KELLY O'HARA SCORES!
Rodman is the provider as her cross across the goal gives O'Hara time to get onto it. Is Washington the team of destiny? With O'Hara picking now for her first goal of the season, it sure feels like it.
It must be destiny as goals from Andi Sullivan and Kelly O'Hara guide the Washington Spirit to their first ever NWSL championship. This match got off to a scrappy start as we saw why defenses got these teams where they are. The Red Stars were hit with an injury early as Vanessa DiBernardo had to be withdrawn for Makenzy Doniak. DiBernardo was already a game time decision but making it 13 minutes isn't what an injury laden Chicago team needed. The matcht was a cagey affair until deep into stoppage time of the first half when the Red Stars found a breakthrough as Arin Wright shook off Kelley O'hara to put in a looping cross which found the head of Rachel Hill.
RACHEL HILL IN THE 4TH MINUTE OF STOPPAGE TIME 💥 @chicagoredstars pic.twitter.com/6o1o63oHdf
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) November 20, 2021
Unfortunately, the goal came at a price as the extended stoppage time happened due to Red Stars' Mallory Pugh receiving treatment and she wouldn't return for the second half of the match being replaced by Danielle Colapricio. The Spirit got onto the board after Tara McKeown drew a foul on a tackle in the box from Tierna Davidson. Andi Sullivan had ice in her veins and buried the penalty bringing things level at 1-1.
ANDI SULLIVAN FROM THE SPOT! @WASHSPIRIT ARE BACK IN IT 😤 pic.twitter.com/dSTdFwItUB
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) November 20, 2021
Even with chances from both sides, the match would reach extra time but it was clear that the momentum was fully with the Spirit. With injuries and the effort that they expended to get to the end of the match level, the Red Stars were gassed. Chicago had to withstand a major second half onslaught, getting outshot 17-1 as Washington turned the screws to get back in the match. In extra time, O'Hara would score her first goal of the season at the best time possible via an assist from Trinity Rodman, who was everywhere today, putting the Spirit up 2-1.
TRINITY RODMAN ➡️ KELLEY O'HARA 💥
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) November 20, 2021
WHAT A TIME TO SCORE HER FIRST GOAL OF THE SEASON 🤯 pic.twitter.com/9sDm0EYL5q
Though, after an hour of being unable to threaten the Spirit, the Red Stars did not go quietly after falling behind. Aubrey Bledsoe and the defense had to withstand a late onslaught from the Red Stars to close out the match. Five of Chicago's 14 shots came in the second period of extra time. But, thanks to a couple of stunning last minute saves from Bledsoe, the Spirit secured their first ever NWSL championship, closing out a roller coaster of a season both on and off the field.
A FIRST NWSL TITLE. LOOK AT WHAT IT MEANS TO THE @WASHSPIRIT. 👏 pic.twitter.com/P9qyVl65r5
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) November 20, 2021
Rodman is the provider as her cross across the goal gives O'Hara time to get onto it. Is Washington the team of destiny? With O'Hara picking now for her first goal of the season, it sure feels like it.
I love my team so much💜 @chicagoredstars
— Nikki Stanton (@GutiNikki7) November 20, 2021
❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/lCtyZE7lCk
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) November 20, 2021
This season has been a wild ride, but two things have remained constant: Our love for this city & our love for you. Thank you ❤️
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) November 20, 2021
Don’t be sad because it’s over, be ready for what’s next. We're looking ahead and 2022 season tickets are on sale now.
🔗 https://t.co/z7jZuEEz5x pic.twitter.com/6FckzZ2pTR
Final. pic.twitter.com/jQm7wD7Wme
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) November 20, 2021
CAMPEONAS pic.twitter.com/5SkWVVKjT0
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) November 20, 2021
Arin Wright tries her luck from distance and it was just off target. Everyone is forward for Chicago right now!
Two minutes of stoppage time
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) November 20, 2021
2-1 #MKOT #NWSLChampionship
GILLY SO CLOSE
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) November 20, 2021
2-1 #MKOT #NWSLChampionship
In the 117th minute, Doniak was clear through but Bledsoe was strong on the save and the defense was there to clear the rebound removing the danger.
119’- SUB pic.twitter.com/V4bqzLNCHP
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) November 20, 2021
WHHYYYYYYYYYYYY
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) November 20, 2021
2-1 #MKOT #NWSLChampionship
AUBREY FREAKING BLEDSOE
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) November 20, 2021
Sub for Chicago
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) November 20, 2021
2-1 #MKOT #NWSLChampionship pic.twitter.com/vPrS5SclCL
116’- SUB pic.twitter.com/3FEJnuZCFH
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) November 20, 2021
115’- You know the drill pic.twitter.com/r0ZSwGhrQd
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) November 20, 2021
Davidson almost gets one from a broken set play. Sullivan tries to clear the ball almost leading to an own goal but safe hands from Bledsoe keeps things where they are. 2-1 advantage to the Spirit.
111’ Ugghhhhh
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) November 20, 2021
1-1 #NWSLChampionship #MKOT
Chicago looks for a leveler but it seems like they may be out of steam heading into the final ten minutes of the match.
metrobar DC watch party pic.twitter.com/L3My1mawOw
— Betsy Cavendish (@CavendishBetsy) November 20, 2021
And HERE WE GO
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) November 20, 2021
First half of Extra Time had concluded.
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) November 20, 2021
Another 15 minutes left to play
1-1 #NWSLChampionship #MKOT
Mood pic.twitter.com/l3cnGKRd1B
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) November 20, 2021
One minute of stoppage has been added
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) November 20, 2021
1-1 #NWSLChampionship #MKOT
101’- Roddar is shown the first yellow of the game.
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) November 20, 2021
2-1 #WASvCHI
96’- OH MY GOD pic.twitter.com/Ocm9yV9cuO
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) November 20, 2021
96’ Goal Washington.
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) November 20, 2021
2-1 #NWSLChampionship #MKOT
94’ Red Stars earn a corner!
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) November 20, 2021
1-1 #NWSLChampionship #MKOT
Washington is picking things up where they left off as Hatch finds space to test the keeper.
ET 3’ Miller gets in front of it!
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) November 20, 2021
1-1 #NWSLChampionship #MKOT