<div>With a top-four finish and a home playoff game already a certainty, the Washington Spirit (16-2-6) entered Sunday’s matchup against Racing Louisville FC (6-7-11) looking to build continued momentum heading into the final days of the regular season before the playoffs. Dealing with numerous injuries to key starters (including midfielders Andi Sullivan, Croix Bethune and Leicy Santos, as well as forward Ouleymata Sarr), head coach Jonatan Giráldez put out a slightly rotated lineup, although much of the Spirit’s core from throughout the season remained intact. Star forward Trinity Rodman, who’s still recovering from an injury sustained three weeks ago in the Spirit’s 3-0 loss versus the Kansas City Current on Sept. 20, started on the bench. Rodman had exited that game in a wheelchair with spasms in her back. She had not made the matchday roster for either of the Spirit’s last two games, so her appearance was encouraging for those who hope to see Rodman in the playoffs.Additionally, veteran Spirit midfielder Andi Sullivan tore her ACL in the Spirit’s 2-0 loss to the Orlando Pride on Sunday, Oct. 6, leaving her officially out for the season, including the playoffs. Sullivan played an integral role in helping the Spirit secure their first NWSL championship in 2021 and has been an even more essential piece of the team both on and off the field since.The Spirit started the game offensively minded, earning three corner kicks and generating multiple good looks at goal through the first 20 minutes of the game. The majority of these chances came down the left wing, where leftback Gabrielle Carle and winger Rosemonde Kouassi found a great rhythm and were able to put together multiple dangerous strings of passes, many of which striker Ashley Hatch found herself on the end. Louisville started to work things out a little after the 20-minute mark, although the Spirit’s defense was able to come up with several great clearances to keep control of the game and continue dictating the style of play. Their tenacity was rewarded in the 36th minute, when forward Makenna Morris put the team up 1-0 with a rocket of a shot that had Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund beat. Just seven minutes later, the Spirit’s relentless attacks down the left resulted in a Kouassi assist that perfectly set Morris up for a tap-in goal. The Spirit would see the 2-0 lead into the second half.Louisville started out the second half with a good deal of possession and generated a couple decent chances. However, Kouassi drew a penalty in the 55th minute from a foul committed by Louisville winger Janine Beckie. Hatch took the penalty kick, cleanly tucking it away to put the Spirit up 3-0 in the 56th minute.The 67th minute saw Trinity Rodman enter the game to thunderous applause from Audi Field as she replaced midfielder Courtney Brown, her first appearance since her injury against Kansas City. Louisville did start to show signs of life, however, in the 76th minute. Forward Emma Sears, who had just entered the game a few minutes prior, put the ball in the back of the net. The goal was initially disallowed for offsides, which then resulted in a video assistant referee (VAR) check deciding that the goal was good, bringing the score to 3-1.The rest of the regulation time was relatively uneventful, although a great combination stop from Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury and defender Tara McKeown in the 85th minute prevented a Louisville goal that might have turned the game on its head. In the waning minutes of stoppage time, forward Lena Silano beat multiple Louisville defenders for an astonishing solo-effort goal in the 97th minute. Putting the game to bed at 4-1, Silano’s goal was the cherry on top of an excellent all-around performance from the Spirit. The Washington Spirit will look to continue building on their positive momentum this Sunday, Oct. 20th, when they return to Audi Field to take on the Chicago Red Stars in the second-to-last game of the season. Currently sitting in second place in the standings and determined to bring home a second NWSL championship, the Spirit will also be preparing to put on their best possible show in the playoffs. </div>

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WOMEN’S SOCCER | Washington Spirit Dominate Racing Louisville FC in 4-1 Victory

With a top-four finish and a home playoff game already a certainty, the Washington Spirit (16-2-6) entered Sunday’s matchup against Racing Louisville FC (6-7-11) looking to build continued momentum heading into the final days of the regular season before the playoffs. Dealing with numerous injuries to key starters (including...