Notables – Washington Spirit vs NJ/NY Gotham FC

Washington Spirit  |   September 15, 2022
Notables – Washington Spirit vs NJ/NY Gotham FC Featured Image

Match Info:

Washington Spirit vs NJ/NY Gotham FC

Saturday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m. EST

Audi Field (Washington, D.C.)

Twitch (viewers in the United States and international viewers)

Get ready for this week’s match against NJ/NY with some fast facts below:

  • The last time Washington met Gotham FC was in early June at Red Bull Arena. The Spirit dropped a 1-0 decision while only having 18 players available due to injuries and players in COVID protocol. Newly-signed midfielder Marissa Sheva made her Spirit debut during the June 4 contest as well.
  • Midfielder Dorian Bailey can earn her 50th Spirit and NWSL career cap on Saturday night. Bailey was drafted by the Spirit with the eighth overall pick in 2019.
  • Defender Alia Martin can make her Spirit and NWSL debut on Saturday night. The former Michigan standout was signed by the Spirit last December.
  • Defender Amber Brooks scored her first career brace last Saturday afternoon, scoring twice in the first half against San Diego. Her first goal of the contest also represented her first regular season NWSL goal in over three years when she scored while playing for the Houston Dash against the Spirit in 2019.
  • Amber Brooks also earned her fifth yellow card of the regular season in the second half of last weekend’s match, disqualifying her for this weekend’s match against NJ/NY.
  • Washington’s four goals against Wave FC last weekend were its most in a single match this regular season. The Spirit last scored four times in a Challenge Cup match against Orlando in early April at Audi Field.
  • After allowing the latest regular season goal in league history earlier this season in Orlando, the Spirit set a new record with Ashley Hatch’s 100th-minute penalty kick goal to seal the win over San Diego last weekend.
  • Washington currently has ten draws in its 18 regular season matches. With one more tie this year, the Spirit will equal 2021 NJ/NY Gotham FC’s league-record 11 single-season draws. Ironically, this season’s Gotham FC team is the only side in the NWSL without a draw.
  • Interim head coach Albertin Montoya earned a win in his first match at the helm for the Spirit in last weekend’s 4-3 victory over then-first place San Diego Wave FC.
  • Spirit midfielder Ashley Sanchez is tied for second-most assists in the league this season with five in 15 matches played.
  • Reigning Golden Boot winner Ashley Hatch is currently tied for fifth-most goals scored across the NWSL in the 2022 regular season with eight.
  • Hatch is also tied for second-most goals scored in all competitions in 2022 with 14 scores between the Challenge Cup and regular season. Trailing only San Diego’s Alex Morgan (19 goals), Hatch is tied with Portland’s Sophia Smith and Chicago’s Mallory Pugh.
  • Defender Sam Staab has maintained an ‘iron woman’ streak throughout the 2022 season, having played in all 1,620 possible regular season minutes through 18 matches. Staab is one of just seven field players to hold an ‘iron woman’ streak at this point in the season.
  • Former Washingtonians
    • Gotham FC goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris played for the Spirit during the side’s first three seasons, appearing in almost 50 matches from 2013 through 2015.
    • Gotham FC defender and Dumfries, Virginia native Ali Krieger played for the Spirit in its first four seasons, appearing in 62 matches from 2013 through 2016 and leading Washington to its first NWSL Championship appearance in 2016.
    • Gotham FC defender Estelle Johnson spent four seasons with the Spirit from 2015 through 2018, appearing in 71 matches and scoring two goals.
    • Gotham FC midfielder Kristie Mewis played three quarters of a season with the Spirit in 2017, scoring two goals in 14 appearances.
    • Gotham FC forward Kumi Yokoyama spent two years with the Spirit, appearing in 12 matches in 2020 and 2021 and helping Washington to its first league championship last season.
    • Gotham FC forward Taylor Smith played for the Spirit in 2018, starting 23 matches for the side. Smith came to Washington as part of the trade that brought Ashley Hatch to the Spirit.

The match will be broadcast on Twitch for fans in the United States and international viewers. Following the match, the Spirit will host a press conference with interim head coach Albertin Montoya and two players. Fans can stream the postgame presser via the Washington Spirit Twitch channel.

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