haracic snuffed out the point blank shot to preserve the slim lead.

The Magic evened things up in the 75th minute when forward Brittany Pfaff slotted the ball through the middle for substitute Lorena Maggio to finish. Eleven minutes later, Pfaff herself would take matters into her own hands to break free near midfield and race in on the Washington goal. Pfaff’s low shot found the back corner of the goal to earn the 2-1 victory for the Magic.

The Spirit Reserves remain home next week to face the Virginia Beach Piranhas on Saturday May 18th. Match time is set for 7:00 PM at the Maryland SoccerPlex.

Boston Breaker midfielder Joanna Lohman scored the game’s opening goal with a one-time shot from 14 yards off a feed from Lianne Sanderson. Both Lohman and Sanderson played at the SoccerPlex under Spirit head coach Mike Jorden last summer with D.C. United Women.

The goal was well earned, as Jorden’s new 4-4-2 formation struggled to generate chances, providing several opportunities for Boston in the first half, but at least able to limit total shots on goal to three.

The second half would tell a different story. Jorden subbed two veteran players in Ali Krieger and Candace Chapman, inserting youngsters Kika Toulouse and Domenica Hodak. Whether it was the youth, the halftime talk, or just a will to win, the Spirit came out a new side in the second half

It only took five minutes to draw level when Diana Matheson picked off a poor clearance from Breakers the left back, found Lori Lindsey making a perfect run left-to-right across the penalty arc. The U.S. National Team veteran and team captain took one perfect touch to set up her right foot, then fired a goal of the year candidate rocket to the upper left corner.

The Spirit threatened the entire second half, never letting up pressure, going for their first three point game of the season, but could not get the ball past Ashley Phillips a second time.

Reigning NWSL Player of the Week Sydney Leroux could have stolen the game late in the half twice, but could only fire over the bar from 17 yards on one occasion and then whiffed off a low cross moments later.

It was the second 1-1 result between these east coast rivals in this young season. The Spirit now go on the road to the west coast to play Seattle Reign next Thursday and then down to face Portland Thorns FC on Sunday. Both games will be streamed live. The Spirit then head to Boston on Memorial Day weekend, before getting a nearly 3-week break, returning to the SoccerPlex on June 15 for a rematch with Western New York Flash.

The Washington Spirit are gearing up for their first rematch of the year, with a chance to end their homestand on a high note before packing up for a three-game road trip.

Saturday’s 7 p.m. kickoff will be their second meeting with the Boston Breakers, after a thrilling 1-1 draw in the season-opener. It will also be the last chance for fans to see the Spirit suit up at the Maryland SoccerPlex Stadium until June 15, when they will host U.S. star Abby Wambach and the Western New York Flash.

Fans can secure their place in the stands by purchasing tickets online at http://washingtonspirit.com/tickets or by calling (301) 337-8579.

Last week, a sold-out, record crowd of 5,011 came out for an exciting showdown with the first-place Portland Thorns and forward Alex Morgan, and this weekend brings a matchup of two hot-footed goal-scorers as well.

Boston forward Sydney Leroux comes in off a hat trick last week that vaulted her into the league lead for goals scored (four), and Spirit midfielder Diana Matheson is riding a three-game goal streak that has her in a tie for second.

Both players started and played 90 minutes during their first meeting in Boston, with Leroux netting a stoppage-time equalizer to rescue a 1-1 draw for the Breakers after Spirit rookie Tiffany McCarty opened the scoring. Since then, the Spirit have notched a second draw and two 2-1 losses, while the Breakers come in off a pair of wins.

With such an evenly matched game already in the books between them, the two teams are primed for another showdown that the Spirit hope will result in their first win of the season.

“Boston is a great club with lots of quality players, and we know from our first meeting that it’s going to be another exciting game,” Spirit head coach Mike Jorden said. “We’re seeing improvements as we move deeper into the season, and we’re looking forward to the chance to get the franchise’s first win in front of our home crowd.”

Tickets are still available for the match, and a live stream will be available on the league’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/NWSL.

