The Washington Spirit fell to the Kansas City Current, 2-1, on the road Sunday, setting up a Decision Day matchup at Audi Field with playoff positioning on the line.
Washington opened the scoring in the 12th minute when forward Clara Luvanga capitalized on a mistake by Kansas City goalkeeper Lorena. Luvanga stole the ball in the box and finished into an empty net for her second career NWSL goal, giving the Spirit a 1-0 lead.
Kansas City responded less than two minutes later. Lo’eau LaBonta took advantage of a Spirit turnover and scored on a redirected shot to tie the match at 1-1.
The Current completed the quick turnaround three minutes later when Vanessa DiBernardo finished a chance inside the box to give Kansas City a 2-1 advantage.
Washington also lost midfielder Hal Hershfelt to an injury during the sequence. Hershfelt was replaced by Mélissa Bethi in the 20th minute.
The Spirit controlled much of the possession early in the second half while searching for an equalizer but struggled to create shots on target. Trinity Rodman came close in the 75th minute with a shot that narrowly missed the top corner before Rodman and Rosemonde Kouassi each had attempts saved by Lorena two minutes later. Bethi had Washington’s final opportunity in stoppage time, sending a volley just over the crossbar.
The Spirit will return home for the regular-season finale against Chicago Stars FC on Sunday, November 1 at 5pm. Washington enters Decision Day looking to clinch the right to host an NWSL quarterfinal match.
