Entering Sunday’s matchup with the first-place Portland Thorns, the Washington Spirit could boast a renewed sense of strength.
All four of its U.S. women’s national team members — goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury, midfielder Andi Sullivan and forwards Trinity Rodman and Ashley Sanchez — were in the starting lineup together for the first time since the Americans exited the World Cup. In fact, the foursome had last started together June 23. That was a road loss to the Thorns, which made Sunday’s rematch at Audi Field an opportunity to generate momentum heading into the final few weeks of the season.