Washington, D.C. (07/01/2023) – The Washington Spirit loses, 0-3, to the Orlando Pride in the team’s first regular season loss at Audi Field this season.
With a start in today, Dorian Bailey recorded her 50th career start with the Spirit. She is the 13th Spirit player to do so in club history. Goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart, who is filling in for USWNT call-up Aubrey Kingsbury, broke her own NWSL record of being the oldest goalkeeper to play in the league.
Barnhart was tested early and often. In the 8th, the Pride took a shot that was deflected by Barnhart back into the box and onto the foot of Julie Doyle who smashed the ball into the net. The goal was Doyle’s first of the season.
The Spirit has a 1-2-1 record when conceding the opening goal this season and has conceded three goals within the first 15 minutes of play, second to only the Chicago Red Stars (6).
The first half went from bad to worse for the Spirit as Doyle sunk her second goal of the match less than ten minutes later. Doyle’s two goals in the opening 16 minutes were the fastest from kickoff any player has scored a brace in a regular season match since Ifeoma Onumonu (15′) in August 2021. The brace was assisted by Erika Tymrak – her third assist this season, the most on the Pride.
Less than thirty minutes into the match, the Spirit defense had allowed five Orlando shots, four of which came from inside the box. Orlando outshot Washington nine to three. The Spirit did not record a shot on goal, the first time since the season opener on March 26 against OL Reign.
The Spirit subbed in Chloe Ricketts and Civana Kuhlmann at the onset of the second half, and despite fiery efforts from both players, the Spirit found itself trailing, 0-3, in the 61st. The third goal of the match was credited as an own goal, but Orlando’s Ally Watt created the offensive threat that led to the goal.
It looked like the Spirit were destined to go the length of the match without a shot on goal until Kuhlmann tested Anna Moorhouse in the 82nd. The last time the Spirit didn’t log a shot on goal in an entire game was on August 22, 2018. Barnhart was the opposing goalkeeper in that game.
The game ended without any real fanfare as the Pride left Audi Field with three points. It was the first time the Pride swept the Spirit in a season series and was the first home loss in the regular season for the Spirit. Additionally, this was the first home loss by three goals or more since September 23, 2017, when the team lost to the Boston Breakers.
The Spirit travels back west to face San Diego Wave FC next Saturday, July 8 at 10 p.m. EDT.
TBD
