May 9, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Washington Spirit News Release
Washington, D.C. – The Washington Spirit will face the Orlando Pride on Wednesday evening in both sides’ second match of the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. EDT at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. and will broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network for fans across the United States. International viewers can stream the match on NWSLSoccer.com as well.
The Spirit
The Spirit enters its second Challenge Cup match of the season with momentum stemming from a decisive 3-1 regular season victory at Audi Field against San Diego Wave FC. Three different Spirit players scored, including first-year midfielder Paige Metayer, who scored her first career NWSL goal. With a goal and an assist, Trinity Rodman became the first player in the history of the NWSL to record at least 10 goals and 10 assists in the regular season before turning 21.
In the team’s first 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup match, the Spirit was shutout, 0-1, by NJ/NY Gotham FC on the road. Several first-year players – Nicole Douglas, Civana Kuhlmann and Lena Silano – made their first-career NWSL start (any competition).
In 18 total Challenge Cup games, the Spirit has not beaten any team more than once but can change that Wednesday night. The Spirit’s first Challenge Cup win against Orlando came on April 3, 2022, its most recent Challenge Cup match against the side. The match resulted in a 4-1 victory that saw four different Spirit players score. In group stage Challenge Cup matches, the Spirit owns a 1-1-1 record against Orlando.
Last season, the Spirit advanced to the Challenge Cup Final, losing to North Carolina in the title match. That match was the only Spirit loss throughout the entire 2022 Challenge Cup. Despite this, the Spirit is winless in its four most recent Challenge Cup matches (the team’s 9-8 penalty kick edge over OL Reign in the 2022 Challenge Cup semifinal counts as a draw), with its last victory coming against Gotham FC on April 17, 2022.
The Spirit ranks first in NWSL Challenge Cup history in shots on target (106) and possession (53.05%) and ranks second in both passing accuracy (78.03%) and touches in the opponent’s box (456). Additionally, the Spirit has not lost at home in Challenge Cup history, making the side one of three teams (North Carolina Courage, OL Reign) to do so.
Following Wednesday’s match, the Spirit will travel to Los Angeles to play Angel City FC on…