Washington Spirt & WNY Flash Advance to NWSL Championship
The NWSL Championship matchup is set after a thrilling weekend of playoff action leading the Washington Spirit and the WNY Flash to the final held next Sunday in Houston. Both matches needed extra time to declare a winner as the NWSL gears up for the final match of its fourth campaign.
NWSL News: Washington Spirit and the Western New York Flash have advanced to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Championship following extra time wins for the two sides over weekend.
The winners advance to the 2016 NWSL Championship held in Houston on October 9th at BBVA Compass Stadium.
Washington Spirit vs. Chicago Red Stars Recap
The Washington Spirit advanced to the NWSL Championship for the first time in club history after defeating the Chicago Red Stars in overtime on Friday night.
In an end-to-end matchup at Maryland SoccerPlex, the Spirit were able to book their ticket to the final in extra time as regulation ended deadlocked at 1-1.
Captain Ali Krieger put Washington on the board first in the 36th minute off a ball sent in from defender Shelina Zadorsky that she headed home with authority. The Spirit were able to control much of the first half, but the Red Stars would come out in the second period looking to get back to their style of play and make a run at Washington.
The Red Stars traded opportunities with the Spirit throughout the second half with forward Christen Press knocking on Washington’s door in the final 15 minutes of play.
Press eventually found the equalizer for the Red Stars from defender Casey Short’s cross that she volleyed home from seven yards out. Press nearly won the game in stoppage time when midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo played her in a ball into the box and she danced around Washington goalkeeper Kelsey Wys, but her shot rattled off the crossbar.
Spirit forward Francisca Ordega recorded the game-winning goal in the 111th minute off a fantastic possession play from Washington. Christine Nairn exchanged a one-two with fellow midfielder Diana Matheson before Nairn delivered a low cross for Ordega to finish into the back net and send the Spirit to Houston.
Portland Thorns vs. WNY Flash Recap
The WNY Flash edged the Portland Thorns in a thrilling 4-3 matchup at Providence Park on Sunday. With the score tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, the traveling squad were able to book their ticket to Houston in stoppage time thanks to 2016 NWSL Golden Boot winner Lynn Williams.
Portland found themselves down 2-0 following goals from Samantha Mewis in the 16th minute of play and Makenzy Doniak extending the lead in the 38th minute. Christine Sinclair was able to get a quick one back for the Thorns a minute following Doniak’s goal to set up an intense remainder of the match in Portland.
Emily Sonnett’s tying goal in the 78th minute would force extra time and amplify the crowd of 20,086 at Providence Park – an NWSL postseason record.
The dominance of Williams was put on display in extra time as she scored in the 98th and 104th minutes to give the Flash a commanding lead. However, Thorns forward Lindsey Horan would pull a goal back in stoppage time of the first half of extra time to keep the match within reach for the hosts.
In the end, the tide was to heavy to overcome as the Flash return to the final for the first time since the inaugural NWSL season in 2013.
Washington Spirit and the WNY Flash will both be looking to win their first NWSL Championship next Sunday when they travel to Houston. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. ET and will broadcast live on FOX Sports 1.
Related Article: Houston Dash to Host NWSL Championship
Photo Credit: National Women’s Soccer League
