Washington Spirit Vs Houston Dash: 3 things we learned – No Lavelle, no problem
By Drew Hubbard
2. Washington’s defense comes around
This game signaled the first clean sheet for the Washington Spirit in this competition. Through four games, they have allowed four goals, third-most behind Houston and Utah.
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The Spirit sent out the same back four for all but one game against the Portland Thorns. Goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe has remained a consistent presence, too. Bledsoe sits behind the center-back duo of Paige Nielsen and Sam Staab, while Tegan McGrady and Tori Huster comprise the full-backs. Natalie Jacobs replaced Huster in the starting lineup against Portland.
Washington allowed one goal in their first game against the Red Stars, one against Portland and two against the North Carolina Courage. In the game against Houston, the Spirit finally got the shutout they had been looking for.
The most impactful moment came in the 68th minute when Nielsen cleared a shot off the line. Otherwise, the defense was largely untroubled. All four defenders passed the ball extremely well. Staab, Nielsen and McGrady all completed above 85% of their passes and Huster completed 78%. With such composed play in possession and improved cohesiveness out of it, the Spirit looked the most defensively sound they have all tournament.