In two action packed Women’s Soccer matches in two different days, the NWSL Championship bracket was set.
In the first of two Semifinals matches, it was a thriller between the Washington Spirit and Gotham FC.
In front of an incredible 19,365 fans in attendance it was Gotham FC getting on the scoreboard first with a goal by Esther with an assist by Yazmeen Ryan in the 56′.
After plenty of action between the squads it was in extra time that the Spirit tied things on a goal by Hal Hershfelt assisted by Makenna Morris in the 90+3 mark.
Going to penalty’s there was plenty of buzz in the battle of the two top goaltenders in the NWSL as both Ann-Katrin Berger and Aubrey Kingsbury got tested to see who would make the save in the big moment.
It turned to be Kingsbury coming on top as she made several huge saves down the stretch to lead the Spirit to the first half of the NWSL Championship bracket, as the Spirit won by a final of 3-1.
Then it was Orlando taking on Kansas City, with the Current having a chance to play a Championship in front of a hometown crowd on the line.
It was ultimately the top seeded Orlando led by Barbra Banda and Marta leading the way to a 3-2 victory and also helping the team to the first ever NWSL Championship match and setting the epic #1 versus #2 seeded matchup.
This is going to be a historic day for the NWSL as the teams meet in the first ever stadium that was built for women’s sport.
For the Spirit the trip to the Championship is the third appearance and the ladies are certainly riding high.
The Championship match is going to be a great one as during the regular season these two teams played well. The Spirit won the first meeting by a final of 3-2 on April 26, but then the Pride were able to gain a 2-0 victory at INTER&CO Stadium on October 6 by a final of 2-0.
There is a ton of good news for the Spirit as they are being honored for the play that they had during the course of the NWSL Season, as recently Croix Bethune was named as the NWSL Rookie of the Year.
To learn more about the NWSL fans are encouraged to click on the link below: