The Washington Spirit will host Utah Royals FC this Saturday night at Audi Field, aiming to build on their recent success after achieving their fourth consecutive away victory last weekend against Chicago Stars FC. The match is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. EDT, and tickets are still available.
The Spirit is off to a remarkable start this season, having recorded a 3-2 win over Chicago, making them the second team in NWSL history to start a season with a 4-0-0 record on the road. They are now looking to secure a win at home, where they hope to please the enthusiastic ‘Rowdy Audi’ crowd. Notably, forward Rosemonde Kouassi scored her first NWSL goal in their last match and contributed an assist on Gift Monday’s game-winning goal. Ashley Hatch continues to lead the attack with four goals this season, and the team has benefited from balanced contributions, including two goals from defender Esme Morgan.
Despite a strong performance last season at Audi Field, where they boasted a robust 10-2-1 record, the Spirit has struggled at home this year with a current record of 1-3-0. In total, they have accumulated points in 32 of their 43 regular-season matches at Audi Field and are keen to turn their fortunes around. Defensively, the Spirit started the year strong with three clean sheets but faced challenges recently, conceding nine goals in their last three matches. They will need to bolster their defense, especially since they currently lead the league in saves, signaling that they need to limit shots on target.
On the other hand, Utah Royals FC is looking to shake off their recent struggles; they sit near the bottom of the NWSL table, just above Chicago. Coming off a 2-0 loss to Angel City FC, the Royals have managed to score only four goals this season and have not found the net in five of their last six matches. Their possession game is commendable, sitting fifth in the league with over 53% possession, highlighting their ability to control the ball, even if they struggle to create scoring opportunities.
Historically, the Spirit has a mixed record against the Royals, trailing 3-4-1 in all-time series. However, the Spirit emerged victorious in both encounters last season, highlighting a promising trend as they prepare to face Utah.
With both teams having their challenges, Saturday’s match presents an opportunity for the Spirit to reconnect with their home advantage, while Utah will be motivated to turn their season around and improve their offensive output. The Spirit’s depth in scoring and defensive improvements will be key factors in determining the outcome of this clash.