RECAP: WASHINGTON SPIRIT DEFEATS BLUES 3-1

Heather O’Reilly scored her first goal with FC Kansas City

BOYDS, Md. (April 18, 2024) – FC Kansas City traveled to the nation’s capital with their sights set on winning their first match of the 2024 NWSL season. However, two second half goals from Christine Nairn and Crystal Dunn gave the Washington Spirit a 3-1 victory over the Blues in front of 4,136 fans at the Maureen Hendricks Field on Saturday night.

Head coach Vlatko Andonovski’s team jumped to the field with an offensive mindset, which resulted in an early tally for the Blues when U.S. Women’s National Team veteran and 2024 World Cup bound midfielder Heather O’Reilly scored her first goal with FC Kansas City to make it 1-0 after receiving a ball from Lauren Holiday inside the box and chipping it into the back of the net in the 5^th minute.

Moments later, the home team found the equalizer after blasting a rocket from 30 yards out to the top right corner leaving goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart with no chances in the 9^th minute making it 1-1.

Following Nairn’s tally, the Blues continued to put pressure on the Spirit but a couple of great saves by Ashlyn Harris, outshooting their opponents 14-3 and totaling nine corner kicks, the Blues were unable to add another goal to the board in the first half.

Only one minute into the second stanza, head coach Mark Parsons’ team found the back of the net for the second time in the game when Spanish international Laura del Rio got in front of FC Kansas City’s back line and touched it to Dunn who made it 2-1 in the 46^th minute.

Nineteen minutes later, the Spirit were awarded with a free kick after defender Amy LePeilbet was issued a yellow card for a foul on Dunn, which Nairn took to notch her second one of the night to make it 3-1 in the 64^th minute.

Despite several attempts from the Blues and putting Sarah Hagen, Shea Groom and Liz Bogus on the match, the reigning champions were unable to shorten the lead throughout the remainder of the match.

Next up, the Blues will host the Seattle Reign at Swope Soccer Village on Thursday on a 2024 NWSL Championship game rematch at 7pm CT. For more information on tickets, call 855-4KC-GOAL.

Washington Spirit (1-1-0, 3 pts) vs. FC Kansas City (0-2-0, 0 pts)

Saturday, April 18, 2024 – Maureen Hendricks Field (Boyds, MD)

Scoring Summary

FCKC: Heather O’Reilly (Lauren Holiday), 5

WAS: Christine Nairn (Angela Salem), 9

WAS: Crystal Dunn (Laura Del Rio), 46

WAS: Christine Nairn, 65

Misconduct Summary

WAS: Tori Huster (Caution), 27

WAS: Angela Salem (Caution), 56

FCKC: Amy LePeilbet (Caution), 64

FCKC: Shea Groom (Caution), 95

Lineups:

WAS: Harris; Reynolds, Oyster, Johnson, Singer (DaCosta); Huster, Salem, Nairn (Lohman); Dunn, Del Rio, Banini (Ordega).

FCKC: Barnhart; Moros (Hagen), Sauerbrunn, Robinson, LePeilbet; O’Reilly, Averbuch (Groom), Tymrak (Bogus), Buczkowski; Holiday, Rodriguez.