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Richmond, Va. (07/31/2024) – The Spirit’s 2024 NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup came to an end following an action-packed, 2-3 loss to the Chicago Red Stars.
Despite controlling nearly 60% of possession in the first half, the Spirit entered the locker room without registering a shot on target. However, the Spirit led Chicago in final third entries with 33, along with seven touches in the opponent’s box.
Makenna Morris was responsible for a few chances of consequence for the Spirit, but her shots were either blocked or parried away before homing in on goal. Ouleye Sarr was on both the receiving and distributing end of chances, controlling the attack from up top. Over half (4) of the team’s touches in the Red Stars box came from Sarr. Andi Sullivan created the biggest chance of the match, sending a ball from the top of the 18-yard box just over the frame.
Nicole Barnhart, who replaced Spirit mainstay Aubrey Kingsbury in goal for today’s match, proved valuable, stopping a flurry of Red Stars chances about midway through the half. She finished the half with three saves.
Chicago, however, was able to slip one past Barnhart and the Spirit defense to earn its first goal of the entire Summer Cup tournament. Chicago’s Jameese Joseph utilized a breach in the Spirit backline to fire off a shot that Barnhart saved, but the deflection was put home by forward Jenna Bike to lift the Red Stars over the Spirit before entering the locker room for halftime.
Less than ten minutes into the second half, the Spirit knotted the score at one apiece. After Sarr won a penalty kick, Andi Sullivan – who was donning the captain’s armband in Kingsbury’s absence – buried the penalty in the bottom left corner.
Though, the tie was short-lived. Chicago, known for its counterattack, worked its strength in transition. After slipping past the Spirit backline, Joseph buried a ball past Barnhart to bring the score to 2-1.
With its back against the wall, the Spirit was undeterred. A run and shot inside the box from substitute Courtney Brown deflected off Sarr and landed conveniently at the feet of Lena Silano who smacked the ball into the back of the net, evening the score. This was Silano’s second goal of the Summer Cup tournament.
Chicago made a mass substitution in the 87th minute, and a minute later, Sarah Griffith shot a bomb from outside the box that whizzed by the outstretched arms of Barnhart, bringing the Red Stars in front for a third time on the night.
Ultimately, the goal proved decisive as the Spirit couldn’t level the match in the ten minutes of stoppage time, bringing the team’s Summer Cup experience to an end. The Spirit will look ahead to its historic friendly against Arsenal, who will be making its first-ever competitive trip to the United States.
In its next regular season match, the Spirit will play the currently second-ranked Kansas City Current on Sunday, August 25 at 12 p.m. EDT. This match will be the first match of a historic doubleheader at Audi Field. At 4 p.m. EDT that same day, English rivals Chelsea and Arsenal will face off in the sides’ first-ever matchup in the United States. One ticket gets you access to both matches. Fans can find these tickets at WashingtonSpirit.com/friendlies.
-NWSL Match Report-
Match: Washington Spirit vs. Chicago Red Stars
Date: Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Venue: City Stadium (Richmond, Va.)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. EDT
Weather: Sunny, high-80s
Scoring Summary:
| Goals | 1 | 2 | F |
| Washington | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Chicago | 1 | 2 | 3 |
CHI – Jenna Bike – 45+3’
WAS – Andi Sullivan – 55’ (PK)
CHI – Jameese Joseph – 60’ (assisted by Shea Groom)
WAS – Lena Silano – 83’ (assisted by Ouleye Sarr)
CHI – Sarah Griffith – 89’ (assisted by Jameese Joseph)
Lineups:
WAS: 28 – Nicole Barnhart; 34 – Olivia Stone (26 – Paige Metayer, 46’); 9 – Tara McKeown; 5 – Annaïg Butel; 32 – Jenna Butler; 39 – Chloe Ricketts (33 – Ashley Hatch, 61’); 12 – Andi Sullivan (16 – Courtney Brown, 72’); 22 – Heather Stainbrook; 4 – Lena Silano; 11 – Ouleye Sarr; 8 – Makenna Morris (13 – Brittany Ratcliffe, 61’)
Unused Substitutes: 31 – Kaylie Collins; 1 – Aubrey Kingsbury; 6 – Kate Wiesner
CHI: 19 – Mackenzie Wood; 32 – Taylor Malham; 4 – Cari Roccaro; 41 – Hannah Anderson; 13 – Leilanni Nesbeth (23 – Tatumn Milazzo, 84’); 5 – Júlia Bianchi; 20 – Bea Franklin (16 – Sophie Jones, 87’); 24 – Jenna Bike (11 – Chardonnay Curran, 84’); 10 – Shea Groom; 26 – Nádia Gomes (15 – Sarah Griffith, 76’); 8 – Jameese Joseph (34 – Ally Schlegel, 90+7’)
Unused Substitutes: 33 – Ally Cook; 29 – Sami Feller; 37 – Sydney Schneider
Stats Summary: WAS / CHI
Shots: 11 / 13
Shots On Goal: 3 / 7
Saves: 4 / 1
Tackles Won: 7 / 8
Fouls: 13 / 7
Offsides: 2 / 4
Misconduct Summary:
WAS – Annaïg Butel – 51’ – Yellow Card
WAS – Brittany Ratcliffe – 64′ – Yellow Card
CHI – Jameese Joseph – 64′ – Yellow Card
WAS – Courtney Brown – 75′ – Yellow Card
CHI – Jenna Bike – 77’ – Yellow Card
CHI – Sophie Jones – 90’+5’ – Yellow Card
