November 20, 2021 - NWSL Championship Final
Final Score: Washington Spirit 2-1 Chicago Red Stars
Chicago’s growing injury list was worrisome for many fans as they took on one of the hottest teams in the NWSL. The Washington Spirit had not lost a game since the resignation of their manager Richie Burke in late August. The starpower in the DC side is similar to that of many European giants. Technique, youth, and American feistiness led the Spirit to their first NWSL final in five years. These talents, along with resilience, gave them an edge against their Chicago counterparts.
Washington Spirit Lineup: 4-3-3
Bledsoe
O’Hara Sonnett Staab McGrady
Sullivan Bailey Sanchez
Rodman Hatch McKeown
Chicago Red Stars Lineup: 4-2-3-1
Miller
Milazzo Gordon Davidson Wright
Gautrat Woldmoe
Hill DiBernardo Pugh
Johnson
The Chicago Red Stars entered into the 2021 NWSL final with a mission to nullify the focal points of the Washington Spirit attack. Andi Sullivan and Ashley Hatch were marked out of the game for its entirety, forcing the Spirit to find alternative solutions. Katie Johnson created the first real chance of the half after capitalizing on an uncharacteristically poor clearance from Emily Sonnett. Bledsoe pushed the curling effort wide.
The Red Stars broke the deadlock seconds before the end of the half. Arin Wright took advantage of a stumble by Kelley O’Hara and lofted the ball to Rachel Hill at the back post.