Three Game Road Series Continues
The Washington Spirit (2-2-0, 6 points) continue their three game road series by traveling West to face league leading Portland Thorns FC (2-0-1, 7 points) on Saturday. Last week the Spirit suffered a 3-1 defeat to Seattle Reign FC, meanwhile the Thorns had last weekend off.
“The team understands the importance of this performance and is hungry to give everything,” said head coach Mark Parsons. “Focus is high and taking that in to Saturday will be key.”
Last week the Spirit played an even match against Seattle Reign FC, nearly matching the Reign in shots and shots on goal. However, the Reign’s clinical finishing was evident in the final 3-1 scoreline. The single Spirit goal came from wonderful combination play between forward Crystal Dunn and midfielder Joanna Lohman. Dunn threaded a masterful ball through traffic to Lohman inside the box. Lohman ran onto the ball from Dunn and slotted her shot into the lower right corner of the Reign goal.
Dunn has spent the week training with the U.S. women’s national team in LA, but will fly to Portland to play with the Spirit. Dunn was called up last Saturday to train with the team after Tobin Heath suffered a hamstring strain while training with the Thorns.
Two amateur players have been called up in the absence of Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger who are currently in camp with the national team. Goalkeeper Emily Lillard and defender Jennifer Skogerboe traveled with the team to Portland and will be a part of the 18 player game day roster. Both Lillard and Skogerboe were also called up last weekend for the Spirit’s game against the Reign.
The Thorns currently sit atop alongside the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL standings with seven points. Portland hasn’t played since their 2-2 draw on the road against the Chicago Red Stars on April 25th. Christen Press gave the Red Stars and early 2-0 lead, but the Thorns managed a comeback thanks to goals from Christine Sinclair and Mana Shim.
The Spirit finally return home next weekend to play Sky Blue FC at Maureen Hendricks Field at 7 PM on May 16th.