GERMANTOWN, Md. — The Washington Spirit set one record Saturday night, but failed to improve on another.

The new professional women’s soccer team packed a sell-out crowd of 5,011 fans into the Maryland SoccerPlex for the visit of Portland Thorns FC, but could not complete a late comeback effort to improve on their season points total as Portland won 2-1.

Despite the SoccerPlex stadium’s published capacity of only 4,500 spectators, the Spirit were able to squeeze 5,011 fans into some standing-room-only and general admission areas Saturday, setting a new record for attendance for a women’s professional game at the intimate suburban stadium. The previous mark of 4,809 was set by former SoccerPlex tenants the Washington Freedom.

The match also drew 6,073 unique viewers via the NWSL’s YouTube.com live stream, for a combined total live audience of 11,084.

Those 11,000-plus fans were treated to a fast-paced and sometimes feisty affair between the hometown Spirit and the league-leading, star-studded visitors from Portland. Thorns FC went ahead 1-0 in the 12th minute when U.S. Women’s National Team star Alex Morgan converted from the penalty spot after being brought down on the edge of the box by Domenica Hodak, who was making her first start and fourth appearance of the young season.

Spirit goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris earned a yellow card caution from referee Christina Unkel for dissent on the PK call, charging well outside her area as the teams prepared for the restart.

Despite effectively managing the league’s most dangerous duo of Morgan and Canadian National Team legend Christine Sinclair during the run of play, the Spirit were undone by the rookie mistake of challenging the striker while she was dribbling away from goal.

But it would be a veteran mistake that led to DC going down 2-0 in the 51st minute when Ali Krieger had a pass in her defensive third picked off by Portland’s Nikki Washington just 30 yards from goal.

Washington easily settled, set herself and curled a low skidding shot just inside the far post for what would prove to be the game winner. Harris narrowly missed pushing the shot wide, but appeared to be screened and got a late jump on what would normally have been an easy stop for the U.S. National Team ’keeper.

A halftime substitution and formation change by Spirit coach Mike Jorden certainly changed the game in the First Ladies’ favor. Tiffany McCarty entered the match at halftime and joined fellow rookie striker Caroline Miller up top, who had earned her first start in of the season in McCarty’s place. Leading scorer Diana Matheson slotted to the right midfield, but continued to enjoy a somewhat free role, roaming end to end and seemingly always being in more than one place at the same time.

The Spirit dominated the second-half stats, outpacing the Cascadian crew in shots (9-5), shot on goal (6-2) and forcing goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc into five saves while Harris was called on just once outside of the Nikki Washington goal – pushing a strong long-distance bid by Sinclair over the bar.

The pressure paid off eventually, with Matheson earning an 85th-minute penalty of her own when she was brought down making a strong surge into the right side of the box.

The Canadian international faced the one player in the world who likely knows her tendencies more than any other in her compatriot, but calmly fired to the left side of goal as LeBlanc dived in the opposite direction. It was a team-leading third goal on the year for Matheson, who is quickly earning a public reputation as one of the best players in league to go with what most in the inner circles of the women’s global game have known to be true for years.

The Spirit would threaten again late, with a long-distance effort from Robyn Gayle deflecting out for a corner in stoppage time, and McCarty heading just over the bar on the ensuing corner. Portland managed the remainder of the clock off the ensuing goal kick to secure the 2-1 road win and solidify their top spot in the league on 10 points.

The road result gives Thorns FC a three-point lead on the second-place Boston Breakers, who will travel to Maryland next weekend to face the Spirit in Washington’s last home game at the SoccerPlex until June 15.

Next Saturday’s game will be the second in a planned doubleheader as the Washington Spirit Reserves kick off the inaugural game of the 2013 season W-League season against New York Magic – F.A. Euro at 4 p.m. ET, followed by Spirit vs. Breakers at 7 p.m.

Fans wishing to attend the W-League game may do so with their NWSL ticket, but will not be permitted to leave and then re-enter the stadium between games. Visit washingtonspirit.com for more information.