Washington Spirit and San Diego Wave met in the NWSL Group Stage on Saturday evening, and the visitors took all three points with a 1-0 victory. The match finished at 0-1 after L. E. Godfrey struck in the sixtieth minute, and that proved to be the decisive moment. San Diego Wave moved up to fifth place with 39 points, while Washington Spirit remained second on 43 points after 23 games each.
Washington Spirit started brightly and kept the ball, but they could not break through. The home side had more attacks — 83 compared to 72 — yet only one big chance created. San Diego Wave defended well and looked dangerous on the counter. «By then» the home side had grown impatient, and their passing grew increasingly rushed.
The breakthrough came in the sixtieth minute. L. E. Godfrey finished a move and put San Diego Wave ahead. Washington Spirit responded with urgency, bringing on S. Cantore in the sixty-first minute to add fresh legs. The home side pushed forward but found the visitors' back line organised. «And here's the thing» — Washington Spirit had possession but no penetration.
San Diego Wave managed the game after taking the lead. Ludmila came on in the fifty-seventh minute, and K. Ascanio was added in the sixty-fifth. The visitors were disciplined, winning 24 tackles to Washington's 10, and they never looked like surrendering their advantage. L. Fazer picked up a yellow card in the seventy-fifth minute, and M. Barcenas was substituted in the eighty-third.
Washington Spirit had more shots, 6 in total, but only 2 were on target. San Diego Wave were more clinical with 6 shots on target from 10 attempts. Both teams held 50 per cent possession, but the visitors made better use of their ball. «To be fair», the home side created space but could not find a way through.
The result leaves Washington Spirit in second place, 4 points ahead of San Diego Wave in fifth. Both sides have played 23 matches, and the gap remains unchanged. Washington Spirit have not lost in three games, but this defeat ended a run of clean sheets. San Diego Wave showed they can compete away from home when they take their chances.
