Originally published May 16, 2014
The Washington Spirit (2-4-0, 6 points) are looking to bounce back with a home game victory against the Western New York Flash (3-1-1, 10 points) on Saturday. The game kicks off a crucial set of three home matches in which the Spirit need to grab at least six points.
The Spirit have faced teams in the top four of the table in six of their first seven games of the 2014 season. These teams include Seattle Reign FC, Western New York Flash, and FC Kansas City. The tremendously difficult early schedule for the Spirit may define the rest of the season for the DC-based club.
“This real tough start against very tough teams will make us what we will be this year,” said Spirit head coach Mark Parsons. “We are learning a lot of lessons.”
In perhaps their most disappointing performance of the season, the Spirit lost to FC Kansas City 2-1 on the road last Sunday. “After the game at Kansas, every individual player in the squad will be aware of the importance of stepping up,” said Parsons.
“[Western] New York is probably the worst and best team to face after a game like this,” explained Parsons. “Worst game because they are quality and will be tough, plus they are on a good run. [It is the] Best game because there is no hiding, we have to get straight back to it.”
The Spirit are looking to get straight back to it against the third place team in the league which includes national team stars Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd. Notably, this game will be Lloyd’s first after returning from a two game suspension for use of excessive force earlier this season. There is no doubt that Lloyd will be explosive in her return given how long she has been unavailable for the Flash.
The Spirit lost 3-1 against the Flash in their season opener due, in part, to a stellar performance from Vicky Losada who made it into the Starting XI because of Wambach’s fractured orbital bone. The Spirit have been fairly successful absorbing offensive attacks throughout the season and have been difficult to break down. If the Spirit can maintain focus during set pieces and limit giveaways, they may be able to nick points from the Flash.
One important item the Spirit have to address before Saturday is unopposed giveaways. “Giveaways have cost us points in the last two games,” said Parsons. “We’ve given two goals away by giving the ball away unopposed.” Off the ball, the Spirit backline has been fairly strong. However, needless giveaways near the box and in the midfield have been their downfall as illustrated by Amy Rodriguez’s second goal in their game on Sunday. Parsons added, “we’ve got to stop being the main assist provider for the other team.”
Parson’s doesn’t have many other options at center back beside Tori Huster and Toni Pressley. There are two defenders that will join the Spirit in early June that will help with depth for those positions, but in the meantime there aren’t many other options and Parsons said he views Yael Averbuch and Jordan Angeli only as emergency players for the back line.
Defender Bianca Sierra hasn’t started a match and has been used sparingly so far this season. Based on her preseason performance and the limited minutes she has played, it is surprising Parsons hasn’t utilized her more. However, that may be changing as Parsons noted “I think she is going to get an opportunity soon. She is very versatile and we know we have a very good player back there.”
The Spirit will look to get a considerable number of points from their upcoming stretch of matches as they begin to face opponents near the bottom of the table. Time will tell if they have been able to learn and improve from some tough losses early in the season against impressive teams like Seattle Reign FC and FC Kansas CIty.
Washington will look to avenge their season opening loss against the Flash at 6:30 PM at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Maryland.