Washington Spirit vs. FC Kansas City on April 19

The Washington Spirit will play their second home match of the season at the Maryland SoccerPlex against FC Kansas City at 6:30 p.m. on April 19.

In their home opener, the Spirit faced the Western New York Flash and took a 3-1 loss. During the first half of the match, the Spirit were able to dominate in passing and be consistent with their strategy in the midfield. Unfortunately, the effort did not bring a goal during the first 45 minutes. The Spirit finally broke through with a goal from midfielder Christine Nairn in the 50th minute of the match from a set piece. Nairn took the kick, the ball went high, and bounced once before going directly into goal.

This Saturday, the Spirit will take on FC Kansas City who have already penciled in a draw thus far in the standings against Sky Blue FC. Blues forward and U.S. international Amy Rodriguez scored the first NWSL goal of her career in that match.

The Spirit have three major threats to pick from at the top. Strikers Renae Cuellar, Jodie Taylor and Danesha Adams will be representing the Sprit offense and working together to get the Spirit on the scoreboard early on.

Also added to the roster this season are 2014 number one NWSL College Draft pick and U.S. National Team defender Crystal Dunn, along with USA teammate, midfielder Yael Averbuch who also join Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris on the US Women’s National Team.

“Kansas is definitely a strong team and showed their ability last year. That is a team that we have to face solidly and earn three points on. We have to have the belief that we can get those points. Today’s first half performance gives me the confidence that we can get after anyone in this league,” said head coach and general manager Mark Parsons said of the upcoming match after last week’s game.

The Washington Sprit will face Seattle Reign FC next in their first away match of the season. The match will be on Wednesday, April 23, at 10:00 pm E.T. at Memorial Stadium.

ABOUT THE WASHINGTON SPIRIT
The Washington Spirit is the professional women’s soccer team based at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, Md. Launched in 2012, the Spirit play in the National Women’s Soccer League, the premier women’s soccer competition in North America. For more information about the Spirit, visit www.WashingtonSpirit.com, follow the club on Twitter @WashSpirit and on Facebook at facebook.com/washingtonspirit.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL WOMEN’S SOCCER LEAGUE
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is a nine-team Division-I women’s professional soccer league featuring players from Canada, Mexico and U.S. The eight founding clubs are the Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, FC Kansas City, Houston Dash, Portland Thorns FC, Seattle Reign FC, Sky Blue FC, the Washington Spirit and the Western New York Flash.

Based in Chicago, the NWSL is supported by the United States Soccer Federation, Canadian Soccer Association and Federation of Mexican Football. For more information about the NWSL, log on to the league’s official website at www.NWSLsoccer.com.

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