The Washington Spirit secured a 3-1 victory over the Houston Dash in a thrilling National Women's Soccer League match on Friday night. The Spirit displayed a strong second-half performance, scoring all three goals after the break.
Hal Hershfelt equalized for the Spirit in the 52nd minute, setting the stage for an exciting comeback. Brittany Ratcliffe's powerful strike from distance in the 82nd minute gave the Spirit the lead, with Croix Bethune adding an insurance goal just two minutes later.
Despite an early lead for the Houston Dash, courtesy of Natalie Jacobs' goal just 59 seconds into the match, the Spirit's resilience and determination turned the tide in their favor. Jacobs was unfortunately forced off the field in the first half due to an injury sustained during a collision with a Spirit player.
The victory marked the Spirit's third consecutive win, their first three-match regular-season winning streak since 2021. It was also only the fourth road victory for the Spirit since the beginning of the 2022 season.
Meanwhile, in another NWSL matchup, the Orlando Pride secured a 1-0 win over the Utah Royals, with Marta making a significant impact as a second-half substitute. Marta, a decorated player with numerous accolades, including six FIFA Player of the Year awards, scored the lone goal of the match in the 68th minute.
The victory was the first of the season for the Pride, who had previously recorded three consecutive draws. The Pride now stands among the four NWSL teams that remain undefeated this season.
Notably, the match marked the first time the Pride played in Utah since 2019, when the Royals were first established. The Royals were later relocated to Kansas City before being reintroduced as an expansion team this year.
With a win and three losses to start the season, the Utah Royals will be looking to bounce back in the upcoming matches.
Both matches showcased the competitive spirit and talent within the NWSL, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
