2016 NWSL Playoff Preview: Chicago at Washington
Estefania Banini (left) and Christen Press (right) battle to send their team to their first NWSL Championship game appearance
2016 Season: 1-1-0 All-Time: Spirit 6-3-1
On Friday night the Washington Spirit host the Chicago Red Stars with a spot in the NWSL Championship Game on the line. Both teams have previously appeared in the postseason but neither has advanced further than the semifinals. Last season the Spirit were eliminated by the Seattle Reign, while the Red Stars were upset at home by eventual champion, FC Kansas City.
The Spirit come into the postseason following their best regular season in franchise history. Although the team finished the season losing two straight including a 3-1 defeat by Chicago, which allowed the Portland Thorns to claim the NWSL Shield, Washington is looking to rebound and win their first ever home playoff game.
During the regular season Washington posted the second best home record, 7-1-2 while playing at the Maryland Soccer Plex. The Spirit earned a win over Chicago on July 9th, where Kelsey Wys shutdown the Red Stars with five saves. Estefania Banini scored in the 20th minute to give the Spirit the lead and in the second half Katie Stengel notched the second goal to preserve the win for Washington.
The Spirit will rely heavily on Banini, Stengel and Diana Matheson to help create offensive opportunities. In net for Chicago will be Alyssa Naeher and the back line for the Red Stars have been one of the best in the NWSL this season. So this Washington trio will need to capitalize on the offensive attacks in the Chicago zone.
Crystal Dunn has been fairly quiet this season with only two goals, but watch for her as the Spirit will look in her direction if the defense allows.
The Red Stars come into this matchup having defeated the Spirit 3-1 in the final week of the regular season; the win clinched the third seed in the playoffs for Chicago. Christen Press scored in the first six minutes to put the Red Stars ahead, 20 minutes later Cara Walls doubled the lead with a great score. Sofia Huerta would add the third goal for Chicago in the second half.
Chicago finished the season with eight shutouts, tied for the league lead with the Seattle Reign. Naeher is having a phenomenal season for the Red Stars since coming over from Boston. Naeher finished the season with six shutouts tied with FC Kansas City goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart for the league lead. Julie Johnston moving to the back line with Samantha Johnson and Casey Short has proven to be one tough defense to break through this season.
The Red Stars offensively will look to Christen Press who leads the team with eight goals in 14 appearances. Sofia Huerta finished behind Press with seven goals but has proven to be a go to scorer this season for Chicago. Red Stars coach Rory Dames will be looking for other players to help provide a spark on the offensive end.
Stephanie McCaffrey in six games since being traded over by the Boston Breakers has two goals and has found her place on the Red Stars starting nine.
The Spirit had 11 different players score this season, eight of which had three or more goals. The Red Stars had only two players score three or more goals and only five with two or more.
PREDICTION: Spirit 3-2 in OT
