Francesca Ordega was the hero for the Spirit, scoring the game winner in the first half of extra time of the first semi-final between the Washington Spirit and the Chicago Red Stars on Friday, 30 September 2016. The captains traded blows in regulation. Ali Krieger scored in the first half for Washington and Christen Press tallied the late equalizer for Chicago.
For the first half our, Washington had the majority of possession, often pinning Chicago in their defensive third. Despite the early pressure, the Spirit couldn’t crack Chicago’s defense until the 36th minute. Tori Huster tracked the ball down after Chicago cleared a corner kick. She played the ball back to Shelina Zadorsky on the right flank who quickly fired a long left-footed cross to the far post. Spirit captain Ali Krieger headed the cross home for Washington’s first goal.
The Red Stars struggled to gain their feet in the match, finally finding their rhythm late in the game and just in time. Chicago created the equalizer in the 86th minute. Casey Short played a long cross from the left flank over the Spirit defense as Chicago captain Christen Press slipped through the Spirit backline. Press volleyed the ball into the far left upper corner to bring Chicago level.
In the 92nd minute, Press had a golden chance to put the game away for Chicago. She broke through the Spirit backline and beat the goalkeeper on the dribble. Unfortunately for Chicago, Press’ shot ricocheted off the crossbar.
The teams needed extra time to settle the match. The Spirit again struck first, displaying their passing prowess and scoring the eventual game-winner in the 111th minute. Katie Stengel got the ball deep in the right corner. She dropped the ball back to Christine Nairn at the top corner of the penalty area. Nairn combined with Diana Matheson for a neat little wall pass to beat the Chicago defense. Once free, Nairn sent a perfect cross to Francisca Ordega who hammered the ball home at the back post to put Washington up 2-1.
Chicago changed their formation in the 113th minute, putting Katie Naughton in and pushing Julie Johnston into the attack. Their efforts didn’t pay off and the Spirit won their first-ever home playoff game, earning a trip to the final in Houston on Sunday, 9 October.
Next Match:
The Washington Spirit will face off against the Western New York Flash for the NWSL Championship on Sunday, 9 Oct 2016 at 4pm CDT time at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, TX.
Lineups:
Chicago Red Stars 4-4-2
Naeher; Gilliland, Johnston, Johnson, Short; Colaprico, DiBernardo, Huerta, Comeau, Press (C), Walls
Substitutes:
65’ McCaffrey for Walls
70’ Da Costa for Comeau
113’ Naughton for Da Costa
Washington Spirit
Wys; Dydasco, Zadorsky, Church, Krieger (C); Nairn, Huster, Lohman; Banini, Ordega, Dunn
Substitutes:
69’ Matheson for Lohman
88’ Stengel for Banini
113’ Oyster for Ordega
Goals:
36’ WAS Krieger (Zadorsky)
81’ CHI Press (Short)
111′ Ordega (Nairn)
Misconduct:
57’ Yellow – WAS Nairn
122’ Yellow – CHI Johnson
