Washington Spirit catch up to San Diego in NWSL table | OneFootball

MIAMI, Florida – With 11 weeks already in the books, the NWSL keeps delivering heart-stopping performances match after match, with the San Diego Wave and Washington Spirit leading the way in the standings.

The Spirit finished this week in second position in the table after downing Angel City FC 2-1 on Saturday evening for their third win in a row. In the 33’ Ashley Hatch scored the first one of the night after the ball hit the post.

Ashley Sanchez, who helped craft the first goal, got one for herself in the 41’, receiving a pass from across the field and scoring with a header.

Angel City pulled one back in the 45+2’ on a banger from Mary Alice Vignola inside the box. This wasn’t enough, though, as Washington are now level on points with the Wave (20) and just behind in second place on goal difference. Angel City are 11th with nine points.

The Orlando Pride were the protagonists of the comeback of the weekend, defeating current Shield Champions Portland Thorns 3-1 on Sunday evening. The visitors scored first thanks to the always efficient Sophia Smith, who in the 20’ received a pass in the box and scored her sixth goal of the season.

However, Orlando got back in the game in the 26’ on a free kick from Brazilian international Adriana Leal da Silva to make it 1-1. Leal da Silva didn’t wait long after the start of the second half to make an impact again, scoring her second of the night in the 47’ after controlling the ball, cutting through the Portland defense and scoring.

The third and final goal came from the boots of rookie Messiah Bright in the 69’, securing three critical points for Orlando, who find themselves in eighth place in the table.

The Houston Dash tied 1-1 with NY/NJ Gotham FC in Houston on Sunday evening. The visitors had the first glimpse at goal, but it was Houston’s Maria Sanchez who opened up the scoring by controlling a ball and firing into net in the 36’.

The second half started full of emotions, as in the 53’ the referee called a penalty for Gotham FC. Forward Lynn Williams, who has been a sensational player for her team so far this season, executed it perfectly, giving her team the tie, 1-1.

With this result, both teams went home with one point each, Houston sitting in seventh position in the table, Gotham in fifth.