March 25, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Washington Spirit News Release
Washington Spirit forward Ashley Hatch (center) goes high for the ball
(Washington Spirit)
Washington, D.C. – The Washington Spirit will face Seattle’s OL Reign on Sunday afternoon in both clubs’ regular season opener. The match kicks off at 4:00 p.m. EST at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., the new permanent home of the Spirit. The match will broadcast on Paramount+ for fans in the United States and stream on NWSLSoccer.com for international viewers.
The Spirit
The Spirit kicks off its 2023 campaign against OL Reign in a rematch of last year’s season opener in which the Spirit prevailed, 2-1.
Despite trailing in the 28-match history of the series (8-13-7), the Spirit is 3-0-2 against OL Reign dating back to October 2021. The Spirit is on a nine-match unbeaten streak against OL Reign dating back to 2018, including a victory in a 2021 NWSL semifinal and an advancement after penalties in a 2022 Challenge Cup semifinal. Washington has only allowed two goals in its past five matches against the Seattle-based club.
Additionally, this match marks the beginning of the Spirit’s full-time residency at Audi Field. Last season, the team went 4-2-3 at Audi Field and had a +5 goal differential.
The Spirit roster returns key pieces including current USWNT members Ashley Hatch, Trinity Rodman, Ashley Sanchez and Andi Sullivan, returning veterans Sam Staab, Aubrey Kingsbury and Dorian Bailey as well as a host of newly-signed players including Gabrielle Carle, Inès Jaurena, Nicole Douglas and Chloe Ricketts.
Forward Ashley Hatch is the only NWSL player to record nine or more goals in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Last season, she netted nine goals on only 35 shots while tying for third-best in the NWSL with three penalty kick goals.
Midfielder Ashley Sanchez finished the 2022 season tied for third in the NWSL with a team-leading five assists. She was one of two players to put more than 40 shots on goal in less than 1,400 minutes played, joining Red Stars and USWNT striker Mallory Swanson (formerly Pugh).
Defender Sam Staab became one of only seven players to earn Iron Woman recognition in 2022, playing in every minute (1,980) of every regular season match (22) last season. If not for a red card that would later be overturned in the 2021 season, Staab would have played every minute of every regular season game in her entire three-season NWSL career.
This match will also serve as a…