Washington, D.C. (09/10/2022) – The Washington Spirit will take on San Diego Wave FC on Saturday afternoon in the defending champs’ first home matchup with the expansion side.
The Spirit’s national team players will return to Audi Field for the first time since May this Saturday afternoon when the side welcomes table-topping San Diego Wave FC to the nation’s capital. This weekend’s match will also feature ten rostered players who competed with the USWNT this summer at the Concacaf Women’s Championship, with the Spirit’s seven players being joined by Wave FC’s three. Among San Diego’s three USWNT players is current Golden Boot frontrunner Alex Morgan, who has tallied 13 goals in just 15 matches. At the other end of the field, San Diego has allowed just 15 goals in 18 matches, good for fewest in the league. In 14 matches played this season, Wave FC goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan has allowed just 11 goals for a league-best goals against average (GAA) of 0.79 among keepers with more than one cap.
Washington will see defender Julia Roddar return to action for her first match since suffering a knee injury during July 10’s contest against Kansas City. After notching a brace in the Spirit’s last match in Houston, forward Ashley Hatch now has seven goals on the season and is on pace to surpass her Golden Boot-earning ten-goal output from last season. With five matches remaining in the regular season, the Spirit will need nothing less than three points on Saturday afternoon to avoid being eliminated from playoff contention. The Spirit maintains an intact attacking third despite key injuries to its defending third and will look for solid offensive production as it takes on the top defense in the league.
The match will be broadcast on CBS and Paramount+ for fans in the United States and on Twitch for international viewers. Following the match, the Spirit will host a press conference with interim head coach Albertin Montoya and two players. Fans can stream the postgame presser via the Washington Spirit Twitch channel.
Availability Report
OUT:
Tori Huster – SEI left lower leg
Emily Sonnett – foot
Kelley O’Hara – hip
Andi Sullivan – knee
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